Connecticut town approves large apartment building with affordable units

This blog post takes a closer look at Woodbridge’s approval of a controversial new apartment development near the New Haven line. Let’s unpack what it means for local housing, environmental worries, and the ongoing debate over growth in one of Connecticut’s most affluent towns.

Woodbridge Approves Fountain Street Apartment Project

After months of heated public debate, the Woodbridge Town Plan and Zoning Commission voted to approve a special exception for a four-story, 96-unit apartment building at 804 Fountain St. The site sits close to the New Haven border and not far from Bishop’s Pond and the Yale Nature Preserve, which makes the proposal especially sensitive for some residents.

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The project, proposed by Fountain Ridge LLC, sparked strong opinions on both sides. Supporters pointed to the town’s severe lack of rental and affordable housing. Opponents warned about traffic, schools, and environmental risks in a largely residential area known for single-family homes.

Details of the Approval and Conditions

The commission approved the project with several conditions, including full conformity with materials submitted during the application process. Commissioners also agreed to change some zoning requirements related to roof design and excavation work, decisions that drew extra scrutiny from neighbors.

The commission said they didn’t see enough evidence that the development would unreasonably pollute or harm natural resources. They also found the building’s use, height, size, and overall design matched up with Woodbridge’s zoning regulations.

The Affordable Housing Argument

At the heart of the debate: Woodbridge’s long-standing struggle with affordable housing. Right now, just 1.4% of the town’s housing stock qualifies as affordable, way below Connecticut’s 10% benchmark.

This puts Woodbridge in the same boat as other wealthy communities like Weston, Wilton, and Darien. Fountain Ridge LLC argued the project would help close that gap by adding 12 income-restricted units. Of those:

About half would be reserved for households earning 80% or less of area median income

The remaining units would serve households at or below 60% of area median income

Why This Project Doesn’t Fall Under 8-30g

Connecticut’s well-known 8-30g affordable housing statute lets developers override local zoning in towns that don’t meet the 10% threshold. But the Fountain Street proposal doesn’t qualify because fewer than 13% of its units are designated as affordable.

That distinction became a local campaign issue. Some residents blamed recent zoning changes for increased development pressure, while Democrats countered that 8-30g—not local zoning reform—is the real driver. They pointed to another active 8-30g application at 27 Beecher Road.

Environmental and Community Concerns

Opponents of the project raised alarms about stormwater runoff, especially with the site so close to sensitive natural areas. Others warned of more traffic on Fountain Street and possible impacts on school enrollment—a common concern in towns like Woodbridge, Bethany, and Orange.

The commission acknowledged these worries but said expert testimony and engineering plans didn’t show an unreasonable level of risk. That’s a key legal standard in land-use decisions, even if it doesn’t satisfy everyone.

Bigger Picture: Lawsuits and Future Development

The Fountain Street decision comes as Woodbridge faces a long-running lawsuit. The suit claims the town illegally blocked affordable housing in the past.

Meanwhile, town officials are weighing redevelopment ideas for the 155-acre former Country Club of Woodbridge. This property could really shake up the local housing scene, depending on what they decide.

Nearby towns like New Haven, Hamden, Milford, and Branford are wrestling with similar problems. People are watching Woodbridge’s choices pretty closely—maybe a little too closely, if you ask me.

Pressure to balance environmental protection, community character, and the need for more housing isn’t just a city thing anymore. Now, even the most exclusive suburbs in Connecticut have to deal with it, whether they like it or not.

Here is the source article for this story: Tiny, affluent CT town approves controversial large apartment building. Some units ‘affordable’

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