The owner of the Sports Center of Connecticut wants to build two new shopping centers on River Road.
Howard Saffan, working under the business name Bishop Development, has proposed building two retail buildings, and one five-story medical office building on separate lots — one across the street from the Sports Center, and one on the land next to it.
The plan — if approved — would transform the neighborhood along the Housatonic River near the Stratford border.
The two proposals are before the Planning and Zoning Commission, which will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. April 27.
Saffan is requesting a zone change to Planned Development District. He presented the conceptual plans for the shopping centers and office building as part of the application.
Saffan would need a separate approval to build the stores and office building if the zone change is approved.
The Sports Center has two ice skating rinks, a driving range, a mini-golf course, a fitness center and an arcade.
The frequent activity there is a draw for new businesses, Saffan told the Planning and Zoning Commission during a public hearing in February.
River Front Property
The larger of the two proposals is for 3.95 acres next to the Sports Center at 762 River Road.
Saffan wants to convert an industrial building into stores and build a five-story office building on the back portion of the lot.
The office building would have a glass exterior in parts, and would potentially house medical offices, Saffan told commissioners, according to minutes from the hearing.
The tallest part of the building would be 72-feet tall, the same height as the Sports Center, according to Joe Mingolello, an architect for the project.
The site would have 262 shared parking spots. The office building would be set back 100 feet from the river, so there is potential to add a boardwalk or public access to the water, Saffan said.
The Office of Long Island Sound Programs weighed in on the application, saying Saffan should aim for a kayak launch, walkway or fishing pier.
Commissioner Joan Flannery, at the hearing, expressed concern that a glass building would result in birds flying into the windows and dying.
A traffic engineer for the project estimated that the center might get 130 to 210 trips during peak hours — the majority of which he said would come from Stratford and Route 15.
Across the Street
Saffan also wants to build a retail strip across the street from the Sports Center, where two residential lots now exist.
He said the project would bring a one-story building that could house up to three shops — including one with a drive-through.
Saffan told the Planning and Zoning Commission at its February hearing that he envisioned the drive-through window being for a bank, not a McDonald’s or a Dunkin’ Donuts.
The shops would have 29 parking spaces.
The proposal would require excavation of rock on the site, according to architect James Swift, who also spoke during the hearing.
