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Applicants seek special exception to add second unit at 84 Iron Hill; council raises spot-zoning concerns but offers no opposition
Summary
Owners of a blighted property at 84 Iron Hill asked the council for a special exception to convert the lot into a two-unit dwelling. Applicants described heavy repair costs and said an added unit would make the restoration financially viable; council members urged planning commission review and voiced spot-zoning reservations but did not oppose referral.
Lauren Frasco and partner Chris presented a request June 12 asking New Britain Borough Council for a special exception to allow a two-unit configuration at 84 Iron Hill in an R1 zone.
Frasco described the property as a heavily dilapidated mother-daughter house that required extensive remediation and said she had spent personal funds to clear and make the parcel safe. “We put in an offer and it came up for sale and I thought we could fix it,” Frasco said, adding that restoration proved infeasible and that adding a second unit would allow a more affordable product and help recoup investment.
Council members questioned whether granting relief for a single lot would amount to impermissible spot zoning. One member urged caution but acknowledged the street already contains mixed uses and other nonconforming two-family conversions. The council discussed options (subdivision, zoning hearing board, planning commission review) and suggested applicants first present detailed plans to the Planning Commission and consult counsel regarding zoning steps.
No formal council opposition motion was filed; the council indicated it would not take a position against the applicants and advised them to proceed to planning for formal review. That referral means the zoning hearing/Planning Commission process, where neighborhood notice and a formal hearing occur, will be the next step in the land-use review.
Frasco said each new unit would be roughly 2,100–2,200 square feet with three bedrooms and two full baths. Council members asked applicants to consider whether subdividing the lot would be advantageous long term; staff advised that subdivision plus use approval may require additional variances.
The council’s response was procedural: it did not vote to oppose the special-exception application and directed staff to process the applicants’ next steps with planning and zoning.
