Ledyard - A group of 30 residents pleaded with the Zoning Commission on Thursday to deny a proposed conversion of Flintlock Road's Stonegate Village to an affordable housing community and to reject lifting the 55-plus age restriction.

The evening's public hearing on the issue grew tense when residents opposed to the change addressed the commission.

"It's taken me about 30 years to save for this house," Diane Bassler said. "This is my first and only house and it's in a 55 and over community in which I thought I was going to enjoy for the rest of my life. I certainly will not get the return that I paid for my home if the age restriction (is lifted) and changed to affordable housing."

Poised to address the commission, one resident declined, saying "My heart's already beating, I'm going to have to get my pills."

The issue has plagued the minds of the 55-plus community's residents, causing sleepless nights, stress and health issues, according to Larry Helfrich, president of the Stonegate Homeowners Association.

"Stonegate is our oasis. We're not well, we like peace and quiet," he said. "We moved into this development particularly because we wanted to be with our peers."

Attorney Mark Branse represents Stonegate Village owner Third Garden Park LP. He said the owners have made a "good faith effort" in marketing to the 55-plus population and they "have not been successful."

Stonegate Village sales have declined since 2008 and, in turn, home sale prices have been reduced 25 percent to 30 percent, but the units are still not selling, Branse said. The 18.1-acre site was approved by the Zoning Commission in 2002 for 80 units with a 55-and-over age restriction.

Stonegate Village homes start at $119,000, according to the company's website, and the community is advertised as easy living and low maintenance. The website lists model home prices from $99,900 to $157,300.

Third Garden Park owners hope the Zoning Commission eventually will vote to remove the age restriction and thereby broaden the market by appealing to those under 55 who are first-time buyers.

The change to affordable housing would entice those with limited incomes, Branse said.

"Affordable housing" is a specific term applying to homes that are sold or rented to a buyer whose income is less than or equal to 60 percent or 80 percent of the local or statewide median income, whichever is less. Median income is determined by standards set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

According to Stonegate's affordability plan, 30 percent of the village's 80 units would be deed-restricted as affordable.

Fifteen percent of the affordable units would be reserved for buyers at 60 percent of median income and the other 15 percent would be reserved for buyers at 80 percent of median income.

Edward O'Hanlan, Stonegate Homeowner Association attorney, said the proposal is not appropriate for Stonegate and that Third Garden Park is taking advantage of the severe economic conditions.

"He (Branse) is asking you to play with the zoning structure of the town. Do not experiment with them so he can get a better bang for his buck," O'Hanlan said. "We have significant reservations about this type of application because it does present a unique aspect of affordable housing."

One Stonegate resident said that if approved, the change would be "a complete reversal of what we bought into and what the town's planning and zoning board approved."

"Even a few homes with school-aged children will change Stonegate's landscape," he said. "Young kids will be able to play in the very small yards, but once able to ride a bike or skateboard, hilly streets like ours become a playground. We didn't buy into this."

The Zoning Commission did not vote on the issue, instead continuing it to a public hearing April 26 at 7 p.m.

j.hanckel@theday.com