Felicians' scaled down development plan still has critics

Jul. 2—ENFIELD — A redevelopment proposal by the Felician Sisters of North America to add 250 affordable apartments on their 26.8-acre Enfield Street campus received mixed reviews during a Planning and Zoning Commission meeting Thursday.

The sisters appeared with their partner, non-profit Boston-based Community Builders Inc., at the PZC's public hearing Thursday to request a zone change. If granted, the change would convert the property from a single family-housing zone to a special development district.

The redevelopment plan for the property at 1297 Enfield St., where the sisters have had their convent for 90 years, would create an intergenerational campus that provides affordable senior housing and mixed-income multifamily housing for younger families.

ZONE CHANGE SOUGHT

WHAT: The Felician Sisters appeared before the Planning and Zoning Commission to request a zone change for their Enfield Street property.

WHY: The sisters, in partnership with The Community Builders, are proposing an intergenerational campus with 250 units of affordable senior and mixed-income multifamily housing.

NEXT STEP: The public hearing will continue at 7 p.m. July 14.

Sister Nancy Piecewicz recounted the Felician Sisters' decades-long history in Enfield and gave an overview of the proposal. With numbers having dwindled from 100 sisters at one time to only 24 on the campus now, the order can no longer sustain the campus as it once did, she said.

Piecewicz said the sisters have been asking themselves for several years how to continue serving the community with the intergenerational ministry on their property, which currently includes a Montessori School and a 22-unit apartment building for tenants older than 55.

The Felician Sisters appeared before the PZC about a year ago with an earlier version of the development plan.

"We heard a number of things from the commission and the public, so we withdrew the application and went back to the drawing board," said their lawyer, Carl Landolina. "This new application takes into consideration concerns we heard."

The former plan was to build 330 apartments on the property. At the time, residents and commissioners said they were concerned with the possibility of increased noise and traffic, as well as expressing concern about the appropriateness of the development in the Historic District.

'Misconceptions' rebutted

Bridget Armstrong, vice president of special projects for the Felician Sisters of North America, said there were misconceptions that the current plan for affordable housing for seniors and working families would not be taxable, would house a large number of children, and cause added traffic.

The reality is that half the housing will be for seniors and, of the 250 units, almost 89% will be one bedroom, Armstrong said. The rest will be two-bedroom units. The developers predict there will be 15 to 33 children in the complex within 10 years,

In addition, Armstrong said, the redevelopment plan includes community spaces and programming. The Felician Sisters have said their vision for the campus includes a health and wellness center, community room, community kitchen, a chapel preserved for public use, walking paths, gazebos, and preserved parade grounds.

Kristin Anderson, senior development project manager for The Community Builders, said the modified proposal preserves open space, reduces density per acre, and has three entrances to the campus to facilitate traffic flow.

The proposed buildings would be a maximum of three or four stories, preserving views from the historic district, she said.

Nevertheless, a number of residents questioned how building the complex would benefit the community and asked what might happen to the property if it is re-zoned and the sisters eventually decide to sell it.

Others backed the plan, saying Enfield sorely needs affordable housing.

'Admiration can't cloud judgment'

Nikki Price of Enfield Street said the Felician Sisters have been great stewards of the campus.

"But we can't allow our admiration to cloud our judgment of what effect this will have on the community," she said. "What this change will do is create a steady revenue stream for the sisters at the expense of the community."

"How can the commission approve a zone change to an owner who can't answer if they'll be here forever?" she asked.

Bob Emrick of Post Office Road said one criterion for approving a zone change is that the proposed development provide substantial benefit to the immediate area and neighborhood. "This will cause more problems in my neighborhood," he said.

He said the traffic impact on Enfield Street and South Road were mentioned a lot in the developers' presentation but said he hadn't heard anything about Post Office Road.

"Sitting on my porch, I can look right in their driveway," Emrick said, "This will have an effect on everyone who lives on Post Office Road."

'Weaving a new tapestry'

John Malinoski of Bigelow Commons, who was taught by the Felician Sisters, supported the proposal.

"Development of the campus will preserve the sisters' legacy and contribute to the community," he said. The sisters want to "weave a new tapestry onto the campus" by re-purposing existing buildings to create affordable housing, he said, adding that many buildings in town have been re-purposed with good results.

"The Felician Sisters must make changes to the campus to accomplish their goals," Malinoski said. "Buildings do not last forever. Something must be done, or they will deteriorate."

Lorraine Creedon of Cottage Road told the commission she hopes it will approve the zone change.

"It's important for people who have lived here their entire lives to have a nice area to go to with a community that will care for me," she said. "Young adults need an affordable apartment to get their start so they will want to stay here and raise their families."

After voting to extend the hearing past 11 p.m., the PZC got the developers' approval to continue it at 7 p.m. July 14, when the developers' professionals will take questions from commission members.

For more coverage of Somers and Enfield, follow Susan Danseyar on Twitter: @susandanseyar, Facebook: Susan Danseyar, reporter.