Developer proposes mixed-use project
FAIRFIELD — A new proposal seeks to build a large, mixed-use development on Black Rock Turnpike, that would add thousands of feet of coworking space and nearly 250 apartments.
Post Road Residential is asking the Town Plan and Zoning Commission to conduct a non-binding pre-review on its plans for a five story building with 243 residential units, a 10,000 square foot amenity space and a 6,000 square foot co-working space at 81 Black Rock Turnpike, also known as the Reiner Property.
According to town documents, the approximately five-acre site would host a 300,000-square-foot building that also has parking, courtyards and roof decks. The documents report the building would be 61 feet tall, have a parking garage with 232 spaces and a parking lot with 102 spaces. It notes most of the property’s frontage would be on Ash Creek Boulevard.
“The proposed use will also be a tremendous support to nearby commercial businesses, including the brewpub and other retail stores on the northern side of the train tracks,” it said. “The rehabilitation of the site will turn the property from an economic drain to an economic boost for the neighborhood and the town of Fairfield.”
The site is currently vacant.
Chris Russo, the attorney for the developer, said the property is currently an eyesore and the proposal will completely turn that around. He said it has been designed in a way that is in line with the town’s transit oriented development study.
Russo said the pre-application process allows the developer to show the plans and get feedback from the commission before it begins the formal process.
The developer, Andrew Montelli, said his team built The Anchorage, an apartment complex on Unquowa Road, as well as other large residential facilities in Connecticut and Massachusetts. He said the site for the development, which is industrial, does not have any neighbors who would be opposed to its construction.
“It’s a very insulated project,” he said. “What we’re moving towards is going to be a great building if we get permission to do it.”
Montelli noted there are contaminants on the site, which will take millions of dollars to cap with concrete, adding they have state approval to do so.
Commission Chair Thomas Noonan asked if the developers were aware of the Fairfield Metro development breaking ground nearby, and if they plan to complement it. The developer’s team said they looked at those plans.
Commissioners questioned the development team on topics such as parking, aesthetics, pedestrian pathways, and whether solar panels could be installed in the project. Noonan said the commission was interested in more details going forward and was looking forward to working with them.