Commission approves modified mixed-use PDD at 509-517 Mohawk Drive with map filing condition

The Shelton Planning and Zoning Commission granted approval Wednesday to a modified PDD for 509-517 Mohawk Drive (Application 25-10) that scales back a previously approved, larger plan and converts existing building space to mixed commercial and residential uses.

The revised proposal keeps the building footprint, adds two stories in a limited area, and reduces the residential total from an earlier 27 units to 12 apartments (a mix of studios and one-bedrooms, and two basement units were described by the applicant). The applicant said the reconfigured plan will preserve existing storefronts along Howe Avenue while adding an elevator and new residential access points.

Parking: under current zoning calculations and the revised unit count, the applicant said the site meets parking requirements with roughly 21 spaces on the main lot and additional parking behind the building; the commission conditioned approval on the applicant providing an updated parking/property map within seven days.

Outcome: the commission closed the public hearing and approved the application on a 5-0 roll-call vote with the map-submission condition. The applicant acknowledged outstanding items (signage plan, final engineering) would be addressed in final site development plans.

Why it matters: the approval allows conversion and modest vertical expansion of an existing downtown building while formalizing a smaller residential count and securing conditions that staff will verify before final sign-off.