Developer Considers Adding Almost 50 Apartments to Stepney Place

An architecture firm came in front of the Planning and Zoning Commission Wednesday night to discuss the possibility of adding 48 apartments to an apartment complex on the Silas Deane Highway.  

Stepny Place is a five-story apartment complex, which was built in 1970, with a 138 units and commerical office space located at 1800 Silas Deane Highway. The apartment complex originally had 178 units and commercial space on various floors on the 8.75-acre parcel of land. However, 40 units were destroyed after a fire in 1971.

Architect Paul Bailey said the developer is exploring the possibility of replacing the commercial space at Stepny Place with 24 studio and 14 one-bed apartments. He said the “majority of the commercial space is vacant” at this time. 

Let Patch save you time. Get great local stories like this delivered right to your inbox or smartphone every day with our free newsletter. Simple, fast sign-up here.

“This commercial space has been difficult to rent since the building was built,” he said. The commission members took no action on the pre-application Wednesday night. 

The discussion was a chance for the firm to get feedback from the commission and report it back to the developer, Town Planner Kim Ricci said.

“This is their concept that they want to get your thoughts on,” she said. However, Ricci made it clear that whatever was said during the meeting was “non binding."

Bailey wanted to know if the developer would have to receive a variance since Stepny Place is in a zone that is not residential or multi-family. Ricci informed Bailey that if all the commercial space were turned into apartments, the developer would need a variance.

However, a building, which is on the property but not attached to the apartment complex, is leased by a school that trains independent electrical contractors. That building would constitute a mixed-use on the facility and allow the developer to only have to apply for a special use permit application. 

Bailey said the developers “are very anxious” to get the apartments built. 

“We should be applying as soon as possible,” he said. Bailey added that his company should be submitting an application within 30 days. There is no application pending at this time, Ricci said. 

The commission made few comments Wednesday night. Commission member Henry Vasel asked the developers to make sure when they presented their applications to have a breakdown of the parking for residential units and commercial properties. 

 Enjoy reading Patch? Show us some love! Follow us on Twitter or like us on Facebook.