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10/21/2024 02:57 PMNORTH HAVEN
A proposal from Quinnipiac University to construct an adult learning facility at 5100 and 5110 Ridge Road in North Haven was met with mixed reception at a Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) public hearing on Oct. 7.
Quinnipiac University is seeking a special exception to renovate an unused church building at the addresses since it is located in a residential neighborhood. The university sees the building as a suitable structure to provide more space for its relatively new Lifelong Learning program. This is considering the building’s adjacency to Quinnipiac’s Mount Carmel campus in Hamden and the five-mile distance from its campus in North Haven.
Quinnipiac also believes that using the church “for institutional use” and as a potential contributor to the town’s economic development is directly aligned with North Haven’s Plan of Conservation and Development
Holly Raider, dean of the School of Business at Quinnipiac, said the proposed education center’s programming would have a focus on “accelerating the development of professional adult learners” and is aligned with state workforce development goals which address employee shortages and competitiveness in the technology sphere.
Raider cited the social worker-focused Health Horizons initiative and the Tech Talent Accelerator program as examples of this.
“The facilities at the proposed education center are thoughtfully designed around the needs of adult learners, and it will fuel the success of individuals and organizations,” said Raider, speaking to the project’s proposed interior infrastructure.
The facilities would include two seminar rooms and collaborative breakout spaces.
Alison Witherspoon, the director of the Department of Lifelong Learning, touted the impact which her department’s programming has already had on local communities like North Haven since its founding just two years ago.
“Lifelong Learning programs at Quinnipiac have supported career advancement of over 600 professionals in fields such as healthcare, education, social work, customer service, finance, and more,” she said. “Our learners are empowered to thrive in their professional pursuits to positively impact their communities, like the community of North Haven.”
Strong support for the center was addressed by senior faculty at Quinnipiac; Garrett Shehan, president of both Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce and Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce; Heather Gatchek, the director of health services and campus care HartfordHealthCare; Walter Mann, chairman of the North Haven Economic Development Commission; and North Haven business owners and residents. All supporters see the center as having the potential to enhance North Haven's quality of life and economic vitality.
One of the residents in support is Stephanie Magnuson, who graduated from and works at Quinnipiac. Magnuson said that establishments such as the proposed education center are vital for the growth and development of the community and would provide a positive impact on the safety and well-being of North Haven.
“Educated communities tend to experience lower crime rates and improved public health outcomes,” she said. “By investing in education for adults, we are fostering safer neighborhoods and healthier lifestyles for everyone.”
Opposition against the proposal was expressed by residents in the neighborhood around the church property and was mostly focused on traffic congestion, encroachment on neighboring homes’ properties, and light pollution.
Resident Bonnie Byers expressed concern about the negative health effects of light pollution emanating from the property. Byers said the development was on the “wrong site,” being located in a residential zone, and that it would upset “so many people that have lived there for generations.”
Resident Joshua Calderon expressed doubt about the economic impact of the center on North Haven as espoused by proponents.
“I feel like a lot of what was said were vague explanations of how one program in one building is going to all the sudden boost North Haven and Quinnipiac,” said Calderon.
Peter Madden, the president of the North Haven Land Trust, was concerned about the environmental impact of development at the property, including on a nearby pond and wildlife.
The proximity of a proposed wall establishes boundaries to neighboring homes, and the possibility of high traffic congestion in a residential area—partly due to a proposed 92 parking spaces—reportedly received concern from the North Haven Police Department, while reservations were also expressed by PZC Chair Vern Carlson.
“I think the whole site is overly done,” said Carlson. “I think they're packing 10 pounds of hamburger into a 5-pound box. I think it’s too much parking, too much encroaching on the neighbors.”
Bernard Pellegrino, the attorney representing the applicant, said the current traffic plan expects a “modest increase” in traffic and that “90 percent” of the activity brought to the center would be during workday hours on weekdays.
“We believe it’s a low-intensity use,” said Pellegrino.
He added that the applicant would be willing to scale back the development and meet with town officials, such as the police chief, if neighbor friendly modifications are necessary.
The PZC will have another public hearing on the proposed development at the North Haven Recreation Center on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m.