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Zoning debate focuses on housing vs. factories CONNECTICUT POST September 21, 2005 BILL CUMMINGS BRIDGEPORT — At first glance, the hulking property off Cherry Street doesn't look like an inviting place to live. The building rises next to railroad tracks, forming a big square covering a block. The faded brick walls show their age, and most of the factory windows are broken — some shot out by target-practicing neighbors. But within the rundown complex there is life, and competing visions for its future — possibly the city's future as well. Some developers say the city's manufacturing heyday is long gone, and now is the time to convert vacant industrial space like that on Cherry Street into trendy residential lofts before the real estate market slides and the opportunity passes. But manufacturers using sections of the complex say housing is not compatible with their noisy, sometimes dangerous, operations. So far, developers are being blocked from converting the building to residential use because it sits in an industrial zone, and the "adaptive reuse" provisions of the city's zoning regulations only apply to commercial zones. In other words, most of the city's vast acreage of vacant or decaying industrial structures are off-limits for conversion into residential use. But the prospect of new tax dollars, and big profits for developers, have fueled interest — and a growing debate — over how to strike a balance between industry and housing. The issue was in full display Wednesday during a meeting of the West End Association at Captain's Cove Seaport. That discussion came a day after a City Council committee approved a resolution urging the Planning and Zoning Commission to amend its regulations so old industrial properties could be rehabilitated into housing. The matter is now before the full council. Ken Felis, owner of Label Systems Inc., which manufacturers identification labels at the Cherry Street site, said he is ready to fight housing plans for that complex. "I'm in favor of conversions, when appropriate. But business and jobs have to be a priority. These projects have to be examined on a case-by-case basis so they don't displace valuable jobs," Felis said. On the other hand, Bhupi Verma, a real-estate broker marketing a portion of the compound, said he has received numerous offers from developers interested in creating housing in a vacant section of the complex along the Railroad Avenue side. Those offers are similar to plans by Fairfield developer Garfield Spencer to build apartments in another vacant section along Cherry Street. Spencer failed to gain approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission when he sought a change in the regulations that would allow his plan to go forward. He subsequently declared he is no longer interested in doing business in Bridgeport. Verma said housing is the answer for hundreds of vacant industrial structures in the city. "It's the only hope we have for a formidable use" of such buildings, he said. Nancy Hadley, the city's economic development director, said the city supports the creation of housing in old industrial buildings, but must proceed on a case-by-case basis. Hadley questioned the viability of mixing housing and manufacturing on Cherry Street. "We are trying to figure this out and find the right mix," she said. Although Hadley agreed the city's inventory of unused factories should be reduced, she said the best way to accomplish that is through a costly update of the master plan. "We just can't do it in pieces. It has be comprehensive," Hadley said of the plan. Bill Cummings, who covers regional issues, can be reached at 330-6230. (c) 2005 The Connecticut Post. All rights reserved. |
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© 2006 First National Development. All Rights Reserved. |  |