Norwich - A controversial ordinance that allows for densely developed active-adult communities was ill-conceived and failed to anticipate where such developments could be located, residents told the City Council Monday.

Most speakers supported a proposed ordinance submitted by Alderman Jonathan Jacaruso to repeal the zoning regulations that allow the developments. The council held a public hearing on the repeal proposal Monday and will continue the hearing on Feb. 2.

The zoning regulation allows developers to propose up to eight units per acre of housing, restricted to those 55 and older, in any residential zone with at least 10 acres of land. It became a heated issue when the owners of the 60-acre former Wilcox farm and sawmill proposed building 185 condominium units on rural Scotland, Hansen and White Plains roads. City planning and wetlands agencies recently rejected the plan, but the developer, Norwichtown Development LLC, has filed appeals in court.

A second plan now being reviewed by the Commission on the City Plan calls for 90 units on Hunters Road and Merchants Avenue.

Several residents, mostly neighbors of the controversial Scotland Road project, spoke in favor of repealing the regulation. They agreed with Jacaruso that the ordinance - passed by the previous City Council in January 2007 - failed to consider that such projects would be allowed on rural farmland.

Barbara Rothstein of Case Street said surveyors came to her neighborhood for a proposed active-adult community there. She said residents were shocked that such a project could suddenly appear “behind” the homes on two parallel streets using land purchased from two or three owners to meet the 10-acre requirement.

Rothstein said the ordinance on its surface “seemed harmless,” and the council could not have anticipated how and where developers would join parcels to meet the requirements.

Two speakers supported the ordinance, saying the city needs active-adult communities. Ernie Cohen said he lives in a mobile home park that is an adult community. He said many older residents prefer to live in such a community, away from loud parties and other activities.

The council could not vote on the repeal Monday, because the Commission on the City Plan has yet to give its report on the proposal. In a letter given to the council in December, the commission instead asked the council to clarify why it wanted to eliminate an ordinance the council itself approved just two years ago.

Jacaruso answered that inquiry with a resolution approved unanimously Monday stating that the ordinance failed to take into account that developers would try to bring highly dense development to rural areas that have no public services. Jacaruso also noted that the city already allows active-adult community development in the zoning regulations.

Peter Davis, director of planning and development, said active- adult communities have been built in Norwich using multifamily zoning regulations.