A rendering of the building that is part of the public record.
DERBY — The Derby Planning and Zoning Commission approved a redevelopment project that will bring 70 market-rate apartments to the former Lifetouch Studios property at 90 Main St.
The majority of the apartments will be studio and one-bedroom units. Members of the commission unanimously approved the special exception use site plan application at their Jan. 19 meeting.
Joe Salemme is the developer.
“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 at the commission’s December meeting, when his plans were first under review.
The Valley Indy left a message with Salemme Thursday asking how much monthly rents in the building will cost and when he expects construction to start.
According to previous Valley Indy reporting, 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. A fitness center was said to be among the amenities.
Salemme had talked about wanting to put a cafe or coffee shop within the building. However, that is not happening, as the application approved by the commission did not include anything other than residential.
The project is being called “Trolley Pointe,” as the property was once a repair shop for trolleys, which have an important place in Derby’s history, according to city officials.
“Trolley Pointe” is in the Derby Redevelopment Zone, an area that sits between Main Street and the Housatonic River, stretching from the Derby-Shelton bridge to the Route 8 south entrance ramp.
“Trolley Pointe” is only the second development approved in the zone since 2009.
In February 2020, the Derby Planning and Zoning Commission approved a site plan for 200 apartments on Factory Street, next to Salemme’s property. That project includes 8,000 square feet of retail space.
The developers of the Factory Street project have yet to break ground.
Meanwhile, the City of Derby is also trying to acquire a Factory Street scrapyard that sits near both developments. Officials have said the scrapyard, with large junk piles, is an impediment to investment.
The Derby Board of Aldermen/Alderwomen voted earlier this month to offer $915,000 to purchase 2 Factory St. (currently home to Rubino Brothers, Inc., a tenant).
If the property’s representatives and the city can’t agree on a price — which was the case earlier this month — the city could start the eminent domain process.
John Marini, the attorney representing Derby government, said Thursday that negotiations are ongoing.
Derby wants to put up a public parking lot on the scrapyard property, something that is needed to support development in the redevelopment zone, officials said.
At the Jan. 19 Derby Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, commissioner Ray Sadlik noted the commission had approved two development projects for the zone, and the city was taking steps to deal with the scrapyard — yet the state still hasn’t started the long-planned but always delayed Route 34/Main Street widening project.
Route 34/Main Street is owned by the State of Connecticut.
Derby P&Z Chairman Ted Estwan said he first saw plans for widening Route 34/Main Street in 1998.
Sadlik noted the Tappan Zee Bridge in New York was replaced, and major reconstruction has happened on Interstate 84 in Waterbury — yet Derby is still waiting for the Route 34 project to start.
“We can’t get a half mile of road done?” Sadlik said. “It’s a slap in everyone’s face. It’s an embarrassment to the City of Derby.”
He suggested writing a letter to Derby’s state legislative delegation for help. The members of his commission agreed.
Andrew Baklik, Derby Mayor Rich Dziekan’s chief of staff, said the Derby Board of Aldermen/Alderwomen have invited Rick Dunne, executive director of the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments, to come to a meeting to update the public on the Route 34/Main Street widening project.
Six days after Sadlik’s comments, Derby’s representatives in Hartford toured the redevelopment zone with Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner David Lehman.
Afterward, state Sen. Jorge Cabrera, state Rep. Kara Rochelle, state Rep. Mary Welander, and state Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria issued a statement saying “the legislative delegation is eager to locate opportunities for job creation and economic growth in both Derby and Ansonia.”
Baklik said the approval of 70 apartments on Main Street is a positive signal for downtown Derby. He noted a bid has been awarded to rehabilitate the Derby-Shelton bridge, and that state legislators are eager to help the city.
“The Trolley Pointe approval is another step in the right direction toward developing our downtown,” Baklik said. “The additional residences on Main Street are a key component to the continued overall mixed-use project spanning between Route. 8 and the Derby-Shelton Bridge. Without the captive residential development in our downtown, the commercial/retail development is not a viable option for any developer. Mayor Dziekan is excited to work with Mr. Salemme especially in light of all his success in Shelton. DECD Commissioner David Lehman applauded the project when he was in Derby last week, saying that this type of residential density in a transit-oriented downtown is exactly the type of project the state is looking to support.”
