Trumbull Condo Owners Seek Zoning Reversal

The Woodland Hills condominium Association and some of its residents have sued to overturn approval of several businesses along Monroe Turnpike.

In September, the commission approved a 4,200-square foot retail building and the 25,000-square foot Fitness Edge at 41 Monroe Tpke.; and an 8,250-square foot Firestone and 8,560 square foot space for a restaurant and retail space at 43 Monroe Tpke.

Trumbull Attorney James Cordone filed the suits on behalf of residents John D. Callahan Jr., Patricia E. Ryan and Sara Mayer. They do not oppose the businesses, he noted.

"They don't know what the development is," Cordone said. They are now meeting with the developers, he added.

They want to "make sure their interests are protected," Cordone said. "They didn't get a chance to review the plans or to speak at the hearing." The residents had 15 days from the publication of the decision on Dec. 8 to appeal.

Zoning laws require notifying neighbors.

The suit also calls for the reversal because, it states, the commission has no jurisdiction over repair shops, and the businesses are inconsistent with zoning regulations and the Trumbull Master Plan.

The residents also argue there was insufficient evidence to warrant an approval.

Ray Rizio, the developers' attorney, has said Woodland Hills was originally approved with other perks but those never materialized because of the economy.

He said the shops were the final phase of development. The first phase was Woodland Hills.

Rizio was unavailable for comment.