A longtime staple on Bridgeport Avenue in Shelton for more than 60 years – Langanke’s Florist & Greenhouses – may become home to 60 apartments.
The land owner and developer, Langanke’s Landing LLC, is now pursuing building a four-story apartment building on the 1.7-acre site.
It is a shift from prior plans for the property.
Langanke’s Landing LLC, in 2020 secured approval from Shelton’s Planning and Zoning Commission for a Planned Development District, or PDD.
At the time, the approved proposal called for construction of a 4,400-square foot convenience store with an accompanying 10-pump gas station, along with two 3,100-square foot commercial buildings for retail or office space at 1055 Bridgeport Ave.
However, two years and a pandemic later, the owners have changed the previous plans to a residential development, something they believe is more suited to the property, according to the attorney representing them.
“Working with possible users, there was some issue with traffic count and the extra buildings (under the previously approved plan),” Attorney Dominick Thomas said.
According to Thomas, apartments would generate less traffic.
Thomas said the four-story apartment building would include 60 apartments, including 35 one-bedroom, eight two-bedroom and 17 studios, and 101 onsite parking spaces. The property would be accessible via both Bridgeport Avenue and Huntington Street.
The original plan had called for at least part of the family-owned florist business to remain in one of the newly constructed buildings. However, Thomas said under the revised plans, the florist is not included.
In a letter to the PZC back in 2020, the family had said they’d been discussing selling the property, due to the changing industry, and had been approached by various developers over the years. The family had expressed interest in keeping a retail component of the florist in one of the buildings that was proposed under the previous plan.
However, the apartment building is the only structure in the amended proposal.
The family said the florist business will remain in Shelton. A location has yet to be disclosed.
Thomas said the amended proposal requires approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission, as well as a public hearing to discuss the modifications to the original plan. While a public hearing has yet to be scheduled, Thomas said he expects it will likely occur toward the end of September.
Bridgeport Avenue is home to numerous apartment complexes, including Avalon Bay, The Mark and Vista Apartments, as well as grocery stores, retail chains, restaurants, medical offices, car dealerships, hotels and more.
