MERIDEN — A local developer is seeking city permission to build a 24-unit apartment building at the site of a former garage and warehouse in South Meriden.

LaRosa Family Associates, doing business as Rincon Holdings LLC, has asked the Zoning Board of Appeals for a special exception for property at 33 Main St. The 3.41-acre property is currently within the neighborhood commercial development zone.  

“As part of this proposal, the existing buildings will be razed from the property,” city planning staff stated in the narrative to the ZBA. “Applicant has received Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission approval. This is the second of four approvals needed by applicant to proceed with this development.”

LaRosa is proposing to remove the existing garage and construct three residential buildings. The first two buildings have nine units with 5,398 square feet each, and the unit in the rear will have six units with 3,598 square feet in total along with 48 parking spaces.

The property has been owned by Rincon Holdings since 2005, according to city records. It was purchased for $395,000. LaRosa representatives are listed as principal and agent for Rincon, according to state records. 

Maps show the property has frontage along the Quinnipiac River near Hanover Pond. 

Since the parcel is in the neighborhood commercial development zone, such a plan is permitted by special exception only, according to city staff. However, this zone does not give the ZBA authority over the site plan, which lies with the Planning Commission. The commission will consider the developer’s application for a certificate of approval, and a separate application for a Certificate of Appropriateness.  

The ZBA will discuss the special exception request at a future date, according to meeting minutes. 

mgodin@record-journal.com203-317-2255Twitter: @Cconnbiz