Plan for affordable housing units moves ahead before P&Z

SALISBURY — The subdivision application by Wendy Hamilton for 19 East Main St. got closer to completion at a continuation of the public hearing before the Planning and Zoning Commission Thursday, Nov. 19.

John Harney Jr., representing Hamilton, and engineer George Johannesen said the plans for the driveway have been adjusted to the  state Department of Transportation’s requirements.

And Harney read an e-mail from Elyse Harney (his mother) agreeing to a sight-line easement across 11 and 15 East Main. This was a major hurdle to the project, which will create two new affordable housing units. There is also one existing home on the property.

Len Stewart asked if the commission’s understanding is that the two new units in the application are intended to be “affordable in perpetuity.�

Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman Jon Higgins replied in the affirmative.

“The application has evolved into a subdivision with the intent to provide affordable housing,� he said.

David Elwell, who is an abutting property owner, said he believes that one of the new lots will have drainage and ventilation problems and is unsuitable. Johannesen disagreed.

Hamilton said she was disturbed by what she called a “public attack on me� and her motives.

“I’ve been working on this for three-and-a-half years,� she said, adding that if she had wanted to simply realize a profit and move on she would have done so by now.

Higgins said Hamilton “is putting together a model for other private landowners to show how to create affordable housing.�

The commission voted to continue the public hearing to Tuesday, Dec. 1, 6 p.m. at Town Hall. Harney said later that he and Johannesen will complete the paperwork for the DOT and tie up other loose ends before the hearing continues.

“I don’t think there will be a lot to discuss at a continued hearing,� Higgins said.

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