NEW HAVEN — An empty lot on 1.78 acres that is part of Science Park straddling the city’s Dixwell and Newhallville neighborhoods is slated to become a five-story apartment building with 176 apartments — 58 classified as “affordable” — and 88 parking spaces.
The project along the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail has been bouncing around City Hall for a few years. It can move forward following the unanimous approval of the full Board of Alders, which approved the zoning ordinance text and map amendment after the joint Community Development and Legislation Committee did so in December.
The change in zoning expanded the site to include all of 291 Ashmun St., 309 Ashmun St. and 178-186 Canal St. The site is bounded by Ashmun, Canal and Henry streets. The additional land will allow the developer to build an additional 26 units.
The developer is RJ Development & Advisors LLC, which is controlled by developer Yves-Georges Joseph and Jason Rudnick.
Aldermanic Majority Leader Richard Furlow, D-27, presented the item to the board, with alders Brian Wingate, D-29, and Jeanette Morrison, D-22, speaking in favor of it.
“I stand in support of this item” as “basically the last piece of our puzzle in Ward 22,” said Morrison, the aldermanic president pro tem. She praised it for the affordable housing it will provide — 33 percent of the total units.
“This is a project that we’ve been working on for quite some time,” Morrison said. She said it will “enhance the Dixwell community” as well as the city at large.
Wingate also urged his colleagues to support the measure because of the affordable housing it will provide.
The alders approved the changes in a Jan. 3 meeting.
The alders more than a year ago approved a development and land disposition agreement to sell the property to RJ for $500,000. It also agreed to provide tax incentives, agreeing to limit taxes to $400 on each affordable unit for 20 years, with the rest of the complex being taxed at market rates.
The developer, in turn, agreed to make at least 25 units available to renters who earn no greater than 80 percent of area median income, as well as 15 units at no more than 60 percent of AMI and at least 10 units for Section 8 vouchers.
The developer still must return to the City Plan Commission for site plan approval.
The proposed five-story complex will have 88 ground-level structured parking spaces and a mix of studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments.
Originally posted by The New Haven Register.