Overflow Crowd Leads To P&Z Meeting Postponement

It was over before it started.

Hundreds of people packed into the Town Council chambers Thursday night to hear and be heard on the subject of the proposed housing plan at the Kensington Grammar School property. But there would be no meeting. Fire Marshal Steve Waznia told Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman Bruce Moore that the meeting could not be held because there were simply too many people in the chambers and area.

Moore then told the crowd the meeting would be postponed until Thursday, May 17 at a time and site to be announced. Moore hoped that either McGee Middle School or Berlin High School's auditorium would be available.

Let Patch save you time. Get great local stories like this delivered right to your inbox or smartphone every day with our free newsletter. Simple, fast sign-up here.

At issue is a proposed housing complex across the street from St. Paul's Church and St. Paul's School. The proposal would include 24 senior housing units in the former KGS and eight three-story apartment buildings surrounding the KGS structure.

Most of those in attendance were clearly in opposition, not of the senior housing, but the additional "workforce housing."

"It's a question of density, parking and the true capability of the site," said Attorney Dennis Kern, who has helped St. Paul's and Father Robert Schlageter disseminate information to parishioners. "I have some zoning questions but it is really complicated. The changes they have made change the look drastically but like I said, it's complicated. The developer has been very cooperative but as you can see by the crowd, everybody is concerned."

Father Robert Schlageter, OFM Conv. of St. Paul's was very short after the meeting.

"We have made our statements and will wait until next week to see what happens," Father Robert said. "We want to be good citizens. We have done a lot to increase the communication but it is up to the people. By their presence tonight, I think you can see they are interested."