Reminder News
Sept. 13, 2007

Developers are trying to turn an established residential neighborhood on Washington Street in Norwich into a commercial strip mall. They are attempting to change a residential zone into a “spot” commercial zone.
    The residents of this section of town purchased homes there confident that their friendly neighborhood was a good spot to live in and raise their families. The entire area was a residential zone, and it was completely developed as a residential neighborhood. The zoning regulations are established to protect the property values, health, safety, and welfare of the land owners.
    Knowing that this is in a residential zone, the developers took options on a large block of homes in this area and announced that it should be a commercial zone.
    Why? The residents (except for the homeowners who stand to make a nice profit on the more than generous offers the developer made) do not want to change the area. They bought homes there because it afforded them the life- style they wanted, and they thought it was assured by their zoning protection.
    The developer, in a attempt to preserve his ill-conceived investment, is now trying to coerce and intimidate the local property owners and members of the city council. It is time for them to accept that this area does not want them and to look elsewhere to build their strip mall.