As a resident of the South Ridge development, I am strongly opposed to the plans for the 4-story apartment building that is being proposed for the small corner lot next to the Dollar Market on Route 7. The out-of-state developer wants to put 32 units of living space on .7 of an acre. If we’ve been paying attention, we know this community has a serious housing shortage problem. This building could help that problem, but this location is not appropriate. The site plan shows an awkward, large building, close to the entrance of our town, right on Rt. 7 and the two-lane Middle Road. The parking spaces will not allow for everyone who lives in the apartments to have a car.

Does the current town infrastructure support this building? Can this corner accommodate the increase of traffic and congestion, so close to the entrance of the Middlebury middle school? Will pedestrians still be able to walk in this area with the increased traffic? How will traffic flow with the proposed changes to the current Mobil station? Please go to the town offices to view the plans. Please attend the planning commission meetings. Please voice your opinion about the increased congestion on that already busy corner. The developer needs to be directed to invest in a different piece of property in Middlebury. We need housing, just not this plan.

I am a neighbor who cares and I hope that others care too.

Sandy Bemis

Middlebury