Salute! City Seeks Downtown Zoning Amendment To Liquor Control Regulation

The Office of Planning & Economic Development is proposing a text amendment to liquor control regulations Downtown apparently to fix a loophole in the regulations requiring new bars and restaurants to seek a zoning variance for liquor licenses within “1500 feet in any direction from the entrance to any other building or premises which shall be used for the sale of alcoholic liquor whether it is of the same or of a different class or permit.” The Zoning Board of Appeals granted a variance to the owner of the Barnum Publick House to add a bistro a few doors down on Broad Street. The restaurant was caught in the crossfire of a lawsuit, then withdrawn, by business associates of Gus Curcio who’s been in a running battle with the city over adult entertainment establishments.

The lawsuit filed by Cummings Enterprises Inc. claimed it was an “aggrieved taxpayer” even though its business interests are miles away. Brian Lockhart of the Connecticut Post first broke news of Curcio’s legal maneuverings. See background here. The P&Z is scheduled to meet August 26 to take up the city’s proposed amendment.

City’s Proposed Amendment. The bracketed bold in the text represents the city’s the proposed language

Section 12-10 b and c

Liquor Control Regulation

Purpose Statement: In The City of Bridgeport Master Plan of Conservation and Development P.98, the following Vision statement is found: “One of the central themes of the Master Plan is the “Downtown: The Catalyst for improving the City’s image.” The vision recognizes that enhancing Downtown’s image by making a home and a destination will have a positive impact on the city as a whole. As people from outside Bridgeport come to Downtown for entertainment and recreation and experience what a vibrant and safe place it has become while enjoying restaurants, nightlife and culture, Bridgeport’s image in the region will change: Downtown Bridgeport will become tithe ‘place to be” in Fairfield County, serving as a catalyst for revitalization throughout the city and key asset to the region.” The purpose of this proposal is to move downtown Bridgeport closer to the vision.

Section 12-10 Liquor Control Regulation

b: Separation of Liquor Permits; No building or premises with a liquor permit issued by the State Liquor Control Commission, other than full service restaurants [and cafes located within the DVD-TOD, DVD-CORE, DVD-BlVO, DVD -Civic, and DVD-WF Zones,] shall be used either in whole or in part for the sale of alcoholic liquor if any entrance to such building or premises within the territorial limits of the City of Bridgeport shall be within 1500 feet in any direction from the entrance to any other building or premises which shall be used for the sale of alcoholic liquor whether it is of the same or of a different class or permit

c. Change in Liquor Permit Type: Any requested change in the kind of liquor permit for a use that is subject to the 1500-foot rule, as provided above in the Separation of Liquor Permits, shall be subject to review by the Zoning Board of Appeals} with the exception of a proposed change to a full service restaurants and [and cafes located within the DVD-TOD, DVO-CORE, DVD-BLVO, OVD -Civic, and DVO- WF Zones,] as defined by the State Liquor Control Commission

August 26 Planning & Zoning Commission agenda

CITY BUSINESS

(13-55) Text Amendment–Petition of the City of Bridgeport Office of Planning & Economic Development (OPED)–Seeking to amend Sec. 12-10b & c of the Bridgeport Zoning Regulations in the DVD-TOD, DVD-CORE, DVD-BLVD, DVD-CIVIC & DVD-WF zones.

(13-51) 8-24 Referral–Petition of the City of Bridgeport Office of Planning & Economic Development (OPED)–Requesting under Sec. 8-24 of the State of CT a favorable recommendation for the Black Rock School Municipal Development Plan utilizing properties on both sides of School St. in an R-CZONE.

(13-56) 8-24 Referral–Petition of the City of Bridgeport Office of Planning & Economic Development (OPED) – Requesting under Sec. 8-24 of the Sate of CT a favorable recommendation for the sale of city owned parcels at 133-135 Wayne St. in an R-C zone.

CONTINUED BUSINESS

C-2 (13-18) 94 Boston Ave. – Petition of Wakefern Food Corporation (Pricerite) – Seeking a coastal site plan review of the proposed loading dock addition to the existing grocery store in an OR – G zone and coastal area.

C-4 (13-36) 350 Dekalb Ave. – Petition of Michael Cortina – Seeking a site plan review and a coastal site plan review to permit the construction of a 1- story 40’ x 50’ warehouse building in an I-L zone and coastal area.

DEFERRED BUSINESS

D -1 (13-42) 799 Sylvan Ave. – Petition of Joseph Toto/Parkview Commons, LLC–Seeking a change of zone from an R-A to an R-C zone, and also seeking a special permit and a site plan review to permit the construction of a 3- unit townhouse style building.

D-2 (13-43) 800, 810 Sylvan Ave. & 123 Parkview Ave. – Petition of Parkview Commons, LLC/Joseph Toto – Seeking a change of zone from an R-A to an R-C zone, and also seeking a special permit and site plan review to permit the construction of a 9-unit townhouse style building.

D-3 (13-46) 35, 45, 55, 36, 48 Down St.– Petition of Antonio Teixeira & Guy DeMaio – Seeking a re-subdivision and re-configuration of 6 parcels of property and a site plan review for development in an R-A zone.

NEW BUSINESS

(13-41) 113 East Washington Ave.– Petition of A&F Properties–Seeking a site plan and coastal site plan review to permit the construction of a 1-story 2,600 sq. ft. storage building/warehouse in an I-Lzone.