Courier Endorses South Park Plan

Last week's Courier endorsed the town's proposed purchase of South Park. If you missed it, here it is:



We have been convinced.
The town’s plan to purchase land on South Park Avenue to prevent a high-density housing application from coming to fruition is in Easton’s best interest. The plan, should it receive taxpayers’ approval at a referendum next Tuesday, would have the town purchase 30 acres for $6.15 million. The town would then sell a lease/purchase option to a nonprofit Christian organization that hopes to build a prayer center on the site.
No, the plan is not perfect, as former First Selectman Bill Kupinse said at Monday’s town meeting. But if voters reject it, Easton would be faced with a lawsuit it is likely to lose, resulting in the construction of up to 72 units of cluster housing that would shatter the town’s zoning regulations and open the door for future high-density development.
Faced with that alternative, this deal is a godsend.
The town’s major boards and commissions, representing most, if not all, local elected officials, are behind this deal. Additionally, a study commissioned by the town’s Land Preservation and Acquisition Authority determined that a high-density housing project would cost taxpayers between $3 million and $24 million to cover the cost of educating the additional schoolchildren expected to flood into town.
Even if the New England Prayer Center can’t raise the money to purchase the land in two years, the town can still recoup the money through the sale of the lots. It may be a bit of a gamble, especially in this wretched housing market. However, the land would at least be in the control of the town.
Some are suspicious of who might be benefiting from this deal. Inevitably someone is making money from this plan, but Easton gains as well.
The land in question is a gateway to the town. As we’ve said before, the fate of these 30 acres will impact the future of the entire town.
Vote Yes for the land purchase at Tuesday’s referendum.