Shelton panel approves conversion of former Residence Inn into 96 apartments with 19 deed-restricted units

Shelton — The Shelton Planning and Zoning Commission voted to approve a major modification to Planned Development District (PDD) No. 8 on Sept. 10, allowing conversion of the existing extended-stay hotel at 1001 Bridgeport Avenue to a multifamily residential development of up to 96 units.

Under the resolution the commission approved, the site would retain the existing configuration of 13 buildings reclassified as residential consisting of 72 studio units and 24 two-bedroom units. The applicant agreed to deed-restrict 19 units — restricted at 80% of area median income (AMI) for 40 years — to address the city’s affordable housing goals and to comply with Connecticut General Statute 8-30g.

The commission’s vote followed a public hearing held Aug. 27 and the commission’s review of amended final site development plans, a parking analysis and a traffic impact assessment prepared by Soli Engineering and Soley Engineering. The applicant represented that the conversion would raise on-site parking from 106 to 120 spaces; the commission accepted that increase but imposed conditions because additional parking beyond 120 was not feasible due to site constraints including ledge and retaining walls.

Key conditions adopted with the approval include: relocation of one proposed parking space away from an abutting neighbor to preserve buffers; repaving and restriping the parking lot with four additional spaces designated by pavers if feasible; repair and maintenance of perimeter fencing and vegetated buffers; replacement or shielding of exterior fixtures to meet dark-sky lighting standards; enlargement and repair of the trash-disposal enclosure with an additional access gate and staff review of a second trash/recycling location; and installation of 2 to 4 electric-vehicle (EV) charging stations or preparation of conduit for future expansion.

The commission’s resolution requires the property to be professionally managed, with the management company responsible for tenant screening, rent collection, and compliance and reporting obligations relating to the 8-30g deed restrictions. The applicant told the commission each unit will be separately metered for electric and water and that management will maintain a leasing office and two maintenance staff on-site with 24/7 availability for residents.

Commissioners discussed a range of neighborhood concerns raised at the public hearing, including spillover lighting, the location and size of the trash area, preservation of a vegetated buffer between properties, adequacy of parking for visitors and whether interior renovations would be required. The commission’s written findings note these concerns and incorporate them into the conditions of approval; the resolution also states traffic analysis demonstrates no increase in peak-hour trips compared with existing hotel use.

The resolution sets adoption language and an effective date: the first amended statement of uses and standards for PDD No. 8 will take effect as of Sept. 26 at 8 a.m., subject to submission and endorsement of final plans and satisfaction of the listed conditions.

The commission approved the resolution in a roll-call vote; the motion to approve passed with five votes in favor, one opposing vote and one abstention. Commissioner Kelly was recorded as abstaining. The resolution directs the applicant to coordinate with city staff and utilities to confirm billing/connection arrangements with the Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA) as part of final plan endorsement.

The property is owned by Grand Prix Shelton LLC and the petition was filed by a petitioner identified in commission documents as Dominic Thomas for CTO 3 LLC. The files submitted to the commission include amended final site development plans dated July 17, 2025, a parking analysis dated June 18, 2025, and a traffic impact assessment dated June 22, 2025.

The commission’s action is administrative approval of the major modification; permits and building- or zoning-related inspections required for conversion remain subject to staff review and the conditions in the resolution.

"This redevelopment will provide housing while imposing conditions meant to protect abutters and public infrastructure," the commission’s written findings state. The record indicates staff will monitor compliance through plan endorsement and permit review.

The resolution and related plans were added to the city’s project files for follow-up by planning staff and building officials.