An architect who played a key role in turning downtown Seymour into a quaint destination is eyeing an aging factory on Roosevelt Drive in Derby.
Joseph Migani, of O’Riordan Migani Architects, LLC in Seymour, appeared in front of the Derby Planning and Zoning Commission Tuesday (Feb. 21) to discuss a “pre-application” for a 2‑acre property that stretches from Galliard Drive to B Street.
The property fronts Roosevelt Drive (Route 34). Park Avenue, a residential street, borders the rear of the property.
Clearly Derby, a Facebook group created by Derby resident Judy Szewczyk, reported Tuesday night that Migani discussed a conceptual project with the P&Z Commission that could include:
- 3,000 square feet of retail space
- 25 senior apartments
- 70 parking spaces
- Community and wellness center and support spaces
Szewczyk is the wife of Tony Szewczyk, an alternate member of the Planning and Zoning Commission. Tony Szewczyk provided the information for the Clearly Derby post.
The details discussed Tuesday were strictly conceptual, as Migani does not own the property in question — nor would all those uses be allowed there under its current zoning designation of industrial.
The idea Tuesday was to float the idea in front of the P&Z to get a barometer reading of its members.
The members’ reaction was “deemed favorable,” according to Clearly Derby.
However, an application for a project has not been filed — nor does the discussion necessarily mean an application is on the way.
“The Planning and Zoning Commission will sometimes ask a potential applicant to bring their ideas before the Planning and Zoning Commission for an informal informational session to explain what they may apply for in the future,” said David Kopjanski, a Derby building official.
Migani is in negotiations with the owner of the property, listed on tax records as 252 Roosevelt Drive, LLC.
The property, which dates back more than 100 years as an industrial business, was formerly Rubber Specialties, Inc., a company owned for many years by prominent Derby resident Patrick A. Mainolfi, who passed away in 2009.
The aging building has many broken windows on the side facing Route 34. In addition, the sidewalk along Route 34 in front of the building is strewn with broken glass and what looks like shingles from the roof.
Migani declined to talk about the property Thursday, saying it is too early to comment.
“We are unable to assist you at this time, however, because the terms and conditions for acquiring the property were conditional and have not yet been resolved,” Migani said in an e-mail.
The agent for Greater New Haven Realty, the company listing the property, also declined to comment.
The property is in an industrial zone, with residential housing across the street on Park Avenue.
A zone change in 2007 or 2008 allowed housing on the property in question, Kopjanski said. However, the P&Z later rescinded the approval after owners of neighboring businesses in the industrial zone complained.
A hotel was proposed at the property in 2006.
The audio recording and meeting minutes from Tuesday’s meeting were not yet available at City Hall Thursday.
Ted Estwan, Jr., the chairman of the Derby P&Z Commission, couldn’t comment for this article because he was not at Tuesday’s meeting.
Steven A. Jalowiec filled in as chairman, but the voicemail for his publicly-listed phone number was full.
