Google Maps
A loophole in zoning regulations is enabling a third liquor store to open on a single block across from the Green — unless neighbors succeed in shutting it down.
Woodbridge business owner Manjul Prasad has received a provisional permit from the state to open a package store called Temple Wine at 161 Temple, in the same square block across from the Green as two others, College Wine and The Wine Thief.
Neighbors at a Downtown and Wooster Square community management team meeting discussed filing a remonstrance with the state arguing a liquor store is an “unfit use” of the space, formerly occupied by Bottega, a boutique shoe store. They have until Jan. 8 to file the objection in Hartford.
Normally local zoning regulations say stores with package permits must be more than 1,500 feet from each other. But an exception — Section 42.1(g) — excludes that section of the city from the provision, specifically “the area bounded north by Chapel Street, east by Church Street, south by the Oak Street Connector, and west by Temple Street.”
That area was once the Chapel Square Mall and Macy’s department store, which shut down in 1993 after financial difficulties.
The zoning exception probably was implemented “when Chapel Square Mall was an actual mall,” said Karyn Gilvarg, executive director of the City Plan department. She said it was among “many things [the city] would like to review.”
Win Davis, executive director of the Town Green Special Services District, said at Tuesday’s management team meeting that he has nothing against the owner. But he said he thinks a third store will bring increased litter to the city’s Green.
Aliyya Swaby Photo
“I am always a fan of increasing the retail occupancy rate. But there are some times where we need to examine the use,” he said.
So far, existing liquor stores in the area have not caused any major problems in the area, he said.
The community succeeded in revoking Lazy Lizard Cafe’s liquor permit in April 2014, after filing a remonstrance arguing the establishment at 201 Crown St. had contributed to increased violence in the area. Kevin Coughlin, who heads the management team, said he was prepared to do the same to shut down Temple Wine.
Mahendra Reddy (pictured), manager of College Wine, said he does not want Prasad to open Temple Wine on the other side of the “mall,” because his business will suffer with two competitors nearby. The exception to the local zoning regulation “doesn’t make sense,” he said. “So you can put hundreds [of liquor stores] in the mall?”
Reddy said he had not heard of neighbors’ plans to file a remonstrance, but said he would like to join them.
Prasad and his wife Shiva own DMS Beverage LLC, which they formed on Oct. 27. They also own the Irving Gas station at 801 Whalley Ave.
They did not respond to a call from the Independent to their home phone number.
Even on Farren Avenue, we find the root of the problem is in city zoning and lack of ordinance.