Shelton proposal features downtown garage and rooftop beer garden

SHELTON — Concerns about downtown parking could be quelled, at least in part, with a planned development on the corner of Center Street and Coram Avenue.

A developer, 62 Center, LLC, presented plans to the Planning and Zoning Commission Wednesday calling for a structure with first floor retail space, a rooftop beer garden and restaurant with five levels of parking in between.

“We are starved for parking (downtown),” said Commissioner Jimmy Tickey. “It is good to see this proposal.”

The developer had earned Planning and Zoning Commission approval years ago to construct apartments at the corner of Coram Avenue and Center Street, but is now looking to alter the plans to remove the residential units.

This application would modify the existing Planned Development District for the property, listed as 62-66 Center St. and 325 Coram Ave. The public hearing, opened Wednesday, was continued to another meeting.

Many residents, business owners and commission members have raised concerns about the lack of parking downtown. Some have even suggested that a parking garage might be the solution.

The property is a 0.48acre site that includes the building that held Jeff’s Appliance and a house. The property sits next to 52 Center St., a building that houses Shelton Printing.

The developers’ plan calls for 2,800 square feet of retail space with 17 parking spaces on the first floor, then five levels of parking, which the application states will be for public use with restricted spaces for tenants and downtown businesses, which would lease spaces.

Attorney Dominick Thomas, representing the developers, said no business plan has been established as of yet, but parking will be reserved for the retail and restaurant, with the remaining being “fee based.”

Each remaining parking level will have 31 spaces. In all, there would be 162 parking spaces in the structure, which would include a rooftop restaurant/beer garden with a 6,237-square-foot indoor restaurant and 4,338 square feet of rooftop dining space.