June 11, 2014

CT Construction Digest June 11, 2014

Developer confident about Monroe retail project, despite lawsuit

The designer of a mega-size retail project planned for Monroe is confident that it will be built, despite litigation brought by the town of Trumbull, which has voiced concerns about flooding of the nearby Pequonnock River. Trumbull brought the court action in February against the town of Monroe and its Planning and Zoning Commission, as well as developer Kimball Land Holdings, and Tim Herbst, its first selectman, said Monday that Trumbull is adamant that the project not detrimentally affect the community. "Our concern is the impact of storm runoff. Our town has a significant flooding issue. It (the Pequonnock River) is a large body of water that goes directly through town. Our intent is to exhaust all administrative remedies," said Herbst, who has practiced land-use during his career as lawyer. "There are Monroe residents who are challenging this in the form of a zoning appeal."
But Kevin Solli, principal in Solli Engineering, the Monroe civil engineering and land development consulting firm that designed the project, said Friday that he is confident in his drainage plans and the conflict will be resolved, allowing construction of the 161,000-square-foot building on Victoria Drive off Main Street. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE

Ansonia will rebuild public housing

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced Tuesday that it has reached agreements with the city of Ansonia and the Ansonia Housing Authority, settling allegations that the city and the housing authority discriminated against African Americans, Hispanics, and families with children when they demolished and later refused to rebuild subsidized, low-income public housing units."These agreements will help ensure that former public housing residents in Ansonia and the surrounding area, including minority households and families with children, have access to much needed affordable housing," said Dave Ziaya, HUD's Acting Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, in a prepared statement. "HUD will continue to work with housing authorities and local governments to create greater housing opportunities for low-income individuals and families." In June 2012, the housing authority received an approval letter from HUD to demolish the complex. HUD approved the demolition on condition that the housing authority would rebuild 48 units and that residents would have the right to return following redevelopment. HUD says the housing authority refused to rebuild the units. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE

Wallingford company to address issues with its expansion

WALLINGFORD — The development of two parcels on North Plains Highway for a new division of United Concrete Products is the subject of several alleged environmental violations issued by local and federal regulators earlier this year. In January, the Planning and Zoning Commission approved plans for the creation of a new subsidiary of United Concrete Products called the Pile Division, located at 59 and 65 North Plains Highway. “Piles” are long concrete pieces that are used in projects such as bridge construction. Both North Plains properties are owned by United Concrete Products, based at 173 Church St.Jonathan Gavin, the company’s president, did not return a request for comment Monday or Tuesday.  CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE