Will a zone change at the former Crabtree site simply pave the way for a McDonald’s?
One Shelton Planning and Zoning commissioner is worried that would be the case.
As the commission continued to deliberate a proposed zone change and development concept at the site, Joan Flannery Tuesday said she is opposed to the changes.
Flannery said the land should be developed as an office park, not another retail development.
“What we need on this land is an office building to generate maximum amount of taxes for the city,” Flannery said. “I understand right now the economy is bad, and an office building might not be needed. Then we must wait until the economy improves.”
Flannery said the zone change would allow any kind of development in the future — including a McDonald’s or a similar fast food joint, which would generate tons of traffic.
Planning Consultant Tony Panico said the commission will eventually have to approve a site plan for the property, which will give them some control over what gets put there.
Planning and Zoning Commissioners are weighing the possibilities as they continue to deliberate on a proposed zone change and development concept that could bring retail to the former car dealership.
In their second meeting since a public hearing on the proposal was closed in October, commissioners Tuesday outlined concerns and possible solutions to traffic at the site, building size and entrance placements.
Background
Blakeman Construction wants to redevelop the property, and possibly bring a food store, a bank and a coffee shop to the site.
The developer has requested a zone change — from “Restricted Business District” to “Planned Development District” — that would allow more commercial uses at the site beyond the car dealership.
Along with the zone change, Blakeman has presented a conceptual plan for what he’d like to build at the site, as required in the city’s regulations.
Specific tenants haven’t been named, because it’s hard to get a tenant to sign a lease while a zone change is hanging in the air, Blakeman’s attorney, Dominick Thomas, has said.
Discussion Points
Panico Tuesday outlined some of the issues commissioners are trying to build consensus on.
One is where to allow cars to enter and exit the proposed retail development.
For example, commissioners are adamant they don’t want people exiting the development onto Nells Rock Road, a winding residential road that drops drivers off at Bridgeport Avenue at the corner of the old Crabtree property.
Other topics of discussion included whether to allow one large building, or require it be separated into two buildings.
Panico also spoke about the ability to require landscaping at the corner of Nells Rock Road and Bridgeport Avenue.
“This corner aught to be something attractive,” Panico said. “Something nice can be done.”
Concerns
“Traffic is a major concern at the site.
As the land is currently zoned, only low-traffic uses are allowed. Commissioners — and several residents who spoke at a public hearing on the proposal — have said a grocery store would draw too much traffic to the area, increasing the risk of accidents and traffic congestion.
There are several homes and condominiums behind the site. Residents said Nells Rock Road is already congested.
If the commission approves the zone change it would still need to approve a final site plan for the property.
According to the Planned Development District regulations, that site plan needs to mirror the conceptual plan. If major changes are made, the commission can hold another public hearing on the proposal.
