Developers ask to rezone 249 Legion Avenue; hearing continued for more neighborhood talks

Developers and the property owner of 249 Legion Avenue told the New Haven legislation committee on June 30 that they are pursuing a zoning map amendment to place the parcel fully in the BD2 central business/medical district and to request inclusion in the Downtown‑for‑All overlay. Attorney Danielle Mercury said the goal is to enable a financially viable residential project for the roughly 2.5‑acre site and that the property has been difficult to lease since the original tenant left.

Mercury described the property’s history under prior land‑disposition agreements and explained that a split zone (BA and BD2) made residential redevelopment more challenging. Owner Richard Erso said multiple brokerage efforts and vacant‑building marketing had failed to secure a long‑term tenant, and that rezoning would broaden redevelopment options.

Petitioners said they had met with local alders and that one presiding alder objected to the taller heights allowed by the Downtown‑for‑All overlay; petitioners offered to scale back the overlay request if necessary and asked the committee to keep the public hearing open to continue negotiating with neighborhood stakeholders. The committee agreed to hold the hearing open to allow additional outreach between the applicant and local alders before a final decision.

The committee did not vote on a rezoning tonight; petitioners asked for additional time to meet neighborhood leaders and return with a refined proposal.