Quinnipiac University is once again planning to expand its campus. This time into the residential neighborhood of upper Ridge Road near the intersection with Mt. Carmel Avenue.

The plan is to build an “education center” and a 94-car parking lot at 5100 Ridge Road that will be open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. That is 15 hours a day, seven days a week. This neighborhood and its families will be subject to an endless stream of traffic and people.

Even North Haven Police Chief Kevin J. Glenn, in a letter dated Oct. 3, 2024, stated, “In my professional opinion, I do not believe this project would be in the best interest of the surrounding residents and individuals traveling in the area. The increased traffic and a request for stop signs at a nearby intersection would create potential for vehicular accidents.”

For anyone who lives or travels near upper Ridge Road and Mt. Carmel Avenue, this will likely be a traffic nightmare and may require a regular North Haven Police presence to manage the volume of traffic. Will the taxpayers of North Haven foot the bill?

Furthermore, this “education center” offers no benefit to the residents of North Haven. It will not generate property tax revenue nor offer programming or opportunities to North Haven youth or adults. The entire plan is ill-conceived and inappropriate for a residential neighborhood.

North Haven residents, please come to the next Planning and Zoning Commission meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. in the Park and Recreation Center gymnasium and voice your opposition to this wrong time, wrong location for Quinnipiac University to expand their campus into a residential neighborhood. Your neighborhood could be next on the list!

Jim Johnson

North Haven