Allan Appel Photo
The Greater Dwight Development Corporation is about to become even greater.
It has purchased a stately historic building at the corner of Maple Street and Ella Grasso Boulevard through a bank foreclosure.
The plan: Rehab it, preserve its period character and green space, and use it to expand early childcare opportunities in the area.
GDDC Chair Linda Townsend-Maier was on hand this past Tuesday night at the regular meeting of the Board of Zoning Appeals to advance that prospect.
Townsend-Maier, right, with Edgewood Alder Evette Hamilton before the BZA hearing commenced.
Specifically her group sought two special exceptions to allow for zero off-street parking when five are required by ordinance; they also sought exemption from providing a dedicated drop-off/pick up loading space.
With the assistance Emilee Gaebler of the Yale Law School Community and Economic Development Clinic, Maier explained how the Montessori School nearby on Edgewood Avenue —the corporation is the landlord there as well — has maxed out its space.
The purchased building, when rehabbed, would provide on the first floor two rooms for 16 more kids, little ones who toddle and babies, while the upstairs would be residential rental units. All the uses are as of right. The zoners simply had to agree that there was sufficient on-street parking on the generally quiet Maple Street and on this stretch of Ella Grasso Boulevard that required parking could be had on the street.
The BZA commissioners agreed in principal. Yet because the request involved parking, the matter was referred to the City Plan for a hearing before it returns to the zoners for a final vote.
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Local Dwight Alder Yvette Hamilton was the only speaker from the public on the matter.
“Wells Fargo has held it [the property] hostage [and empty] for five years,” she said.
The neighbors are behind the plan, she added, and are comfortable with the school and the Greater Dwight Development Corporation taking charge of the space.
“We’ll see you in February,” said BZA Chair Carmen Melendez, after she instructed the applicants that their next stop, to review the parking, would be City Plan.
This is exactly what our communities need. Folks within our communities starting businesses that serve the community. As a neighbor, I am in support of this venture.
All In. Together. Now.