Washington Street proposal not appealing to all

NORWICH -

With three City Council sponsors behind them, developers Carpionato-LaBossiere Properties LLC Friday announced plans for a 20,000-square-foot, $9 million retail project on Washington Street, in the same area neighbors fought against the commercial overlay district proposal.

The project will span seven properties on Washington Street and will include retail outlets for a national pharmacy, a local bank and a national coffee shop designed as separate buildings, according to a statement released by TCORS, the developer’s law firm.

The developers also plan to relocate Julian Street and add a traffic light in the Washington and Lafayette street intersection.

Friday, the group filed an application for a zoning map change to rezone the subject properties to neighborhood commercial. Aldermen Jackie Caron, John Crooks and Larry Goldman signed the proposed ordinance as sponsors in August.

In their statement, Robert LaBossiere said the group signed the final option contract this week, and they expect the project will generate more than $175,000 in additional annual tax revenue for the city as well as 45 new jobs.

Originally, the group was seeking approval for a commercial overlay district text amendment, which Norwichtown residents feared would affect this area. The amendment was not a map change and had no specific site attached to it.

After citing a deteriorating political climate, the group withdrew the proposal in July, the same day the council would have voted on it.

Since then, neighbors have feared the issue would return. Residents of Washington Street formed the Norwich Neighborhoods Coalition and have been attending council meetings regularly.

"We are very disappointed that this spot zone is being introduced, especially on the eve of city elections,” said Marterese Ferrari, spokeswoman for the coalition. “The timing effectively silences the entire Norwich citizenry on one of the few election issues being debated.”

Ferrari also said the relocation of Julian Street is upsetting.

“The idea that it would be acceptable to relocate a dead-end road and introduce commercial traffic is appalling,” she said.

Goldman said he has no problem with the developers trying to push this forward.

“This route is a busy highway and it begs for retail,” he said. “With their design and the road widening, they may even help the traffic situation.

“On the other hand, they have every right to do this. I won’t stop them from making a proposal. The neighbors won’t be happy, but they live right off Route 2,” Goldman said. “If their neighbors have agreed to sell to a developer, there’s nothing we can do about it.”

In the statement, LaBossiere said the site met all the criteria for a zone change determination specified in the city charter.

“The council has frequently approved zone changes in the past for similar sites located in other parts of the city,” he said. “We are hopeful a strong majority of council members will find the application is consistent with the interests of the 38,000 people in the community.”

Crooks said he sponsored the ordinance because he’s come to the conclusion development of one type or another is inevitable in that area.

“The developer has accumulated a number of options, and if the zone change is not granted, I’m  convinced a nonprofit development, which is compatible with a residential zone, will go there,” Crooks said. “If we’re faced with any development, we need to make sure it’s yielding taxable revenue.”

While he is sympathetic to residents of that area, Crooks said he had to think of the rest of the city.

“Others will find that proximity to the hospital very valuable,” he said. “Clinics, parking areas, utilities and all sorts of uses are permitted under an R-20 zone, and the council would be powerless to stop it.”

Caron said just because an ordinance is signed does not mean it is supported.