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ZBA denies beer-sales variance for Shell station at 1923 Boston Ave
Summary
The Bridgeport Zoning Board of Appeals denied a request to allow beer sales at an existing Shell gas station at 1923 Boston Ave, finding the applicant’s claimed economic hardship did not meet statutory criteria and citing protected uses within 750 feet.
The Bridgeport Zoning Board of Appeals voted to deny a variance and special-permit request that would have allowed beer sales at the Shell station at 1923 Boston Avenue.
Applicant representatives, who identified themselves in the hearing as Sarah and Alkar U, said the site is already developed as a gas station and convenience store and argued that keeping beer sales is necessary for existing customers. "Our hardship is the property is already developed as a gas station and grocery store...there is no reasonable way to relocate and redesign the site," the applicant said during the hearing.
Several speakers opposed the request. Orlando Diaz, the owner of property adjacent to the site, said adding alcohol sales would increase loitering and disorder, arguing, "bringing alcohol into the area is just not good…it's going to create hang out crime." City Councilwoman Maria Pereira urged denial on statutory grounds, telling the board: "Under the state statute, the hardship is with the parcel…it's not with any structure." Pereira said Hall School and a state-licensed daycare are within the 750-foot protected radius and that the parcel-based hardship requirement was not met.
Board members said economic loss to a business does not constitute the type of hardship required for a variance under Connecticut law and the local zoning code. At the meeting’s formal vote on the deferred application, a motion "to deny for lack of hardship" carried, and the board confirmed denial of the request.
The board’s finding is procedural and tied to the variance standard; no criminal or code-enforcement action was discussed. The denial is final as of the meeting vote; the applicant may choose to seek other remedies or revise any future application.
