Trumbull P&Z approves mall zoning changes to spur mixed-use revival

TRUMBULL — The  Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved revising the town‘s Mixed-Use Design District regulations at Trumbull Mall to fit the town’s proposed vision for the property’s future.

The regulation changes include allowing the addition of up to approximately 200 units of housing for those 55 or older, with a 10% affordable component; streamlining some of the uses to be allowed as of right but still requiring approval from the commission; allowing the subdivision of property into 2 acres or more; and modified parking requirements to allow more flexibility with respect to parallel parking.

“The text amendments to the Trumbull Mall property are essential to the future of that area,” said Economic and Community Development Director Rina Bakalar. “In these ways, we are setting the stage to move the property in a more transformational direction aligned with the study that was issued.”

Residents and town officials supported the revision, saying the mall is too valuable to lose.

“The mall’s value to our town is immense, and we need to find ways to protect it to ensure our town’s sustainability and lower taxes for residents,” said Nate Gross, a Democratic candidate for town constable. “I also think that our town doesn’t really have a whole lot of areas of interest as it is.”

The Trumbull Mall Area Land-Use and Market Feasibility Study, which was completed in March, lays out the town’s plan to create a walkable, social destination for shoppers and residents between Main Street and Madison Avenue, from the Merritt Parkway and the Bridgeport-Trumbull line.

The vision introduces a mixed-use shopping area with a variety of amenities, including a limited-service hotel, office space, age-restricted housing, outdoor dining and more.

“The only comment I have is that this is vitally needed,” said commission member Tony Silber. “This is urgently needed for the site.” 

The regulation changes follow the announcement that Namdar Realty Group, the mall’s owner, defaulted on the $152.3 million loan earlier this year. Namdar took the loan during the acquisition in late 2022.

Centennial, the owner of the Connecticut Post Mall in Milford, took over the day-to-day management and leasing for the Trumbull Mall.

First Selectman Vicki Tesoro said the mall is one of the town’s top taxpayers, and the regulation changes will help the mall retain its current value while helping to foster growth in that area.

“To attract the right kind of investment, our zoning must be aligned with the transformational vision for the Trumbull Mall area,” she said. “This is a unique opportunity to create a vibrant destination where people can live, work, and play — a true mixed-use hub that enhances the quality of life for our residents and drives economic vitality.”

Tesoro said the vision could help the mall generate $10 million more in tax revenue annually, becoming “a substantial contribution to our community’s fiscal health.”

Commission member Brandon Cousins said he had an issue with the age-restricted housing component of the plan.

“If we really want a vibrant future-oriented community, we should be targeting this housing or at least opening it up to the next generation. I’m certainly not going to vote for a discriminatory housing policy,” Cousins said.

Bakalar cited the federal Housing for Older Persons Act of 1995, which allows communities to have housing designated for individuals ages 55 and older, according to Congress.gov.

“It’s not discriminatory under federal law,” she said.

Chair Fred Garrity said housing just for seniors is precisely what seniors want.

“When there’s a need for senior housing, the seniors want to live and come home and relax,” Garrity said. “They don’t want to hear loud music and kids running around. They want to be able to leave their grandkids and go home.”

Bakalar said the priority now is marketing the plan, put together by consulting firm Stantec, to investors and garnering interest.

“So what we’re doing now is going to the marketplace, attracting people who may be interested in purchasing the property in the future, if it were to come for sale, and tenants that might be interested in coming there based on certain criteria,” Bakalar said.

Greg Dunn, a longtime Trumbull resident, also supports the plan and said he was a mall cop on the weekend for 17 years.

“I have seen some deterioration firsthand, and that’s why we really need this master plan,” he said. “We need a vision, and for that reason, I’m very much in favor of it.”