Submitted by Karen Fassuliotis
Another proposal. Another larger building. Thanks to Democrats in Hartford, another attempt to use Connecticut’s affordable housing law, 8-30g, to push development beyond what local zoning might otherwise allow.
At 121 E. Putnam Avenue in Cos Cob, the former site of Chocoylatte Gourmet, a proposed development called The Putnam Lofts has grown substantially from the plans presented in September 2025. What was then a three-story, 37-foot-high, mixed-use building with six apartments is now a 53-foot-high, 16,696-square-foot residential building with 14 units, five of them designated as affordable under 8-30g.
This is not simply a question of one property or one development. It’s happening all over our town. What this is really about is the cumulative effect of a state law passed by a Democratic supermajority in Hartford that is changing the character of our town and is sharply limiting Greenwich’s ability to determine what is appropriate for our own neighborhoods.
Affordable housing is a legitimate and important goal. But it should not require Greenwich to surrender meaningful control over local planning, neighborhood character, traffic, parking and infrastructure. We can pursue housing solutions without treating local zoning as an obstacle to overcome.
Michael Mason believes Greenwich needs a representative who will do more than vote “no” object to the results without offering solutions. In Hartford, Mike will work with Greenwich officials and other municipalities to pursue legislative changes to 8-30g that protect meaningful local control while encouraging practical, locally informed affordable housing solutions. That means developing specific proposals, building support for reform, and bringing Greenwich’s concerns directly to the lawmakers who can change the law.
How many more proposals like this will it take before voters seriously reconsider the current approach and vote to change the status quo in Hartford? For Michael, the question is not whether Connecticut needs affordable housing. Rather, it is whether the state can meet that need while respecting the communities expected to accommodate it.
It is clear that Greenwich deserves a representative like Michael who is prepared to do the legislative work—unlike his opponent who has simply cast a vote (or not voted at all), expressed opposition, and moved on.
Greenwich deserves a new voice in Hartford – one which will allow our town to have a meaningful voice in shaping our own future, instead of complying with a one-size-fits all mandate his opponent has done nothing to change.
Please join me in supporting the change Greenwich deserves by voting for Michael Mason this November 3rd.
Editor’s note: Letters to the editor about candidates in the Nov 3, 2026 election, we will accept letters for consideration from Oct 1 to the 27.
The deadline is a week before the election: Oct 27 at 12:00 noon.
There is typically a backlog of letters received right up to the deadline, so we will continue to publish some of those letters after the deadline.