FAIRFIELD – The ambitious retail and office plaza development proposed by Kleban Properties at the corner of Black Rock Turnpike and Stillson Road is headed to a Plan and Zoning Commission hearing soon.
The 57,840-square-foot, two-building consisting of one story at 2131 Black Rock Turnpike and 414 Stillson Road is known as Dolan’s Corner. It is the site of Little Pub restaurant (2133 Black Rock Turnpike), Poster Hardware and Houseware (2155 Black Rock Turnpike), Blossoms at Dailey’s Flower Shop (2151 Black Rock Turnpike) and Stillson Road Dental Care, Avery Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology and Comprehensive Chiropractic Care at 414 Stillson Road.
The proposed plan calls for building a wellness center, rooftop restaurant and several retail and business offices in the footprint of the current buildings. It also was recently amended to build new buildings and create a plaza, which would mean the demolition of the current buildings.
On July 28, the PZC voted 7-0 to send an amended version of the original March request for a special exception filed by Fallon on behalf of Stillrock LLC to demolish the two existing mixed-tenant commercial buildings and replace with two 3-story mixed tenant commercial buildings that would be about 25,000 square feet each. Stillrock also wants to amend the Designed Business District (DCD) zone regulations to permit a 25-foot setback from the property line when a public plaza or pedestrian amenity space is provides in addition to more additional setbacks where corner plazas are provided.
A date for the hearing has yet to be set.
Kleban Properties representatives, attorney John Fallon and Fairfield architect Marc Andre described a development in that March meeting that would include two buildings with retail space facing on Black Rock Turnpike and commercial office space in the rear that would be connected to the adjacent the Black Rock Shopping Center.
“There’s five generations of Klebans that have been involved in development of this town,” Fallon said. “And we’re pleased to have three of them here tonight. (Al Kleban, Ken Kleban, Evan Kleban). The property here is an important gateway location. I would say one of Fairfield’s most active commercial properties.
“Our proposal which we offer for your consideration transforms the site into a pedestrian-oriented destination that enhances the commercial character of the Black Rock Turnpike corridor.”
Ken Kleban, who is president of Kleban Properties, made his pitch to the PZC in March by describing how the project would meet the need for office space in town.
“There will definitely be a rooftop restaurant,” he said. “As for the office space in the rear, we regularly get a lot of requests for smaller office space. We just can’t fill them. Look at the Brick Walk or the Fairfield Center building, there are really only three or four large blocks of office space occupied by financial firm or a consulting firm. The idea would be to have at least one of those (small business office) anchoring the rear building with two or three other tenants to fill in the balance.”
Andre, a Fairfield architect, took the commission through a virtual tour of the proposed site.
“Building No. 1, which is where Little Pub, we add in some modest addition and expansion to engage the corner and move the parking lot to create a more pedestrian-friendly plaza,” Andre said. “This will allow for more pedestrian traffic. So, if you go to the AT&T store (at Black Rock Shopping Center) and you park there. Instead of getting back in your car, this will allow you to walk in the plaza.
“There will be a modest addition to the back of Poster’s building which will give us access to the upper floors and also create a nice courtyard frontage for the new retail that we are proposing.”
