Judge: Shelton Wrongly Denied ‘Speakeasy’ Application

FILE PHOTO

Shelton Planning & Zoning Commissioners Jimmy Tickey, Anthony Pogoda, Elaine Matto, Charles Kelly, and Chairwoman Virginia Harger at a meeting Dec. 19, 2017.

A Superior Court judge has thrown out a decision by the Shelton Planning and Zoning Commission that stopped a so-called speakeasy” from opening off Bridgeport Avenue, Hearst Connecticut is reporting.

It’s the latest chapter in the Hush” zoning drama. The business, initially described as a burlesque club,” had residents worried it would be some type of adult entertainment venue.

It was proposed to go into a space at 303 Bridgeport Ave., next to a condo complex.

But the would-be owners said it would simply be a trendy bar with a 1920s theme.

Shelon zoners rejected the application in December 2017. Hush It Up, LLC” appealed the decision in court.

In a written decision dated May 8, Judge Arthur Hiller said the Shelton planning and zoning commission had no basis to reject the application.

The judge pointed out the commission rejected the application, in part, because the town’s land-use regs don’t list speakeasy” as a permitted use. But the Hush” application explained that it was a bar/café with entertainment,” Hiller noted, and explained in detail the 1920s theme.

Overall, Hiller ruled the Shelton Planning and Zoning Commission simply did not have enough evidence to support the denial. He ordered the commission to look again at the formula used to calculate off-street parking requirements for the business.

The judge’s decision is embedded below:

Hush Decision by The Valley Indy on Scribd

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