To the editor:

Friends of Historic Bristol applauds the efforts to develop the Robin Rug factory building.

Friends were heartened by the poll taken by the Bristol Planning Board on March 16 that authorized the town’s legal counsel to draft a motion to deny the project if the developer could not return to the board with a plan to limit the density of the building to 105 units, among other conditions.

In fact, planning board Chairman Jerome Squatrito was quoted in the Bristol Phoenix (March 24) saying, “I’d go along with 98 to 100 units” and, speaking of reducing the density to 105 units, board member Armand Bilotti noted, “We’ve given them the direction that we think is appropriate.”

Thus, Friends of Historic Bristol is concerned that these conditions were ignored in an April 4 communication from the Bristol Department of Community Development to planning board members. The BDCD director stated: “My recommendation is to approve the Master Plan as revised” by the developer, Brady Sullivan, LLC, which now is bringing forward a plan of 127 units – which is 22 units over the maximum the Planning Board agreed to.

Friends fully recognizes the urgent need for affordable housing in the Town of Bristol. We also recognize that our local zoning laws have unequivocal density requirements that specify minimal square footage per dwelling unit, which was calculated in 2008 to allow 78 units maximum. The increase from 78 to 98 units that were approved in 2008 already includes a 20 percent bonus number of units for affordable housing, and the law does not allow for another bonus increase.

We also recognize that the Comprehensive Plan stipulates that the BCDC must continue to work with the Robin Rug owner on the development of the 98-unit proposal, not on the new 127-unit proposal. Bristol Code also prohibits payment in lieu. And, most significantly, they include a law that requires the Planning Board to abide by the laws of Bristol. Friends expects the Planning Board to abide by the laws of Bristol.

We urge Bristolians to attend the Planning Board meeting on Thursday, April 14, at 7 p.m. at 10 Court St., as the public comment phase of the meeting is being reopened, and we should all ask that our Planning Board members remain resolute about limiting the building’s density and ensure that an appropriate number of built affordable housing units is included in the final plan.

Caroline Jacobus
35 Church St.

Ms. Jacobus is secretary of Friends of Historic Bristol, writing on behalf of the organization.