Former Boston Market Property Liquor Permit Granted
A local developer is proposing to transform empty offices off Lordship Avenue into a 14-unit apartment building, the latest proposal to convert unused commercial space into housing.
Gold Coast Properties, LLC aims to complete the renovation of an old, three-story medical office building at 727 Honeyspot Road, according to an application recently filed with town land use officials.
The proposal would take advantage of a new Stratford zoning regulation that allows multifamily workforce housing in certain areas that are currently zoned for single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes and commercial facilities.
“We’re converting a vacant commercial building into workforce housing, which we desperately need in Connecticut,” Easton developer Stephen Shapiro said. “Since the pandemic, office space is not in high demand as it used to be.”
The regulation change was proposed by Gold Coast and approved by the Zoning Commission earlier this year, setting the stage for the Honeyspot Road project and other potential housing developments.
The new rules allow workforce housing in certain areas within half a mile between the Bridgeport border and the intersection of Lordship Boulevard and Access Road and from the intersection of Access Road to Main Street.
The Honeyspot Road application shows the proposed 14-unit apartment building would comprise two studio units, 10 one-bedroom units, and a pair of two-bedroom units.
All the apartments would be deed-restricted affordable units and offered to residents who earn 80% of the area median income. As part of the regulation, town and school system employees would be given the first chance to rent a unit.
“The property is located within the designated development zone, is close to the Stratford industrial area, on a major bus line, with access to I-95 less than a mile from the property,” the application states. “This property is an ideal location for the creation of workforce housing.”
The project is part of a larger push by developers to convert unused commercial spaces into more profitable residential rentals, a trend that accelerated after the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered scores of offices.
In a vote at the Zoning Commission on May 14th, and seeing no members of the public speaking in favor or opposition to the petition, Mr. Petrucelli made a motion to close 727 Honeyspot Road, seconded by Ms. Manos. The motion carried unanimously.
Also approved at the meeting was a liquor permit for 935 Barnum Avenue Cut-off, the site of the former Boston Market. The application was from Luciano Zapf requesting an approval to permit the sale of alcoholic beverages at subject property in accordance with section 4.4.5 of Stratford Zoning Regulations. The location will be the new site for Fairfield Pizza.
1950 Main Street- Petition of Lordship Properties LLC for a Special Permit and Site Plan Review to convert a residential dwelling used as a medical office on the first floor with a two-bedroom apartment on the second floor into a residential building with two one-bedroom apartments on the first floor and one two-bedroom apartment on the second floor. Mr.Petrucelli made a motion to approve petition with the stated conditions, seconded by Ms. Manos. The motion carried unanimously.
Conditions of approval:
- Sediment and Erosion Control Application –
- Accessory Apartment Application- Zoning Enforcement Complaints –
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