Demolition continues in South Meriden to make way for housing – Meriden Record-Journal

During some of the public hearings on the project, neighbors expressed concerns about traffic backups at Hanover and Main streets.

“Even with a traffic study, it doesn’t change people’s perceptions over how long they’re waiting,” Cardillo said at the time. “I had some questions about the density of residential property that can be built in those zones. The language can be vague. I didn’t feel comfortable. And people are concerned about building near the river.”

Cardillo and others were pleased LaRosa eliminated three bedroom units and is only building two-building apartments.

“Every time we look at housing all of us think about the impact to city services,” Cardillo said.

Per the FEMA mapping, a large area of the site is in the 100 year floodplain. Engineering asked for more information regarding the floodplain limits and it was determined the buildings will be out of the 100 year floodplain, according to staff reports.

City Councilor Bob WilIiams, who represents South Meriden, is familiar with the proposal and his only issue is overflow parking impeding local businesses, whose customers park on Main Street.

“Other than that, I don’t have any concerns,” Williams said. “The Larosa family have been great stewards in their city projects.

Everything they’ve done is to a high standard.”

City Councilor Bob Williams, who represents South Meriden, previously told the Record-Journal the development is the first new residential building in that area of South Meriden since work was completed on Diamond Hill Road.

“I don’t believe there has been any housing inventory built,” Williams said. “This is the first I recall over several decades.”

newsroom@record-journal.com

MERIDEN — Construction to build 24 riverside apartment units in three buildings is underway on Main Street in South Meriden.
Local developer LaRosa Construction is behind the project.
Doing business as Rincon Holdings LLC, the company won Planning Commission approval for the project by a 4-1 vote back in January.
The apartments will occupy 14,390 square feet along with associated utilities, parking and stormwater management infrastructure on 3.41 acres adjacent to the Quinnipiac River.
The units would be two-bedroom market rate apartments, said Planning Commission member Elain Cariati just prior to project approval in January.
LaRosa had prior approvals from the Zoning Board of Appeals to change the use in the Neighborhood Commercial Development District and on the number of units. The city’s Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission had approved the stormwater detention plan and other flood controls, and the Design Review Board OK’d the project with some architectural and landscaping changes.
“When it came to Planning (Commission) our only job was to approve the site plan,” Cariati said.
An existing commercial building at 33 Main St. was demolished for the project.

Planning Commission member Chad Cardillo voted against the project after raising objections over the density allowed in the Neighborhood Commercial Development District Zone.
During some of the public hearings on the project, neighbors expressed concerns about traffic backups at Hanover and Main streets.
“Even with a traffic study, it doesn’t change people’s perceptions over how long they’re waiting,” Cardillo said at the time. “I had some questions about the density of residential property that can be built in those zones. The language can be vague. I didn’t feel comfortable. And people are concerned about building near the river.”
Cardillo and others were pleased LaRosa eliminated three bedroom units and is only building two-building apartments.
“Every time we look at housing all of us think about the impact to city services,” Cardillo said.
Per the FEMA mapping, a large area of the site is in the 100 year floodplain. Engineering asked for more information regarding the floodplain limits and it was determined the buildings will be out of the 100 year floodplain, according to staff reports.
City Councilor Bob WilIiams, who represents South Meriden, is familiar with the proposal and his only issue is overflow parking impeding local businesses, whose customers park on Main Street.
“Other than that, I don’t have any concerns,” Williams said. “The Larosa family have been great stewards in their city projects.
Everything they’ve done is to a high standard.”
City Councilor Bob Williams, who represents South Meriden, previously told the Record-Journal the development is the first new residential building in that area of South Meriden since work was completed on Diamond Hill Road.
“I don’t believe there has been any housing inventory built,” Williams said. “This is the first I recall over several decades.”
newsroom@record-journal.com