Chairman's View: Spoiler Alert. I Like New Canaan's Prospects (April 11, 2019)

Spoiler alert. I really like New Canaan’s prospects. Here are 5 observations taken from the revaluation, the town budget, the state election, and the first quarter real estate sales. There is a happy ending.

1. The uncertainty coming from Hartford is probably worse than anything Hartford will actually do to us. We accept a certain amount of pain is coming and we adjust. But when house-hunters from New York say, “I heard the New Canaan train is going away” or “What’s going on with your schools?” we know the headlines are worse than the reality will ever be. 

2. New Canaan government is working leaner and smarter. Our budget went down .43%, the greatest cut in a decade while improving services. We built new playgrounds, turf fields and gas lines while putting solar on town roofs. Our roads will be new, and our schools will remain #1. Town Hall will sell antique buildings and find a way to co-invest in the world-class library our residents want. Progress is being made on parking, senior & affordable housing and improved cell service. It’s a great time to live right here.

3. The Waveny Conservancy, Land Trust, Library and Athletic Foundation are examples of the high-energy volunteer organizations we have in New Canaan restoring treasures like Waveny Pond with donations, paying it forward.

4. New Canaan real estate is stable. First quarter house sales are up 20% with average prices in the $1.3’s, (same as 2012-2013 & same as Darien). New Canaan is drawing buyers out of Westchester and NYC. (If we speed up the trains, wow, the landscape shifts more dramatically in our favor.) Why is the market recovering from the bottom-up?  75 million Baby Boomers are trying to sell their houses to 66 million GenX’ers (like me, late 30’s to early 50’s) and there are just not enough of us. Be patient. There are 83 million Millennials (23-38 yrs old) who are starting to discover that Texas and San Francisco are expensive. They have to live somewhere. Why not here? We are downright cheap.

5. New Canaan’s downtown is healthy with less than a 5% vacancy rate. A few years ago vacancies were lower and rents unaffordable. Rents are attractive again. P&Z and the new Tourism & Economic Development Commission are responding to changes in the market, giving us the flexibility New Canaan needs to compete in a changing retail environment. Developers respond with exciting new projects all over town. The Grand List is growing again. Consider the new developments built or planned for downtown: Pine Street Concessions, Oxygen, The Merritt Village, a new Post Office, a new Merrill Lynch, new mixed-use on Forest, Locust, Cross and Vitti Streets. Soon look to the corner of South & Elm and for more development on Pine Street to keep the next station to heaven vibrant.

Change is hard. For a town of steady habits that fears change New Canaan is adapting well, improving in so many ways, poised to compete for the next decade and beyond.

Chairman's View: With Compliments and Thanks

By John Engel

Town Council Chairman

Christmas is behind us. Before the New Year’s excitement I’ll take this opportunity to thank some volunteers.

Government

To Bill Walbert and John Sheffield, departing chairmen of the Town Council and Board of Finance. Neither asked for the job of chairman. John is a fiscal conservative: voted against an appropriation for land acquisition, an increase in the treasurer’s salary, and in the tax collection rate. It’s hard to say no, but you were tough. We will consider ourselves privileged to have a similarly involved leader in our next Board of Finance chair. Bill Walbert managed to lead the Town Council without ever saying a cross word. He told me the best part of the chairman’s job was thanking the incredible volunteers who serve this town everyday. Bill inspired this column.

The New Canaan Library

To Bob Butman and his Library board, the greatest example we have of a public-private partnership: The town pays only a fraction of your budget, far less than surrounding towns, and we recognize how deficient your current space is. We’ll ask you to build us a spectacular new library and tell us how you’ll pay for most of it privately (please!). All of New Canaan needs you to succeed. What you propose will last for generations.

The Waveny Park Conservancy

Thank you Bob Seelert and the Conservancy Board for exceeding all expectations in the 50th year of the Lapham gift, polishing the jewel of New Canaan. Trails are done, the cornfield is being renovated, gardens are planned, and restoration of the pond is a certainty after an outstanding gala earlier this month. Bravo.

The New Canaan Land Trust

To Art Berry and the Land Trust Board: Thank you for adding not just six acres in Fowler purchase but a vital public park in a neighborhood that had none. Thank you for linking the Nature Center to Irwin Park, pushing for a Land Acquisition Fund, and making us more appreciative of open space.

The Historical Society

To Mark Markiewicz and the other Historical Society board members working overtime to move beyond your revolutionary roots: Besides the Ice Cream Social, “House of Cars”, “Waveny, Then and Now”, “Art America,” and “New Canaan Modern Architects” in the Carriage Barn, you’re planning an art show on Orientalism, a belly-dancing performance, the Mad for Moderns gala, and the bi-annual Modern house Day Tour (Oct. 20, 2018). There’s a reason to go to 13 Oenoke besides the Advertiser Coffee.

