Knektid.com

Wallingford, CT Development Priorities

May 10, 2008

Development of a New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Commuter Rail

Support of a long proposed New Haven to Springfield commuter rail line, which would stop in Wallingford, has gained traction in recent years. The town currently has a functioning train station that serves Amtrak customers only and would benefit from its prime location between Hartford and New Haven. Estimates from the commuter rail Steering Committee suggest a new line would attract 760,000 riders annually but would have a budget deficit of $5.5 million per year (Commuter Rail Steering Committee).

Concentration of Development in Downtown Wallingford

Wallingford has a small, but well defined downtown area where a concentration of banks, shops, bars, town hall, and the post office are accompanied by a number of national historic sites. The 2005 Plan of Development recognizes the need to focus attention on further developing this area with high density mixed-use spaces. The close proximity to town services, Choate school, and a number of flourishing residential neighborhoods create a downtown capable of supporting increased commercial development.

Focus on Higher Density Housing Development

Housing development in Wallingford is restricted by large lot zoning regulations that typically limit the construction of multifamily homes. With lot sizes often exceeding one and two acres and minimum acreage in the densest available zones set at .36 acres, there is a limited ability to build affordable rental property in town. This creates a demand for the further construction of condominiums and large, single family units that have led to sprawl development in the past.

Create a More Pedestrian Friendly Community

The joining of disconnected sidewalk segments was given a good deal of attention in the plan of development. This issue underscores the fact that development in Wallingford has thus far been wholly supportive of the suburban “car culture”. With disparate condominium complexes linked to far away retail areas solely by roads, there is a tremendous reliance on automobiles to accommodate daily transportation needs. The irony of a situation where pedestrians are forced into cars due to a lack of sidewalks, thus making traffic too heavy to accommodate walking on the roads, has until now been lost on many developers.

Smart Retail Growth on Route 5

Route 5 in Wallingford can be described as one large strip mall. The heavily trafficked road is home to a combination of big box stores, car dealerships, auto repair shops, and small retailers. Plans are currently underway to widen the road to a uniform four lanes of traffic to allow increased vehicle flow. This effort has been accompanied by recognition of the need to redevelop vacant buildings on the strip prior to allowing the construction of new retail space. Unfortunately, Economic development is now rapidly spreading to green space surrounding I-91 in Wallingford and the area is increasingly beginning to resemble Route 5.

Filed under: Land Use Planning