New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Mixed-use plan draws opposition
WEST HAVEN — First and foremost, Bridgette Hoskie wants a good new neighbor.
Hoskie, a city councilwoman, lives adjacent to a site targeted for a proposed mixed-use development project at 291 Campbell Ave. and 288 Washington Ave. The development would include razing the former American Buckle Co. factory on the Campbell Avenue property.
The proposal, being developed by New Havenbased real estate businessman Shmulik Aizenberg, would bring 140 market-rate apartment units to two four-story, L-shaped buildings with ground-floor retail space. The apartments would be managed by Aizenberg’s
rental management company, Ocean Management. The buildings would be 70,000 and 85,000 square feet.
The project first was brought up last year, and the development team said it was prepared to move forward before the coronavirus pandemic brought their plans to a halt. Although development representatives said the plans had not changed, Hoskie disagreed that it had been mentioned in 2020 that 24 of those 140 units would be twobedroom apartments. She said the two-bedroom apartments could mean children, giving her new concerns about how a residential development in a business district could accommodate young people without any playscapes or recreation.
Hoskie and about 15 others had an opportunity to meet with a team of officials behind the planned development for informational purposes.
“I’m concerned about traffic. Washington School is being rebuilt there,” Hoskie said.
Hoskie said Washington Avenue is treated as “a freeway to miss the lights on Campbell.” She said the problem has gotten worse recently, with several collisions.
However, Kathryn Gagnon of Langan Engineering said a traffic study conducted in March 2020 found 55 vehicles would leave the area between 7 and 9 a.m.
Laura Gilmore with Newman Architects said the proposed buildings would be made to capture the spirit of the brick buckle factory, although likely would be made with stucco.
“It recalls the building and creates more of a ground plane for the public to walk through and experience,” she said.
Joe Aveni, with Langan Engineering, said the building would feature native species to catch rainwater.
Richard Moore, co-owner of Amerifix, said drainage in the area is a very serious issue.
“You’re taking away the earth and replacing it with pavement,” he said.
His wife, Ellen Moore, co-owner of Amerifix, said the development might expect cars in parking lots to be flooded if the issue of drainage were not addressed.
Others, who identified themselves only as homeowners, said they were worried about the effect more residential density would have on their property values.
Melissa Saint of Saint Project
Inc., which represents Aizenberg as a developer, said a studio unit at proposed development would be expected to rent for about $1,350 per month and a one-bedroom would be expected to rent for about $1,450 monthly.
The next step for the development team is to earn approval from the Inland Wetlands Agency. Commissioner Bill Kane said the property is within 200 feet of the nearby wetlands, and would fall under the agency’s jurisdiction.