New to the Market: 106 Logan Road for $1,799,000

This beautifully renovated 1978 Colonial on Logan Road will be coming on the market next month, March 2016. Enter through a large Entry Foyer to either the large Living Room or a Paneled Library. Featuring a recent Kitchen by Deane, an oversize Family Room with brick Fireplace, an elegant Dining Room with French Doors to the oversized mahogany deck in back. Upstairs there are 4 bedrooms including a Master Suite with walk-in closet, a sitting area and a balcony. Take note of the very fresh, dry and spacious finished lower level with second Family room, home office and wine cellar. While the house is quite fresh and updated, we think the buyer of this house will seek it out with a focus on the land and the exceptional setting. Sited at the end of a long driveway this house is sited on 4.6 acres of privacy with views of the private pond and bordered by 20 acres of Land Trust property. This property is for those who will appreciate getting back to nature with its magnificent specimen trees, perennial gardens and the peace and quiet they give us.

Three Really Great Houses

I just love these three new listings.  I'd be proud to call any one of them my forever home.

The first, at 227 Lambert Road, is definitely what you'd call a "forever home"  It is a beautiful home on a beautiful flat property beside a picturesque river about a block from the Country Club. Alongside the home are three of the most beautiful barns you've ever seen. The first is currently set up as an exercise studio. The second is a two bedroom apartment for guests. And the third barn is whats known as a"party barn" because it has got everything you will need to throw the party to end all parties. Inside, under high ceilings and massive beams is a bar area, a full chef's kitchen, large screen TV's, and a massive sliding barn door that opens to let the party spill outside. Downstairs is enough room for 20 square dancers. Or, a trading floor. Or, a Zumba studio. Upstairs is sleeping accommodations for what seems like half a dozen guests, at least.

While on the one hand this compound of interesting buildings appeals to a certain nostalgia we all have for the house in the country that is not too big, not too small, with great fireplaces, old reclaimed barn-wood floors and full of interesting spaces and character, it also appeals to our more modern needs for an open floor plans, high ceilings and space to get away from everyone. After all, sometimes you just want to go dancing, or exercise, or watch a movie or play music with the sound all the way up. That's what the barns are for.

The second house is practically in the middle of town (although you'd never know it!) Hidden behind an electric gate this vintage 1938 colonial sits on one acre with a pool only steps from the village and train station. I promise if you live here you are definitely close enough to walk to the train and walk home from the bars.

The house was home to several stars over the years. Mary Martin, the original Peter Pan on Broadway, lived here in the 1950's with her teenage son, Larry Hagman, who would later play Major Nelson on "I Dream of Jeannie" and later J.R. Ewing on TV's Dallas. Thirty years later Academy Award winning actress Claire Trevor bought this house and added the first floor master bedroom suite, an elegant suite which is today as elegant and far more tasteful than anything you'll find in Beverly Hills.

Finally, this stunning modern home on 93 Graenest Ridge Road in Wilton is the surprise of the group. Unassuming when you approach coming up the driveway, this house of wood and stone really opens up on the sides and rear with walls of glass to let the light and feeling of nature inside. I think this is going to appeal to someone coming from the city who just wants to get away from the bustle and is drawn to the sophisticated design and the private setting. And, what they'll discover is that there is a secret trail through the woods to the restaurants and shopping of downtown Wilton center. That combination of both style and privacy with such proximity to the best of Wilton makes this house completely unique on the market.

93 Graenest Ridge Road: Live in a Piece of Art

A modern landmark in the heart of Wilton, this meticulously appointed home features 6,500 feet of light-filled living spaces, vaulted ceilings, floor to ceiling windows and extra-large rooms with open floor plan for flexible entertaining and living. Five bedrooms, 5 & 2 half baths include a master suite w/ balcony, master bath, dressing room and walk-in closet. A separate guest suite on its own level. Beautiful pool. A complete package. 

Featured in the October 2013 issue of Better Homes and Gardens, this stylish modern kitchen is a study in form and function. State-of-the art technology, top of the line appliances, sumptuous finishes and dramatic lighting create a wonderful chef workspace. Note the Nubian brown cabinetry, Italian inset tile, and mahogany-framed windows. Oversize windows offer views of the patio, backyard and Bradley Park conservation land.

The heart of the house is the living room, whose soaring architecture allows light to take center stage. The massive stone fireplace rises up through the beams to create a dramatic focal point.

Note the stone floor and African mahogany in the two story foyer.

The stunning modern architecture, with its network of wood beams, walls of windows and vaulted ceilings, invites the outdoors in.
 

A soaring wood ceiling and a dramatic Palladium window infuses the sensational master bedroom and sitting area with light creating an oasis of serenity.

A dramatic glass barn-style sliding door introduces the master bath. Weathered bronze vessel sinks, oyster limestone countertops, radiant heat flooring, a bubble massage air-jet tub and glass tile walls project a Zen-like feel.

  

The home is set on 2.17 acres adjacent to conservation land. It offers a private escape minutes from the village, shopping and train station.

  For more information go to http://www.93GraenestRidgeRd.com