Chabad Gets Green Light: Neighbor Sees Red and Will Appeal Decision

GUILFORD, CT — In a vote of 4 to 3, the Guilford Planning & Zoning Commission (PZC) approved the Chabad-Lubavitch of the Shoreline’s application to build a synagogue and day care center at 181 Goose Lane.

The decision last week came after many months of public hearings and testimony by traffic and real estate experts from both sides of the fence: the Chabad and a group in opposition to the development called Save Goose Lane. Members of the latter group consist mainly of neighbors to the site.

Commission members voting in favor of the synagogue include chair Shirley Girioni, Jonathan Bishop, Ray Bower, and Robert Richard.

“This is a low impact use and will provide a diversity of culture in town,” noted Girioni, who said the building will act as a buffer to the residentially-zoned property to its north. The property to its direct south is zoned commercial.

Girioni pointed out that the neighbor directly to the north operates a medical practice out of her home.

That neighbor, Dr. Donna Criscenzo, had very different views on the possible impact of the Chabad building next door.

“The laws have been shown to be flimsy and the words ‘shall not impair’ have been shown to mean ‘it’s okay to impair if only affecting a few,’” said Criscenzo. “We have been sacrificed. But in reality, the entire town has been sacrificed.”

The Chabad sought a special permit to build a 13,700 square foot house of worship, day care center, and 50-vehicle parking lot. The criteria for a special permit states the building should be in harmony with the neighborhood, large enough for its use, not create an undue traffic hazard, and have adequate access for fire protection.

Members of the commission who voted against the application, including David Grigsby, David North, and Michael Scott, said they believed the testimony did not meet all the requirements for a special permit.

“The lot is simply too small,” said North.

“The use proposed is possibly too intense,” added Grigsby.

The approval does come with conditions, noted Girioni, which are intended to “give everyone a comfort level.”

Conditions include a limit on occupancy levels: no more than 150 people can occupy the facility at one time, but for 10 days per year, 200 people can be present. The building cannot be rented out for parties, and there cannot be outdoor amplification of music. The building cannot be illuminated at night when not in use, nor can there be any overnight parking of campers or RVs in the Chabad’s parking lot. Window shades need to be present on the north and south windows of the building, and all ice and snow must be cleared at all times in order to provide access for emergency vehicles.

During high-occupancy special events or Jewish High Holy days, the Chabad must make arrangements with the Guilford Police Department to hire an off-duty police officer to direct traffic.

In addition, it will need to work with the Guilford Board of Selectmen in the construction of a sidewalk that will extend from the property to the Yale New Haven Shoreline Clinic. “No Parking” signs must be erected along Goose Lane.

There are other small conditions regarding a revised fence design and the placement and coverage of mechanicals.

According to Criscenzo, the conditions of approval offer no real protection.

“They are a sham,” she said. “They are unenforceable. They do not mitigate the intensity of use, especially the intensity on evenings and weekends.”

After the final architectural plans are complete, Chabad must receive final design approval by the town’s Design Review Committee on its choices of exterior color(s) and materials.

Criscenzo said she will appeal the close decision and contends that the factors used for the final vote were clearly biased.

“Though I regret the time involved, I will continue to fight this with all the powers granted by our laws, flawed as they may be,” she said. “I will also work to change the wording of the current law, so that perhaps this cannot happen to another unsuspecting resident.”