The recently-revealed plan by GOP First Selectman Morelli to build a bypass road on the east side of town reminds many of the Schlumberger Corp. proposal to build a large condo development on their forested site off Old Quarry Rd.
In 1993, Schlumberger requested that the town rezone 24 acres of its property from B-2 (non-residential office) to MFDD (multifamily dwelling development). In papers submitted to Ridgefield agencies, Schlumberger's representatives showed plans to build 80 condos on its heavily wooded property on Old Quarry Rd. The proposed development would have been close by the adjacent Great Swamp wetlands. Estimates at the time placed the value of the proposed condos at about $25 million.
Citizen opposition was swift and loud. Ridgefield Earth Alliance President Debbie Mandelbaum wrote to P&Z: "The proposed housing development and its paved areas might cause serious pollution of these [Titicus, Silver Spring and Saugatuck River headwater] drinking water resources. The vast wetlands would be significantly impacted." Mandelbaum's letter continued, "... most of the twenty-four acres of forest would be wiped out."
Confronted with widespread opposition to the plan, Schlumberger quickly withdrew their proposal. Little had been heard of the failed plan until now. Morelli's proposal for a town-built road through this same property recalled the Schlumberger proposal. It appears that Mr. Morelli's road would cover the same route as the road to provide access to the 80 condos in the 1993 Schlumberger plan.
The question which occurs to many is whether the proposed town bypass road, to be paid for by taxpayers, would revive Schulmberger's plan to pave over the 24 acres of forest and build a profitiable condo project. The new bypass will crowd Quail Ridge residents by passing with 20 feet of their back doors. If it also enables the building of these 80 condos, it would add insult to injury by reducing their property values in oversaturating the high-end condo market. A real estate appraisal in 1993 noted that Schlumberger's plan, if carried out, would probably negatively impact the values of preexisting condos in the area.
GO TO
Campaign News
Brought to you by the Ridgefield, Ct.
Democratic Town Committee, Rudy Marconi, Chairman
Paid for by The Ridgefield Democratic Town Committee, Mary Gelfman, Treasurer
