Shelton commissioners direct staff to prepare favorable resolution for Crown Point mixed-use plan after concerns addressed

The Shelton Planning and Zoning Commission indicated support Wednesday for a planned development district (PDD) application from Crown Point LLC for properties at 0 Bridgeport Avenue and 48 Long Hill Crossroads, and directed staff to prepare a favorable resolution for action at a future meeting.

The PDD proposal covers mixed uses including a hotel, restaurant (potentially a Texas Roadhouse), grocery and retail space and a Dairy Queen. Commissioners said the applicant had negotiated with nearby residents to remove proposed housing from the upper portion of the site and had reduced the development footprint in response to earlier public concerns.

Commissioners discussed traffic and parking capacity, wetlands crossings and an easement to move a sewer main. Planning staff reported that the Water Pollution Control Authority had approved a proposal to relocate the sewer line but had not taken action on unit counts or other site approvals; additional WPCA approvals would be required before construction.

Several commissioners suggested reserving an area of the site designated as "no-build" as potential future parking if shared parking later proves insufficient. Commissioner comments emphasized balancing commercial development with neighborhood concerns; one commissioner said she preferred to keep the upper parcel in its existing Light Industrial Park (LIP) zoning if possible.

Chair Virginia Harder said she would ask staff to prepare a favorable resolution for consideration at a future meeting so the commission could vote after final technical reviews and permit conditions were clarified.

No final votes to approve the PDD were taken Wednesday; the commission closed the public hearing on this application earlier in the process and held a public discussion now. If the resolution is prepared, the item will return to a commission meeting for a formal vote.