Cherenzia Condo Development Now In Hands Of PZC

Midnight came and went, and still, the Planning and Zoning Commission public hearing on the proposal for a 68-unit attached-housing development near the intersection of Mary Hall and Greenhaven Roads in Pawcatuck continued. And continued. 

“I’ll be here until 6 in the morning, if I have to,” acting chairman Ben Tamsky advised, though it was unlikely much more could be said on the controversial project being developed by Cherenzia Companies for the Richard C. Panciera Remainder Charitable Trust. Controversial because nearly 700 neighbors, abutters and others, signed a petition opposing the development for the 58-acre site, their objections included the plan was not in keeping with the character of the neighborhood of single family homes, among myriad other issues.

But the hearing, the very last time either the applicant or opponents would have a chance to speak publicly on the plan, was at turns redundant and technical, heated and accusatory, with at least two occasions when some in the audience wagered “this could come to blows.”

PZC member Rob Marseglia, who made no bones about his concerns for the “hundreds of people that don’t want this thing,” engaged Thomas J. Ligouri Jr., Cherenzia treasurer and project attorney complaining that the blasting of ledge to prepare for building was a major issue for neighbors and asked if “the applicant would withdraw their application.”

“On what basis would we do that,” LIgouri asked.

“On the basis of being a good neighbor,” Marseglia said which drew applause and cheers from the audience—the two dozen who had remained despite the late hour.

“We are good neighbors” Ligouri said. “We live here. We provide jobs here. We’re headquartered on the same road [in Pawcatuck]. We employ area people. We’re a large Stonington taxpayer. This project means jobs.” He listed local vendors and businesses that will be part of the project: local concrete and asphalt, UBS building materials, a Stonington-based electrician, a local plumber, an area gas company and on.

“And that’s just a smattering. We have been up front from the beginning, followed every regulation,” Ligouri said. But his most personal and pointed comments came in response to the allegation by neighbors’ attorney Mark Kepple that Town Director of Planning Bill Haase had an improper relationship with Cherenzia.

“We resent the [accusation] of wrongdoing,” Ligouri said.

Just before midnight, after a confrontation between Ligouri and an opponent, the last of the neighbors and other objectors made their way to the podium.

“Does it matter to you that there were 150 people here [Monday] and 75 tonight,” asked neighbor Peg Moran. Moran has been an outspoken critic of the plan and one of the original lobbyists for the project opponent movement; she even created a blog, , devoted to keeping residents up on every new study, data or scrap of paper added to the file. “I just want to make sure.”

The PZC now has 65 days to issue its decision. And while the development is permitted by right in the zone, it is unacceptable to many neighbors who claim 68 condos don’t fit.