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09/13/2024 11:41 AMCLINTON
On Monday, Oct. 7 at 7 p.m., the Clinton Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) will open a public hearing regarding a special exception application to turn the Pierson School into a mix of senior programming space and affordable housing.
At a meeting on Sept. 9, the PZC unanimously voted to accept an application from the BCS Group to transform the Pierson School into a mix of 50 apartments for affordable housing, with a portion of the building being transformed into a senior center. The senior center and programming would be managed by the town. At the public hearing, members of the public can speak in favor, against, or neutrally on the application.
The new application is the latest in what has been a flurry of recent activity concerning the former middle school. On Sept. 11, the potential developers of the property, Xenolith Partners and HOPE Partnership, hosted a public information session regarding the property. At that meeting, the developers said the plan was for the 50 apartments to be marketed preferably toward seniors 62 and older. The developers also said a new wing would need to be constructed on the property. The lawn, gazebo, and statues would remain in place for use by town residents. The developers said that a parking easement for the church next to the school will also be put in place, so that church attendees can continue to park in the lot. The developers are proposing 90 total parking spots with 50 earmarked for residents, 30 for the church, and 10 dedicated to the public.
A special town meeting will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. at Town Hall for residents to approve the pending sale of the school for $500,000. A public hearing will also occur prior to that meeting at 6 p.m.
Furthermore, a public hearing regarding a proposed tax abatement ordinance for affordable housing projects is scheduled to have a public hearing on Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall. If the ordinance is approved, the developers of the school will apply for the abatement. The town is under not any obligation to grant an abatement, and the exact terms could be negotiated.
The Pierson School was first closed in 2018 following a feasibility study which recommended the move. Since then, the town has done several workshops and studies aimed at finding a new use for the building. After more than five years from when the school’s closure was first recommended, the Town Council unexpectedly announced the potential sale to Xenolith Partners and HOPE Partnership in late December 2023. Since then, the potential developers have conducted due diligence on the property in preparation for the potential sale. The developers would have until August 2026 to close on the property according to a sales agreement with the town. Per the Sept. 11 meeting, the developers anticipate a constriction completion date of summer 2027.