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As reported in Hearst media newspapers across the state, the Madison Planning and Zoning Commission faces three lawsuits regarding its approval of a special exclusion regarding a residential property slated to become an arts center and meeting / event venue. These lawsuits were filed at the State of Connecticut Superior Court.
The site is the former residence of art collectors Burton and Emily Hall Tremaine that died in 1991 and 1987 respectively. The six-acre property features at least one design renovation by controversial architect and ex-Nazi agent, Philip Johnson, most notoriously known in Connecticut for his Glass House in New Canaan on a 47-acre site.
Johnson died in 2005. At that time, the New York Times was blasted for a sugar-coated obituary with a selected history, while critic Dejan Sudjic in the Guardian newspaper published a piece describing Johnson as “A Nazi piece of work…”
Two of the lawsuits are by neighbors regarding the awarded designation of the special exclusion zoning status. (See the filings by Bruce Lockhart and Margaret Cohen; and second by Edward M. Rizzo, Jr., Heather C. Rizzo, Bonnie L. Hiatt, and David D. Yuh).
The third filing is by the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation regarding the limiting conditions decided by the Madison Planning and Zoning Commission. The restrictions include limiting the number of persons permitted on the property regarding meetings and events.
As reported by journalist Susan Braden, “Both [suits by neighbors] claim traffic from the center will create unsafe conditions on the narrow road, create parking problems and negatively impact the environment and property values.”
The foundation is a key funder of the statewide Sustainable CT organization, which has a widely defined “environmental” remit. This is fronted by controversial Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) action requirements for participating municipalities to be considered for certifications.
Braden continued, “The suits against the PZC also claim there were ‘improper’ procedural issues and legal problems with how the land-use and staff dealt with the application. One argues a member had a conflict of interest and should have recused herself, while the other claims the meeting dates were not properly notified.”
Connecticut Centinal readers will be familiar with the zoning battle in Madison this year and the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation’s colorful founder:
