Politics & Government

University's Plans for Hubbell Property Hit Snag

The Orange Zoning Board of Appeals denies the University of New Haven's variance request that would have allowed it to locate its graduate programs at the former Hubbell property.


It's back to the drawing board for the University of New Haven.

The university's proposal to move some of its graduate programs to the former Hubbell Property in Orange hit a snag last week when the Zoning Board of Appeals shot down a variance request needed to proceed.

The denial came on the same night that a public hearing was held — April 1.

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The University of New Haven was seeking a variance of the zoning regulations relating to setback for parking areas and to waive the requirement for planted islands within the parking areas.

"The request is for three new parking areas on the property, to be implemented in two phases as deemed necessary," according to draft meeting minutes obtained by Patch. "The proposed graduate school will hold evening classes with staggered start times. There will be minimal use of the property on weekends and during the summer months."

Find out what's happening in Orangewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The three new parking lots (identified by letters on the plans) would have the following number of spaces:

  • Lot A — 43
  • Lot D — 82
  • Lot E — 88

The university was represented by Mr. Joseph P. Williams, from the law firm Shipman & Goodwin. He explained that the hardship in the variance request is the narrow configuration of the parcel and the natural resources on the property, which the university said makes it extremely difficult to expand the size of the parking areas, the draft minutes state.

"While the property is 47 acres, 25% of the land has steep slopes and 7.8 acres are pond, rock outcroppings, and wetland areas," the minutes state.

Possible Growth in the Future?

According to the draft meeting minutes, ZBA member Kenneth Gambardella inquired about the area on the map reserved for additional future development. "Williams indicated that this might be another building site or additional parking in the future," minutes state. "There are no definitive plans at this time."

ZBA Member's Reactions

ZBA member Pat Panza had some questions regarding future development of the parcel and possible lighting issues of the parking lots, minutes state.

Plans call for lighting that would be angle in a downward fashion, and that would be kept on all night for security reasons.

According to the draft minutes, Rudolph Miller, another ZBA member, felt that development of the property would have minimal impact to neighbors as it abuts town-owned property. However, he felt that Phase One and Phase Two should be presented as separate applications should Phase Two become necessary.


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