Opponents prevail in self-storage battle

      

        BRIDGEPORT REPORT

     

     By Reginald Johnson 

      BRIDGEPORT ---  A determined effort by local residents to block construction of a 1,000 unit self-storage facility at the old Stop and Shop on Madison Avenue paid off Monday, with the Planning and Zoning Commission rejecting the plan put forth by developer Hugh Scott.

   The panel voted against the proposal 4-2 following a hearing at City Hall attended by more than 30 people, many of them holding up signs expressing opposition to the project.

   Critics said that the self-storage facility was not in keeping with the residential character of the area and they urged that some type of housing be built instead.

  “Put self-storage units somewhere else but not here,” said one resident. “Affordable housing is strongly encouraged.”

  Neighbors in the city’s North End have been fighting the self-storage facility idea since it was first floated earlier this year. A number of scheduled hearings on the proposal were postponed by the developer, triggering more resentment at the project.

 However, Scott ran out of continuances this month and the hearing went forward. Scott maintained that his development would revitalize the site (where the Stop and Shop has sat vacant for 11 years) and self-storage space is badly needed in the Bridgeport area.

                 

North End residents showed up at City Hall Monday to oppose the proposal for a 1,000-unit self-storage facility at the site of the old Stop and Shop on Madison Avenue. The zoning commission voted to reject the plan. (Reginald Johnson photo) 

 

   But the developer got no support for his plan from any residents and city officials also opposed the idea. Thomas Gaudett, deputy chief of staff for Mayor Joseph Ganim, who is running for reelection this year,  testified that while the city is always looking for new development, the administration was against the idea of the self-storage at the Madison Avenue location.

  “We need to do things that are compatible with the neighborhood,” he said, adding that development of housing would be more appropriate.

  Opponents also got support from local city council members, including Michelle Lyons and AmyMarie Vizzo-Paniccia.

  “This proposal is inconsistent with the surrounding neighborhood,” said Lyons, who strongly urged the development of senior housing, which she said is in short supply.

 Also speaking against the plan were former state representative Chris Caruso and current state representative for the North End, Marcus Brown.

 Gaudett said the city will continue to work with Scott on developing housing at the site, including bringing in state officials to discuss the idea of financial assistance.