Planning & Zoning Commission Special Meeting (linked)

Re:
Proposed Roberts Village Development Project
ATTN;
--Town of Waterford Planning & Zoning Commission
October 23", 2024
To Whom This May Concern cy
First and foremost, | want to personally thank you for your time, patience
and expertise at last nights meeting. As a Roberts Court resident and someone who will be directly
affected by this proposed project on many levels | appreciated feeling heard. We were reminded
countless times last night that most of our stances were purely anecdotal and were not to be considered
because feelings are not facts. | can say without question that the impact on this neighborhood would be
far more than anecdotal. Far more than feelings. Increasing traffic from a mere 25- 30 cars daily to
upwards of 275 cars will absolutely have impact both structurally and from a safety perspective. That’s
almost 10x the typical daily traffic on less than 210ft. Not to mention that a Stop sign from Roberts
Village into Roberts Court is not only not a priority of the developers but falls on the town & only if the
town is so inclined. While it might not be their responsibility it would have been nice to hear we were
considered by them, even once for anything. We were repeatedly reminded that our kids playing ball or
riding their bikes in a cul-de-sac (a common favorite pastime of anyone who grew up in a cul-de-sac like |
did) was “playing in the street illegally”— as if skateboarding, having popsicle’s (provided by any
neighborhood mom) and just being kids should be means for talks of legalities; “that’s what back yards
and parks are for” as we were redundantly reminded. Yes, America has fundamentally changed but |
know | can speak for the current 20 families who exist here when | say we come from all walks of life and
are comforted to know that our kids are staying out of trouble, exploring their neighborhood & just
being outdoors without being glued to a smartphone or video game. We are acutely aware of the kids in
our neighborhood & make their safety a priority. That will change exponentially. Last night | sat before a
group of polite, articulate, intelligent and certainly a patient zoning board. You listened intently and you
made us all feel heard and that in itself meant a lot. Thank you. With that being said what did bother us
collectively was how many times you were reminded “what your job there was tonight”. How many
times you were reminded that your hands were essentially tied and that due to “affordable housing”
loopholes you didn’t have much of a choice. Seeing a group of dedicated and capable town servants be
told what their job duties were and repeatedly be reminded about said loopholes that the developers
were so effortlessly jumping through was both condescending and disappointing. Following the letter of
the law is important and | am willing to bet based on your knowledge and professionalism that last night
Public Hearing
Roberts Court 8-30(g)
PL-24-14
Exhibit 35

was not your first rodeo and that the responsibility that falls on you is not something you needed to be
reminded of 57 times. We knew those developers did not think we stood a chance and their decorum fit
that narrative. Am | worried about the 2 barn owls on that property as well as the true environmental
impact of both the wetlands & surrounding forestry, yes. Is minimal impact to the current infrastructure
really possible with bulldozers and excavators? No. Am | worried that their HOA inclusive snow plowing
detail won’t align with our often-last road plowed detail, yes! Am | worried that our volunteer fire dept
will not be able to meet the needs of more people since we are already last in line, yes! | am
disheartened to think about the pending disruption of the tranquility and sanctity of our neighborhood
yet | also recognize it does not matter what keeps me up at night. What does matter is the traffic flow
from the “Roberts Village” to the cul-de-sac and the fact they are so adamantly closed off to any other
safe & intelligent solutions is confusing. Why? Why was a traffic expert utilized yet the one road that
wasn’t actually studied in person was the one road that will be impacted the most? Why were we
continually told that the walking path was 10ft wide already yet when measuring it last night in person it
was less than 2 ft wide. Why was “Affordable Housing” the hyper focus when 4 units is hardly a means to
adequately address this housing crisis that was referenced. It leads one to believe a few things--
Affordable Housing & The Housing crisis is being used as a ploy to develop the majority of the homes &
the four “affordable” duplexes (to be rented only) are being used as a means to bypass zoning laws &
common sense. It’s a known fact that developers know only a menial 10% of any development has to be
considered affordable housing. The integrity of this proposal is lacking just that. Integrity. If | truly
believed affordable housing was an integral part of their mission and that preservation as a whole was
on their radar while considering the needs of our resident’s things might feel different. The sole purpose
of this project is financial gain and that is okay. That is the great American way. It is however the lack of
transparency with sneaky loopholes that this development brings in its wake. The developer’s history
speak to that. With that being said last night was a testament to us that the little forgotten corner of
Waterford known as Quaker Hill was no longer forgotten. We saw that in your genuine response and
eagerness to do what was fair and right. We felt seen. We know that you have a lot to consider and while
that gentleman told you in more ways than one that your hands were tied and the only right way to vote
was in their favor we think there is a better solution that keeps our families safe while meeting most of
the demands of this proposal. We are trying to be logical but being continually gaslight last night by
developers, lawyers & traffic experts was exhausting. It reminded us all that its so important to speak up
& to be transparent in the pursuit for what is right. +We don’t believe your hands are tied. Your hands
are capable and responsible & deserve to be acknowledge as such.
| know | speak on behalf of my neighbors when | thank you for being fair and for your consideration of
our residents and for being of service to our community.
Sincerely,
Merin Moltz & family
7 Roberts Court