Farnam Courts’ roadside play and hang-out area is one step closer to becoming new housing instead.
Members of the Board of Aldermen’s Legislation Committee Thursday night approved a recommendation by the City Plan Commission to reclassify the play area at the public-housing project off Grand Avenue, DeLauro Park, as a RH‑2 zone. That means, if the full board now approves the recommendation, the Housing Authority of New Haven can demolish the park and redevelop the property with new residential buildings.
In a presentation to the Legislation Committee, City Plan Director Karyn Gilvarg argued that the park has been a “struggle” for the city to maintain. The zoning change will fit in with a larger plan to overhaul Farnam Courts.
Allan Appel Photo
The rectangular swath of fenced-in park on at 657 Grand Ave. (pictured) is “failing as a park, it’s not working as a park, in order to look at redevelopment of … Farnam Courts, it seems that this piece should be planned for and thought of as a part of that entire site,” Gilvarg said.
One concern came from Westville Alderman Adam Marchand. He pointed out that the park was named after Ted DeLauro, the father of New Haven’s U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro. He questioned Gilvarg if the City Plan Department has been in touch with DeLauro about the change.
Gilvarg deferred her answer to HANH Deputy Executive Director Jimmy Miller, who told the committee that his staff had contacted DeLauro, who was fine with the change. Miller supported changing the zoning around the park, he said, as well as amendments to the zoning ordinance that would tweak the RH‑2 classification and assist with redeveloping the park and housing.
After public testimony — all of which was in favor of the change — the committee voted unanimously the pass the measure to the full board for final approval.