Neighbors Against Pawcatuck Subdivision Create Blog

A recently introduced blog dubbed Love The Loop is trying to raise awareness about a Cherenzia Company proposal to build a 68-unit attached housing development atn the intersection of Mary Hall and Greenhaven roads in Pawcatuck.

Attached houses are low-rise homes joined by a shared wall; also known as row, or town-houses.

The blog, managed by Pawcatuck resident Peg Moran, was created so people will “hear our story.”

Moran was one of nearly 40 people in attendance at a recent Planning and Zoning Commission . In addition to the attached houses, the project also includes a total of 11 single-family homes, not yet built, on the perimeter of the site.

A number of neighbors spoke at the hearing in opposition to the proposal, alleging it is inconsistent with the “character of the neighborhood,” among other concerns.  Moran said if the project goes “south” neighbors would be left with “blight.” Moran lives on Mary Hall Road.

Moran and her neighbors have taken their not-in-my-backyard case to the web.

“Having a presence online is an important part of our campaign,” Moran said. “But our approach also includes handing out brochures, posting signs, speaking to audiences, gathering neighbors together to talk, writing letters to the editor, arranging newspaper coverage and building our own website.”

The Richard Panciera Remainder Trust II owns the property. At the public hearing, Panciera Trust treasurer Thomas J. Ligouri Jr. was joined by the project architect and various project engineers to describe the plan; New England house styles, many similar to those found in Stonington Borough, located in a village-style setting with winding pathways, open space, native landscaping, a clubhouse, pool and recreation areas.

Ligouri said three years of study have gone into the proposal and it has all required permits and approvals. The attached homes would range in price from $275,000 to $310,000.  

The applicant is confident, Ligouri said, that the project is in compliance with all town regulations and requirements and said that despite comments to the contrary, the project would not have any greater impact on the neighborhood than would a “traditional single-family home subdivision.”

Moran disagreed and created the blog, she said, because, “neighbors and other town residents need to really understand the impact of such an urban-style, high-density development on our neighborhood. If there are parts of the plan that are disturbing, we want to create conversations about those points.”

Moran described her website, www.lovetheloop.blogspot.com,  as “democracy in action.”

The next public hearing on the proposal is slated for August 2 at 7:30 p.m., at Pawcatuck Middle School.