SHELTON--Dozens of people came out to a Shelton Planning and Zoning meeting on Tuesday night to express their opposition to a proposed residential and retail development in the city.
The proposal, slated for a 121-acre parcel off of Bridgeport Avenue, includes a luxury apartment building, high-end retail stores, restaurants and office and medical building space.
The group Save Our Shelton staunchly opposes the development.
"Traffic is going to be a significant issue," said neighbor Gregory Tetro. "The environment is going to be a very big issue."
Group members showed up with signs and stickers, and voiced their concerns to the Planning and Zoning Commission. "It's just a shame what they're doing to this community," said Tetro.
On the other side of the issue is Bradley Wells, a lifelong Shelton resident whose family owns the 121-acre parcel. "It is an undiscovered diamond for Fairfield County," said Wells.
Wells pointed out that the project will leave several acres of open space and bring in tax dollars.
"The additional housing, the additional tax revenue and proper planning will add so much character to this town," said Wells.
At Tuesday night's meeting, Planning and Zoning Commission members asked several preliminary questions, raising concerns about increased traffic, the project's environmental impact and tax revenue.
To move the development forward, the Planning and Zoning Commission must re-zone the land as a "planned development district." It is currently zoned as a "light industrial" area.
Commissioner Ruth Parkins said that process will take as long as necessary.
"Anybody has a right to develop property," said Parkins. "We just have to follow our regulations and let the process take its course. That's very important."
