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Council refers Ideal Group’s Stiles School redevelopment plan to Planning & Zoning
Summary
The council voted Jan. 27 to send a developer’s proposal to the Planning & Zoning Commission for review; economic development staff said the project would adapt the historic Stiles School into about 30 units in partnership with SeedNH.
The West Haven City Council’s Public Lands Committee on Jan. 27 voted to refer a proposal from Ideal Group LLC to the West Haven Planning & Zoning Commission for review and an advisory report. The referral passed the committee and was approved by the full council by voice vote.
Steve Fontana, the city’s director of economic development, urged the council to support the referral and described the project as an opportunity “to return this tremendously historic and beautiful building to productive use.” He said the developer is working with SeedNH for technical expertise; Fontana and multiple council members identified the proposal as a partnership combining financing and preservation expertise.
Council members asked questions about the developer relationship and schedule. Fontana outlined a draft timetable in which Planning & Zoning could hold a public hearing on Feb. 11 and, if P&Z issues a favorable advisory report, the council could schedule its own public hearing in March. Councilors were told the current plan calls for about 30 residential units.
Council members who live near the site, including Councilman Brian Locks, welcomed redevelopment of the long-vacant school and said they were encouraged by early inspections of comparable projects. The committee and council approved the referral by voice vote with no recorded opposition; the item now goes to the Planning & Zoning Commission for public hearings and technical review.
