The School Sisters of Notre Dame property (345, 329 and 331 Belden Hill Road) is located in a single-family residential neighborhood in Wilton. Dozens of historic homes, our beloved Miller-Driscoll Elementary School and many wildlife habitats comprise this neighborhood.

The proposed Hines/SSND development will irrevocably harm the character of Belden Hill Road and its adjacent streets. It does not align to the overarching themes and goals of Wilton's Plan of Conservation and Developent ("POCD"). The POCD is very clear: expansion of different housing options must preserve the residential character of existing neighborhoods. Section 4.1 reads, "Wilton's rural and scenic landscapes, including farmland, scenic vistas, stone walls, and hilly terrain, exhibit the natural splendor of the Town and contribute to the Town's sense of place and quality of life."

Land use and development maps in the POCD show opportunities for new housing options, but none of these are on Belden Hill Road. The POCD explains that our town "manages land-use activities in the community by zoning areas for specific uses and development intensities." The developer, Hines, acknowledges that the proposed future use as a Continuing Care Retirement Community is not permitted on this property. Congregate Housing, Nursing Homes and Assisted Living facilities are only permissible on properties with 50 + feet of frontage on Danbury Road, River Road and Westport Road, per Wilton's Planning & Zoning Regulations. These regulations were adopted because they can support the needs of high-density housing developents. The SSND property lacks proximity to public transportation and dismisses concerns about strain on safety, public infrastructure and services.

In the pre-application cover letter, Hines seeks a permanent change to ALL of Wilton's R2A zoning so they can build a profitable, high-density apartment building in a residential neighborhood.

Therefore, we the undersigned OPPOSE the Hines/SSND project at 345, 331 and 329 Belden Hill Road.