Merritt Parkway Conservancy
PO Box 17072
Stamford, CT 06907
203.661.3255
Email Us
The naturalistic landscape that makes the Merritt so special and enjoyable is being threatened by high-density developments along its corridor. We are aware of housing needs and encourage developers to design buildings that blend into and respect the environment without adversely affecting the single-family communities nearby.
Currently two large housing developments in Fairfield near Exit 27 have been proposed that would be highly visible from the Parkway and negatively impact the view shed, increase traffic, and harm the 100-year flood plain, causing increased flooding nearby.
A Bridgeport developer has proposed a 204-unit apartment complex on a 15-acre vacant parcel on 4221 Black Rock Turnpike on an elevated bluff abutting the Merritt Parkway. Primrose Development LLC proposes constructing three, four-story buildings containing a total of 252,624 square feet of living space. The Heritage Hill complex, which would have 84 one-bedroom units and 120 two-bedroom units, would set aside 62 apartments as affordable housing, per the state’s 8-30g affordable housing statute. MPC engaged legal counsel as well as ecological, traffic, and historic resource experts to oppose the development at a public hearing on August 19th. The neighboring communities of Greenfield Hunt and Greenfield Hill have joined us in opposing this complex.
On July 8th, the TPZ held a public hearing for a text change to create an affordable housing zone allowing for a large and highly visible housing development at 1477 Congress Street (39 units). MPC opposed this application and gathered wetlands, traffic, and historic preservation experts to review and testify on the applications’ flaws and negative impact on the Merritt’s view shed, the natural environment and wetlands, the neighboring homes, and a historic 19th-century house. TPZ approved the text change with numerous conditions and amendments. MPC, together with the neighbors of the proposed development, is appealing this decision.
The Merritt Parkway Conservancy together with Fairfield residents are urging the Town Planning and Zoning Commission (TPZ) to deny the proposed high-density developments and demand full independent safety and impact studies before even considering projects of this scale in such a sensitive area and single-family zone.
Please support our efforts by making a contribution to the Merritt Parkway Conservancy to fund independent environmental, storm water, and traffic studies.
Regarding signs erected on private land abutting the Merritt right of way and visible from its travel lanes, we adhere to Fairfield's Zoning Ordinance section 29.8.2 “Connecticut Turnpike and Merritt Parkway. Where a lot abuts the right of way or access road of the Connecticut Turnpike or Merritt Parkway, no sign on such lot shall be erected which faces or is primarily intended to be visible from the Connecticut Turnpike or Merritt Parkway.”
We recognize and support the need for diverse and vibrant economic development in the cities and towns along the Merritt Parkway and work in collaboration with these communities to preserve the beautiful views and green space for the enjoyment of all.
Trucks, trailers, rental trucks, and RVs are not allowed on the Merritt. The height restrictions are 8 feet for vehicles due to the bridges. There is a growing concern about safety hazards on the Merritt due to truck violations that cause accidents and congestion when they get stuck near and under bridges, a frequent occurrence.
We’d like to be more proactive by increasing traffic surveillance —there are only two troopers assigned to the entire Merritt!
Traffic violation fines should be increased and enforced. State Representative Matt Blumenthal was successful in getting them up to $500 from $90, but this still doesn’t cover bridge repairs and isn’t always enforced.
Improved GPS navigation software on sites like Waze, Apple, and Google should include warnings about truck and height restrictions. Senator Richard Blumenthal proposed this GPS upgrade in 2021 but no action has been taken.
Help us by encouraging state representatives to add more troopers.
Contact your elected representatives in Connecticut by going to https://www.cga.ct.gov/webapps/cgafyl.asp
Enter your address to find their contact information.
If you see a truck on the parkway, contact the CT State Police by calling 911.
If you can, note the license plate of the vehicle.
