Olivia Gross Photo
Builder Michael Frisbie Tuesday at Hamden P&Z.
A proposed mixed-use development including apartments, a convenience store, and a gas/EV charging station on Whitney Avenue gained final approval with conditions Tuesday night at a meeting of the Hamden Planning and Zoning Commission.
The 20,000 square-foot project involves five vacant lots at 3311 Whitney Ave. The lots are currently owned by Quinnipiac University and contain wetland and wooded areas. QU struck a deal to sell the property to Noble Energy Real Estate Holdings LLC once all plans are finalized, with a closing date of June 15. The plan is to build 12 apartments and a market (“nicer than the average New England gas station”) at the base with six gasoline pumps and four EV charging stations outside. It will not have an elevator or ramp. (Click here to read more about the development.)
The P&Z commission Tuesday evening voted unanimously to approve the site plan for the project with conditions. Commissioners expressed concerns about gas leakage and the comfortability of living over a gas station. Noble Energy Principal Michael Frisbie reassured the commission that the needs of the residents would be closely considered.
The official conditions include:
- Accommodating the Hamden zoning requirement that says 20 percent of the units be affordable at or below 60 and 80 percent of area median income.
- Showing amenity space on the site plan.
- Adding a sidewalk detail.
- Posting signs for tenants’ private parking areas.
The proposed storefront, which will face Whitney Avenue.
At least ten Hamden residents expressed opposition to the project, in the form of emails read at the meeting before the vote.
Some argued there’s no need for another gas station on Whitney Avenue. Some said the road is too small to hold the traffic that a multi-family development would bring. Some expressed dismay because they said Quinnipiac University has claimed it would not expand further into the community. Some argued for preserving open space. One simply said, “Oppose.”
“I’m excited to move the project forward. Hamden seems like a great community,” Frisbie said after the meeting. He plans to move forward and obtain building permits to start construction.
The principals of Noble Energy, Abdulghani Tammo and Michael Frisbie, have built a similar mixed-use gas station-centered project in Hartford and run seven Noble Gas sites altogether in the state. They tend to operate the projects they build, Frisbie said.
Olivia Gross Photo
“ The lots are currently owned by Quinnipiac University and contain wetland and wooded areas.”
“ Commissioners expressed concerns about gas leakage and the comfortability of living over a gas station.”
“ At least ten Hamden residents expressed opposition to the project, in the form of emails read at the meeting before the vote.”
“Some argued there’s no need for another gas station on Whitney Avenue. Some said the road is too small to hold the traffic that a multi-family development would bring. Some expressed dismay because they said Quinnipiac University has claimed it would not expand further into the community. Some argued for preserving open space. One simply said, “Oppose.””