Groton — Opponents of a project to redevelop the former Mystic Oral School property into a mixed-use village made their case this week to The Day’s Editorial Board about why they propose the project should be scaled back — or scrapped altogether.

Members of the Mystic Oral School Advocates, a group trying to eliminate or scale back the proposed project at 240 Oral School Road, raised concerns about traffic and the potential impacts from blasting, and that the large development would be out of character with the surrounding neighborhood.

Respler Homes, which was selected in 2019 as the preferred developer for the state-owned property after a Request for Proposals process, is proposing to make the main Oral School building a commercial space with shops and offices and build about 931 housing units. Respler Homes said the idea is to provide a “live, work and play” environment and more housing as large employers, such as Electric Boat, expand.

Principal Jeffrey Respler of Respler Homes presented his conceptual plan to the Editorial Board last month, and said he was open to conversations with the town and anticipates the project will evolve as it moves through a process that includes multiple approval steps.

Critics of the project shared their concerns with the Editorial Board on Monday.

Jim Mitchell, a retired educator who has lived on Boulder Court for more than 30 years, said that while the town needs an adequate tax base and he supports the development of the property, the size of this project is of serious concern and is not in keeping with the neighborhood. He said he has not seen enough environmental reports about the project, which is also a concern.

He said housing for people 55 and older would be a more appropriate use for the property.

“Again, I do support the development of the property,” Mitchell said. “I’m just concerned about the scale. Nine hundred apartments would make it the largest complex, I believe, between the Connecticut River and the Rhode Island border in southeastern Connecticut. It’s really too large for this property and this site.”

In addition to senior housing, he said townhouses or condominiums would be another appropriate use for the property.

Scott Westervelt, who is on the board of Mystic Oral School Advocates, said the site is currently zoned RU-80 (Rural Residential), which would allow up to 24 homes to be built on the entire property. He said this would not have as large of an impact as 931 apartments and condominiums.

“I would love to see that property properly maintained and properly developed so something like RU-80 is still very much reasonable for that area,” he said.

Bob Welt, who lives on Boulder Court, said the neighborhood is rural with homes on wells and septic tanks, and he is concerned about potential damage from blasting. He also said traffic from the development would be “horrendous.”

He said he would love to see “another Academy Point” on the site, referencing the nearby senior living facility, with some cottages around it. He also proposed saving the athletic field since the town needs athletic fields. He does not think such a proposal would have a particular impact on traffic.

Christopher Morth, who lives on Oral School Road with his family, said he chose the neighborhood because he was looking for a peaceful, nice atmosphere — similar to where he grew up in Waterford — for his children. He said his experience is very similar to those of a lot of other people who bought homes in the quiet neighborhood.

“It was the idea of living in a neighborhood, of having space, of not having parking garages and apartment buildings kind of towering over all of that,” he said.

He said whoever set down the zoning years ago recognized that RU-80 is appropriate for the property and fits with the rest of the area.

When asked if there is any scenario in which the proposed development could work or if they believe it should be scrapped altogether, Attorney Edward Moukawsher, who represents Mystic Oral School Advocates, said he personally feels it should be scrapped. He noted the already high traffic volume in the area in the morning and afternoon.

“I just can’t imagine adding that many new travelers on those roads,” Moukawsher said. “It just doesn’t seem appropriate, and it’s going to change the whole character of the neighborhood.”

Moukawsher said a proposal from the Groton Housing Authority seemed sensible for the property.

Moukawsher also raised concerns about Respler’s past criminal record and how it would impact the project. He pleaded guilty in 2004 to four counts of fifth-degree conspiracy in New York in relation to a plumbing company he owned.    

Moukawsher further said the public needs more information about the costs of the project and the use of Tax Increment Financing. Respler would need to obtain multiple approvals from the Planning and Zoning Commission before he could construct the project.  

k.drelich@theday.com