Neck Road LLC c/o Women?s Institute Realty of Connecticut, Inc. 15 Court Square, Suite 210 Boston, MA 02108 August 29, 2019 Neck Road, LLC Shares Letter to Old Lyme Zoning Commission Old Lyme, CT: On August 29, 2019, Neck Road, LLC, a partnership between the Women?s Institute for Housing and Economic Development and HOPE Partnership delivered the following letter to the Old Lyme Zoning Commission and Board of Selectmen notifying them of their intent to withdraw plans for an approved, 37 unit affordable housing community in Old Lyme. Among the factors taken into consideration when reaching the decision, was an extended appeal of the Old Lyme Zoning Commission decision of August 2018 by abutting neighbors. HOPE Partnership?s Board President stated, ?Rather than continue to ?ght the battle in a courtroom, which will increase the costs so the housing is no longer affordable, HOPE is appealing to the many residents who expressed concerns over location to assist in ?nding a property that would be suitable. HOPE is committed to ?nding a solution to the ever growing need for affordable housing in Old Lyme and will continue to work towards our goal of providing safe and affordable housing for all our community members.? Neck Road LLC c/o Women?s Institute Realty of Connecticut, Inc. [5 Court Square, Suite 210 Boston, MA 02108 Ms. Jane Cable, Chair Old Lyme Zoning Commission Town of Old Lyme 52 Lyme Street Old Lyme CT 06371 Dear Ms. Cable, As you know, Neck Road LLC, comprised of HOPE Partnership, Inc. and Women?s Institute for Housing and Economic Development is the applicant for River Oak Commons 1 and II, which was approved by the Zoning Commission in October 2018, subject to conditions, for a combined 37 units of affordable housing. The approval was subsequently appealed by abutting neighbors and is now moving through the appeals process. Tiuoughout the application and approval process, the project has been met with intense opposition. While there are many in Town who support the project, it has become increasingly apparent a very vocal faction of Old Lyme residents are not in support and will take whatever measures necessary to stop the project, including the promotion and spreading of misinformation using social media and other means to attack the project and its sponsors. HOPE and WIHE-D are accustomed to receiving questions about our projects and. are always happy to respond to legitimate concerns expressed by neighbors and town of?cials. However, the response to River Oak Commons] and II was like nothing we had ever encountered previously, and went well beyond legitimate concerns about traffic and safety. We have expended signi?cant expense countering a campaign of opposition, stretching our ?nancial resources in the process and created excess unnecessary cost that will make the project increasingly unaffordable for future residents. Like everything we build, River Oak Commons would be extremely high quality and is well located for family housing. We have every expectation the project would prevail in any court appeal. Despite all this, a small group of 'Old Lyme residents will probably never accept the project, which may make future occupants of River Oak Commons feel unwelcome. For these reasons we are extending an olive branch; HOPE and will withdraw our zoning application for RiverOaks Commons and Il. However, we are appealing to town leaders and residents to follow through on the assertion we have heard expressed over and over; "Old Lyme supports a??ordabie housing, just no! in that We ask that the Zoning Commission, Board of Selectman, and other town leaders to proactively identify site(s) that would be more acceptable for family housing. We further ask town leaders and neighborhood leaders who have been ?nancially supporting the opposition, to help in this effort by identifying financial resources to allow a transfer to another location, through bonding, predeveloprn'ent assistance, tax relief, acquisitionassistance, etc. We would like to believe the support for the ?idea? of affordable housing in Old Lyme was sincere. We are now asking those who expressed that sentiment to join us and be part of the solution. Sincerely, Anthony Lyons, President HOPE Partnership 0.0: Zoning Commission: Jane Marsh-Secretary Paul Orzel -Member 'Gil Souciei Member Alan Todd-Member Harvey Getmne?Altemate Katherine. Klose-Altemate Board of Selectmen: Bonnie First .Seleotwoman Christopher Kerr, Selectman Mary Jo Nasal, Seleetwoman Christine Traczy President Women?s institute for Housing and Economic Development