New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Shelton developer bringing 55-and-over housing to city
SHELTON — Ben Perry has stumbled onto what he believes will be a profitable addition to his development portfolio.
The local developer, owner of S&G of Shelton, is in the process of constructing phase one of The Crossroads, a 55-and-older active adult community, the first such development built in the city since the 1970s, according to the nearly lifelong Shelton resident.
“I thought there was a need for this in this area, and it has been quite a success already,” Perry said as he walked through one of the 12 units located at 96 Long Hill Cross Road. “Many people are looking to downsize. Many are looking for a second or a third home.
“I have people moving here from other states.
They have homes in other places but have family close, so they are coming here,” Perry added.
But Perry, who has spent most of his life in the building business and has owned Shelton-based Connecticut Waste Transfer, was not planning on this type of development in the initial planning process. He simply wanted to develop condos on the property.
It was during the Planning and Zoning application process that he began to see the benefit of this type of project — and in the end he sees this has the niche he was looking for.
“This is working out very well,” said Perry, who already has eight of the 12 units in phase one sold and deposits in place for a handful of the 18 units to be built in phase two, which will not begin until next year.
“P&Z talked to me about this, and I’m fine with it,” Perry said. “The people are buying, and they are pleasure to deal with.”
S&G of Shelton originally filed a proposal in 2018 to develop this 5.57-acre site — which sits between Bridgeport Avenue and Route 8, essentially behind the Crown Point Center retail area and near a large recycling facility — that was denied by the commission. Perry then appealed the ruling in court.
The appeal was ultimately settled before the pandemic, with Perry agreeing to make 10 percent of the units (three total) affordable under the state statute 8-30g — which governs qualifying affordable units under state law. All units are deed restricted to individuals 55 and older.
“This was one of the tools we used to get the project moving forward,” Perry said about the inclusion of the affordable units. “There really is not a big difference in price point between affordable and regular sales. I needed this to get this project moving, and I was happy to include it.”
The Crossroads offers five-room townhouses that are about 1,600 square feet with one-level living, Perry said. The units have open floor plans, with a large kitchen, full bath, master bedroom and washer-dryer on the first floor for convenience, Perry said, adding the second floor is loft style with a second bathroom.
There are one or two garage units available. The final approved proposal calls for 88 spaces on site after the entire project is complete.
“Shelton is a hot spot
right now,” Perry said, adding that the low taxes and location near access to major cities like Bridgeport, New Haven and Hartford are a key drawing point. “Availability of services, quality of living, central location. Shelton has become its own hub. You have everything here.”
This is the latest development for Perry, who began his career as a youth working alongside his father on contracting jobs in lower Fairfield County.
“I have been in the construction industry my whole life,” said Perry, who grew up in Shelton, graduating from Shelton High before volunteering his time and even running for political office in the city. “I owned (Connecticut Waste Transfer) for 13 years, then moved on, and now I’m developing and building again.”
Perry’s company has completed housing developments in Seymour as well as Perry Hill Estates, some 20 units, in Shelton as well as a handful of single home builds in the area.
But these adult communities may be his development of choice in the future.
“There is a definite need, and I feel S&G of Shelton can answer that need,” Perry added. “This is going to be a big part of our work going forward, I think.”