Milford Mall Owners Make New Pitch For Housing: Here's How It's Different Now

MILFORD, CT — If you first don't succeed, try, try, and try again. This seems to be the motto adopted by the owners of the Connecticut Post Mall, 1201 Boston Post Road.

For the third time, the owners of the state's largest mall will be back before the Planning and Zoning Board, hoping to get approval on a zone change which would allow for housing on the site.

Two prior plans, which would have led to 300 apartments and several other changes, have been rejected by the zoning board.

The latest request for a zone change will be held 7 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall in Milford.

Here are the highlights of the proposed regulation change as submitted by mall owners:

• The intent of this section is to facilitate the revitalization of regional shopping malls, including the development of multi-family dwelling units in three phases of no more than 250 units per phase, subject to the requirements herein.
• The first phase shall include a plaza and multifamily dwelling units within a mixed-use building. Multi-family dwelling units in subsequent phases may be located within either exclusively residential buildings or mixed-use buildings.
• No more than 750 dwelling units shall be located on an SCD 50 Parcel as it exists on the date of the enactment of this Section 3.9A, regardless of any later subdivision. 4 (2) No more than 250 dwelling units shall be approved in any two-year period (each a “Phase”).
• Plaza Area: an application for Phase I Mixed Use Residential buildings shall include meaningful contiguous open space open to the public of not less than 25,000 square feet at grade level, improved with suitable landscape and hardscape features, including but not limited to, decorative plantings, benches, seating areas, play spaces, features that honor the historic legacy of the City of Milford, and public gathering spaces.
• Affordability Requirements: No less than 10% of the dwelling units in any phase shall be affordable housing as defined and in accordance with Connecticut General Statute § 8-30g.
• Design Considerations: The overall development should feature high quality design that creates a pedestrian, resident, and customer-friendly atmosphere throughout the SCDD. Buildings shall have a significant level of transparency along the ground floor fronting on any sidewalk or street. In general, 50% or more of the ground floor façade should be comprised of windows, doors, or other transparent elements that are subdivided appropriately, where practical. Architecture must be designed in a manner that visually enlivens the area it faces and enhances the pedestrian flow around the building.
• Sustainability: All new construction or substantial renovation shall incorporate sustainability features designed to conserve energy and use environmental resources responsibly.
• Height: Any building containing Multi-Family Dwelling units shall not exceed 85 feet in height.
• No parcel containing dwelling units shall include a free-standing drive-through
  restaurant.

>>>You can read more about the mall plans by clicking here.

See related: New Push Aimed To Save, Revitalize CT Post Mall In Milford

• CT Post Mall Sues Milford Over Rejecting Redevelopment