Contributed rendering of the building
DERBY — The city’s Planning and Zoning Commission is reviewing a $12 million proposal to build a 70-unit apartment building at the former Lifetouch Studio property at 90 Main St.
Construction plans from Joe Salemme — the developer behind the luxury Hawks Ridge development in Shelton — were put to a public hearing in front of the commission Tuesday.
The hearing was continued until next month to allow the city engineer to review drainage and stormwater management plans for the project.
If the commission approves the project, Salemme said he’s hopeful construction can begin in the spring.
Architect Patrick Rose said the plan calls for construction of a four-story, L‑shaped building on the 1.4‑acre site. The 70 market-rate apartments would include 40 studio apartments; 26 one-bedroom units and four, two-bedroom units.
Rose said the building would also feature a fitness center.
Salemme said he’d also like to have a coffee shop or café on the first floor, featuring a trolley-style front entrance “to play on the city’s history” of being a “trolley town” in the late 1800s. The trolleys were eventually replaced in 1937 by buses.
The project is being called “Trolley Pointe,” a reference to Derby’s past. The apartments would be market-rate, meaning rent would be as high as the market can bear.
The building’s exterior would emulate an industrial look, complete with brick details and metal panels, along with a modern-looking 52-foot high entry tower on the corner facing Route 34/Main Street with a “trolley themed element to pay homage to the city’s electric trolley history,” Rose said.
“We are very excited to move forward on the development of the former Lifetouch building with what we think is a very attractive apartment building,” Salemme said. “We’re looking forward to getting started on this project. I think it’s good timing with the redevelopment of Route 34. We hope the apartment building can be complete at same time as the Route 34 improvements.”
Commission Chairman Ted Estwan was impressed by the project. The project is within the Derby Redevelopment Zone, an area along the Housatonic River that just hasn’t been able to attract activity. That makes “Trolley Pointe” a big step forward.
It’s a redevelopment project similar to the successful redevelopment projects that have happened in Shelton on Canal Street, which is within walking distance of 90 Main St.
“Overall the project is a great welcome to the entrance of downtown Derby,” Estwan said. “This has always been a focal point…it’s the gateway to Derby. And I’m very impressed you (Salemme) took the trolley name and incorporated it into the design.”
Carmen DiCenso, the city’s economic development liaison, has been working with Salemme for a few years on several options for the site, but everyone seems to agree the apartment building will be the best fit for the area.
“Joe dug in his heels, took down the (Lifetouch) building and is ready to go, and we really appreciate his interest in Derby,” DiCenso said.
The defunct Lifetouch property-which for decades served as the hub for school photography- sits in a highly visible location near the Route 8 south on-ramp, and is also part of the city’s long-vacant downtown redevelopment zone.
Development of the Lifetouch site will tie in with a major rehaul of the downtown area slated by Derby Downtown LLC for Factory Street, which is supposed to include a mixed-use development of 203 market-rate apartments, retail and restaurants.
However, that project has yet to break ground, despite receiving approvals from the city in February.
