CLINTON

Following a public hearing at a special Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) meeting on Oct. 16, the the Clinton PZC unanimously voted to approve an application for the redevelopment of the Pierson School into a mix of housing and a senior center run by the town.

At a special town meeting on Sept. 25, Clinton residents voted by a 154-33 margin to sell the Pierson School to developers Xenolith Partners and HOPE Partnership for $500,000. With the sale approved, the developers needed approval from the PZC to proceed with the project.

Per a presentation made by the developers, the application calls for the school to be turned into 50 apartments which would be preferably marked toward seniors aged 62 and older. The developers also said that a new wing would need to be constructed on the property. The new wing would be three stories and accommodate about 20 of the apartments.

The gymnasium would be leased back to the town for $1 for use as a senior center. The town will be responsible for the programming and operational costs of the senior center. The lawn, gazebo, and statues on the property 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. Members of the public would also be able to park in the 30 church spots when there are no events going on at the church.

The proposed housing component of the development would include a mix of studio and one-bedroom apartments. During the presentation, the developers said the studio apartments would be about 600 square feet, while the one-bedroom apartments would be about 650 to 850 square feet.

PZC chairman Mike Rossi called the plan which was presented to the commission “very well-designed.” The PZC approved the unanimously application.

No members of the public chose to speak during the public hearing portion of the meeting.

Next Steps

Even with the PZC approval in place, it may still be some time until there is action on the building. On Sept. 18, the Town Council passed a new ordinance allowing for a tax abatement for nonprofit entities which are building affordable housing. While the ordinance can apply to any developer which meets certain criteria and isn’t necessarily just for Pierson, the developers said the abatement would be needed to help build the Pierson project.

The developers have said in the past that they are seeking a 32-year abatement during which zero taxes would be paid during the two-year constriction period. After those taxes, $500 per unit would be assessed with 2% escalations for 30 years. The Town Council would need to negotiate and approve any agreement with the developers now that the ordinance is passed and the sale approved.

The development team said it would begin the applications with the state to get necessary approvals and funding in place during the fall of 2024 and spring of 2025. The developers anticipate a construction start date of November 2025 and a completion date of June 2027.