Board approves seven‑unit redevelopment at 62 West Main Street with one affordable unit

The Milford Planning and Zoning Board on Sept. 2 approved a special exception and site plan to demolish an existing two‑family house at 62 West Main Street and construct a seven‑unit multifamily building in the RO (Residential‑Office) zone. Thomas Lynch, attorney for the applicant, said neighbors and the property owner reached a settlement with a neighbor about landscaping and access that eliminated a prior objection.

Lynch said the existing structure, dating from the late 19th century and described in the record as dilapidated, would be removed and replaced by a seven‑unit building with landscaping, parking and an access easement to address a neighbor’s maintenance concerns. He offered to designate one of the seven units as an affordable unit under Connecticut General Statutes Section 8‑30g, with restrictions recorded for 40 years, and the board’s approving motion included that condition.

Public commenters raised historic‑preservation and neighborhood‑scale concerns, traffic and parking questions, and urged retention of the house. Attorney Lynch and the applicant said a prior November vote had failed because it fell one vote short of the seven‑member supermajority required for a special exception; he returned with revised plans and a legal agreement addressing a neighbor’s landscaping concerns. Lynch noted that city departments, including the fire department and police, had reviewed the revised plans and that the city engineer’s comments could be made conditions of approval.

Board members supporting the motion described the site as suitable for infill residential development in proximity to downtown and transit, and said the applicant’s voluntary offer to provide one affordable unit helped meet community housing goals. The motion to approve specified that one of the seven units would be dedicated as an affordable unit at 80% of area median income under CGS 8‑30g; the approval passed on roll call.