🔒Developer seeks OK to convert buildings on former farm in Wallingford to 9 apartments

A developer is seeking approval from the Wallingford Planning and Zoning Commission to convert a former farm property into multifamily housing. The commission opened a public hearing on March 9 about the application, which seeks a special permit for an adaptive re-use of the property to construct nine apartment units at 386 Williams Road. The property currently is zoned RU-40, a rural residential housing zone. The application was filed on behalf of the owner, Mark Malchiodi, who was represented at the public hearing by Bob Wiedenmann of Sunwood Development. The property is the original Malchiodi home and family farm. Wiedenmann said the property currently has three buildings, including a residential building served by a well and septic system that will remain. The second building is a barn that is currently being used for contractor storage and has an apartment that has never been occupied, he said. The third building is a machinery shed that is non-conforming because it is too close to the property line, which Wiedenmann said would be removed. The proposal calls for creating nine apartments, with three in the house and six in the barn, which combined have about 6,400 square feet. The property would be served by two driveways, the application states. All of the apartments would be one-bedroom, except for the first floor of the house, which will be a two-bedroom unit. Wiedenmann added that the footprints of the two buildings that will remain will not change, but that plans include replacing windows, adding siding, installing new doors and updating the landscaping. In addition, a new septic system will be installed for the barn. If the application is successful, the owners may come back for changes in the footprints, Wiedenmann added. Parking will be expanded to 20 spaces, including two handicapped spaces, he said. Although the neighborhood is generally single-family homes, there are a couple of multifamily properties, Wiedenmann said. He added that the proposed development is appropriate because it will improve the overall condition of the property, which will no longer be a construction yard, and it will provide much-needed housing. Commission member James Seichter asked when the ranch house in front of the barn was built, noting that there is no building permit on file and it doesn't comply with the setbacks. Wiedenmann said the part of the building that looks like a house is believed to be part of the barn. He said it was initially used as a tall hay barn with cows in the lower level, while the front portion was reduced to one story. Neighbors to the property who spoke during the public hearing raised questions about privacy and the impact of an additional well and septic system on the area, as well as the additional traffic. Because of questions about whether one of the buildings is an accessory use, as well as an expected septic review by the state and comments to come from the town Fire Marshal, the commission voted to continue the public hearing during its meeting in April.