Developer's Beachfront Proposal Denied By Milford PZB

MILFORD, CT — A developer's bid to re-subdivide property at 33-35 Laurel Avenue failed to be approved by the Planning and Zoning Board. Numerous residents opposed the project and spoke at a public hearing held earlier this month. Some residents did speak in support of the project.

Titanium Properties, LLC is the owner of the property. Attorney Thomas Lynch reviewed a survey of the property and surrounding areas. He noted that many structures in the area were nonconforming.

He said the request was to include the property in the CDD2 zone. He said the 2 lots had previously been merged by construction of a house, shed, and garage.

He said in 1915, the house combined the lots, creating a 2-family house in a 1-family zone. He said that if the house was part of the CCD2 zone, a single family house could be built on each of the 2 lots because they would be made conforming.

He said the goal was to remove a dilapidated, nonconforming structure and build 2 aesthetically pleasing single family houses. He said the change would be consistent with the Plan of Conservation and Development.

He said he had been made aware of social media comments that described suspicions about substituting a commercial or other nonresidential use if the zone change was approved. He said his client was willing to deed-restrict future use to single family houses. He said all departmental approvals had been sought and given.

Lynch added that deed restrictions would be put on the land records to ensure this.

OPPOSED
Dana Marcus said he was concerned about parking in a beach community and the risk of house fires spreading.

Laura Marcus said she was concerned about fire, lack of a sidewalk and other new burdens on the community.

FAVOR
Connie Henshaw said she was the adjacent neighbor and in favor. She submitted a petition of neighbors in favor.

MIXED
Chris Bockstael said he was in favor of the 2-family, but against the zone change.

FAVOR
Chad Twombley said he lives across the street. He said he was not worried about parking but welcomed the removal of a derelict property.

OPPOSED
Kathy Paulson said she was in the neighborhood when there was a fire several years ago. She said there was crime activity which she attributed to density. She expressed concern about parking.

Michael Caro said he lived at 48 Laurel Avenue previously. He reviewed his involvement in the Devon Revitalization project and Walnut Beach Association. He described his recollection of the CDD2 zone change along Naugatuck Avenue. He recalled a prior effort to do essentially the same redevelopment of the 33-35 Laurel property 35 years ago. He said the previous merger was rejected and described his concerns about deviating from the single family zoning on this parcel.

Paula Andrade expressed concern about future development and a preference for one single family home.

REBUTTAL
Attorney Lynch said the lack of off-street parking on Park Avenue shouldn’t be corrected by restricting activity on Laurel Avenue. He said each house would have parking for 4 cars. He acknowledged that adjacent streets are narrow, but said most of those properties don’t have off-street parking and Laurel Ave parking would be alleviated with the addition of off-street parking.

He said revitalization would be aided by replacing a dilapidated structure. He drew attention to the submitted petition and the residents of Laurel who had spoke in favor. He said the zone change would make the new houses conforming to other lots on Laurel Avenue. He stressed that there is no smoke screen for commercial development after the zone change and that only single family homes would be built on the lots.

REBUTTAL OF REBUTTAL
Laura Marcus said she had been told the homes would be 4 or 5 stories tall and expressed concern about who the tenants would be. She described the neighborhood as having parking, criminal activity, and fire problems.

Chris Bockstael reiterated his desire to have the R-5 zone preserved. He said he would prefer a Special Exception to the current zone.

Kathy Paulson asked and was advised that 2 lots cannot be created if the parcel remains an R-5 zone. She reiterated concerns about traffic, crime, and parking during weekends, particularly in summer.

Michael Caro said that the original house was a 2-family. He said 1 single family house could be built on the lot. He expressed concern that a precedent would be set for zone changes.

Chad Twombley said he thought using new zoning with deed restrictions was positive and the old house should be replaced.

Nerisa Ramos said something needs to be done about the derelict property, but the zone change sets a precedent and should be avoided.

REBUTTAL
Attorney Lynch said he had nothing further, except to ask that the applications be granted, and that the new homes would be an enhancement to the area. He reiterated that the zone change allows for the 2 lots to be made conforming.