Developer questions P&Z vision
The stagnated residents of West Haven should consider moving to Canada where socialism is an accepted practice, I’ve moved here from Canada because I don’t value socialism, I value the opportunity for prosperity this country offers, especially by creating value in making others live a better quality of life, these complaining neighbors can’t even imagine. The neighbors who spoke against the proposed project had two years to purchase this property and fulfill their dreams. Nothing stopped them besides their lack of a vision. If they wanted something they should have purchased the property and done it for themselves.
Unemployed residents living off my tax dollars have more rights as to the future of this property than the actual taxpayer owner of the property, the fact of the matter is this property has been on the market for three years and no one has shown any interest in it.
Developers do not want to bring business to West Haven, business is moving out of West Haven not in, as no one believes that West Haven is accommodating. The City of West Haven is an unwelcoming town to innovation and change. I’m thinking out of the box because change is needed in West Haven. All those commissioners of the Planning & Zoning Commission, who created the plan of conservation and development, think they did the town justice with their opinions. The fact that they are both the judge and jury is absurd and just not a democratic process.
When the town wakes up and smells the coffee, and this project goes ahead, 150-200 residents of West Haven will be better off than they are now. Those future residents will also have rights, and they shouldn’t lose out because of a non-progressive, stagnated board of P&Z commissioners.
When the question was posed to the commissioners on what feasible, practical plan they want to see for 855 Boston Post Road property, they came up with nothing, only dreams and hopes, no visions or plans. If they wanted their dreams to come true, they should have purchased it and made it happen. The fact is, no one is moving a business into West Haven because of the current negative climate concerning accommodating business growth and development. Mixed messages are sent.
Leaders say they want a revitalized and prosperous commercial corridor, but they do nothing to incentivize such a project. they think that by being an obstacle somehow development will happen. The State offers an Enterprise Zone, which includes this corridor, but they push potential development away. Investing $25-30 million into the town can’t in any way cause a negative reaction to anyone. It will have a lasting positive effect and will increase the quality of life for all those surrounding.
They expect me to bring them a proposal that satisfies their needs, but P&Z can’t point to one other property on the Boston Post Road that has added value over the last 20 years they would like me to use as guidance. As it stands, the status quo will remain until a more diverse, conservative Planning & Zoning Commission is established that has a plan and vision, not a dream and hope.
Thinking that Sam’s-Club and Lowe’s going out of business in Orange and turning into an Amazon parking and truck terminal is what we should strive for here is misguided. It’s time for introspection as to where our priorities are.
I personally think we need a realignment of our priorities. Caving into Amazon and stepping over small business is small minded. Orange is allowing for Amazon to take over two major commercial properties is, I believe, a cowardly move. Mixed-use commercial opportunities that bring LIFE and revitalization to the neighborhood are conservation and development. Taking more power away from small Mom and Pop Shops transferring to Amazon is not where the future of our development should be.
Our proposal did not remove the commercial aspects of this property. With our proposal we added triple the amount of commercial use at this location. It satisfies revitalization of the property to the best possible use; and, to date, there has not been any proposals, plans, or visions set forth that are even a fraction of the amount of good our project would create.
Leah Aber
Land Owner
855 Orange Avenue LLC