Commission hears plan for building

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Attorney Michael McVerry, right, addresses the Zoning Commission on July 16 in regards to a proposed commercial development on Prospect Street. –LUKE MARSHALL
Attorney Michael McVerry, right, addresses the Zoning Commission on July 16 in regards to a proposed commercial development on Prospect Street. –LUKE MARSHALL

NAUGATUCK — Plans for a new commercial development on Prospect Street came before the Zoning Commission for a public hearing July 16.

The owners of Vinny’s Restaurant and Pizza plan to tear down a multifamily home at 42 Prospect St. and the restaurant at 46 Prospect St. In their place, a 4,500 square-foot building including a convenient store, a gas station and a Dunkin’ Donuts will be built.

The parcel is 0.81 acres which includes 48 Prospect St., a parking lot, and 0 Golden Hill Road, a 35-foot strip of land that will be used for a turn-around area in the new parking lot.

The buildings and lots are all owned by brothers Remzi and Vesel Nasufi, who also operate Vinny’s Pizza. Remzi Nasufi previously said the restaurant will remain in Naugatuck, next door to the new proposed development.

According to the plans, which were presented by attorney Michael McVerry and Steve Pustola of Pustola & Associates Engineers, the Dunkin’ Donuts would have a drive-thru. If it is constructed this would be the sixth Dunkin’ Donuts in the borough.

McVerry said the project has received a variance for parking spaces at the site. The required spaces for the lot are 30. However, a variance has been granted for 15 spaces, with the understanding that another 10 spots will be created by people parking at the pumps, according to McVerry.

The only people to speak out against the project at the hearing did so via a letter sent to the commission.

“This is an absolutely terrible idea. There is already enormously too much traffic in this area of Prospect Street,” Alice Reville Tomlin and Bill Cuccinello wrote in a combined letter.

The building that houses Vinny's Restaurant and Pizzeria on Prospect Street in Naugatuck could be torn down to make way for a gas station, convenience store and a Dunkin' Donuts. Plans are pending with Naugatuck land use boards. –RA ARCHIVE
The building that houses Vinny’s Restaurant and Pizzeria on Prospect Street in Naugatuck could be torn down to make way for a gas station, convenience store and a Dunkin’ Donuts. Plans are pending with Naugatuck land use boards. –RA ARCHIVE

Tomlin and Cuccinello went on to say they have lived on Prospect Street for nearly 20 years and felt it would be a traffic hazard to move forward with the construction of a gas station, convenient store and Dunkin’ Donuts at this location.

“We just don’t need that here. Especially with all the big trucks zooming down the street day and night from the industrial park up the street. It doesn’t make sense,” Tomlin and Cuccinello wrote.

The proposed project currently has approvals from the Police Commission, the Fire Commission and the Water Pollution Control Authority. In addition to the Zoning Commission it also needs approval from the Planning Commission and the Inland Wetlands Commission.

According to McVerry the Inland Wetlands Commission has scheduled a public hearing on the project at its August meeting. The meeting and public hearing is currently scheduled for Aug. 6.

The Zoning Commission also planned on doing a site walk on the property on Aug. 7.
McVerry said he hopes to have a positive recommendation from both the Planning Commission and Inland Wetlands Commission before the next Zoning Commission meeting.

The Zoning Commission continued the public hearing until its Aug. 20 meeting. The commission is expected to make a decision during its regular meeting.