New London — The Planning and Zoning Commission on Thursday again continued a public hearing for a zoning amendment request related to future construction at the former Edgerton School property

Attorney Mathew Greene had asked Commission Chairman Barry Levine for the postponement to "help minimize a lengthy agenda" and gather "data that will be beneficial for commission members in their deliberation of this application.”

Greene represents Affordable Housing and Services Collaborative and Peabody Properties, the companies seeking to construct a 124-unit affordable housing complex on the former school property at 120 Cedar Grove Ave.

The application before the commission seeks changes to zoning that, among other things, would allow residential housing by special permit in the limited commercial district, or C-2 zone, that encompasses the Edgerton School site and an approximately 1-mile swath of land in the Colman Street area.

It also proposes lowering parking requirements for affordable housing developments.

Levine granted Greene's continuance to an Oct. 6 meeting but not without some debate and not before allowing a stream of residents to voice their opposition to the application. Residents, some of whom reside in the neighborhoods surrounding the former Edgerton School, cited things such as adverse impacts of an affordable-housing complex and potential parking problems caused by parking requirements. 

More than a dozen people spoke in opposition to the proposal at a Sept. 1 meeting and some of the same people returned to reiterate their stance on Thursday.

— Greg Smith