Overview:
Commissioners raised concerns about the plan, but said they’d leave it to city staff and the Aldermen to review and take further action.
ANSONIA – Members of the planning & zoning commission voted to accept a site plan application which could put 14 apartments in the old police station at 2 Elm St.
Developer Fredi Lalaj purchased the property in 2023 from the city for $320,000. He said at the time he wanted to convert it into a data center. This year, however, Lalaj has submitted requests to turn the first and second floors of the station into apartments.
The new site plan application – which has one fewer apartment than an earlier plan from February – now goes to city staff for review.
The newest site plan application includes four studio apartments, eight one-bedroom apartments, and two two-bedroom apartments. The basement would be converted into storage, mechanical, and electrical rooms under the plan as submitted.
However, Michael Mastrogiacomo, a representative appearing on behalf of Lalaj, said the basement plans could change. He said, in response to a question from commissioner Tim Holman, that Lalaj was still looking at bringing businesses into the basement.
“Is there still plans for a data center?” Holman asked.
“That, I don’t know. The owner’s still going back and forth with different things,” Mastrogiacomo said.
The plan also includes 19 parking spaces, with some pavement removed from the property to add in grass and landscaping.
Commissioner Tony Levinsky, who also sits on the Board of Aldermen, said the developer’s request for apartments may violate the terms of the 2023 sale. He said the city sold the land on the condition it would be used for a commercial purpose.
His comments echo others made by city officials when they last discussed the property in February. Corporation counsel John Marini said at the time the city could buy the property back instead of allowing it to be turned into apartments.
The Valley Indy requested a copy of the 2023 sale contract Sept. 30.
A public hearing would need to be held before the commission can approve any application. Commission Chairman Jared Heon said the commission would wait until the next meeting to schedule a public hearing.
The building has a long history in Ansonia. It was originally the site of the Larkin School, named after Annie Larkin, who was principal for 35 years before retiring in 1933.
In 1980, the police department moved in, staying there for the next forty years. They moved to their current location on Main Street in 2021, after years of deteriorating and cramped conditions. The building has been empty since then.
The commission is next scheduled to meet Oct. 27.