TMG Architects LLC
A rendering of the new Delaney’s-apartment complex planned for Central and Whalley.
The burned-down Delaney’s Restaurant & Tap Room is making a comeback to Westville Village along with new apartments on top, if a newly submitted zoning application gets approved.
The zoning application has been submitted by the new owner of a now vacant lot at 882 Whalley Ave., where flames consumed the popular restaurant nearly four years ago.
The lot has been vacant since that fire. Last year the former owner Ron Groves sold the lot for $400,000 to a company formed by Lior Israel, the owner of a local excavating and construction business. Now Israel is asking the city for a special exception for side yard requirements, onsite parking and to permit a restaurant and liquor.
Plans submitted to the Board of Zoning Appeals note that “Delaney’s Restaurant & Tap Room will be moving into the tenant space on the first floor with occupancy load and space previously occupied, hours of operations and staff will be the same.” In addition to the first-floor restaurant, Israel’s plans call for two additional stories of apartments above. The apartment will be a mix of seven one-bedroom units and four two bedroom units on each floor for a total of 22 units.
There will be 10 onsite parking spaces which will be tucked under a portion of the building and there will be 22 shared spaces for a total of 32. But the developer wants to rely on nearby street parking, a public parking lot and public transportation to absorb additional parking needs that will be generated by the restaurant.
A version with landscaping.
Project Architect Leon Mularski Jr. of TMG Architects LLC. said that the plan is about 28 space short of what it needs to meet the zoning code’s requirements. Though there had been some early suggestion that the building would have additional retail or restaurant space on the first floor, Mularski said Delaney’s will be the only first-floor tenant. Design for much of the building is fairly complete, Mularski said, though there is still some design and layout tweaks that are being made for the new Delaney’s.
Lizzy Donius, who runs the Westville Village Renaissance Associaton (WVRA), said there are high hopes for the development.
“This new development will be an anchor, bringing significant housing and commercial space while maintaining the character of the Village,” she said. “We anticipate this will add significant momentum to the exciting development news we have had in recent months including the opening of a terrific new restaurant, RAWA, the purchase of the old subway building and the creation of the New Haven Cat Cafe.
Another view of the former Delaney’s site from the intersection of Central Avenue and Fountain Street.
“And there is more development on the horizon, with a restaurant coming to the [former Niagra] Bank building, Manjares expanding into the evening and potential developers visiting and looking in the Village all the time,” she added. “We are delighted.”
WVRA is hosting a community meeting at Lyric Hall on Feb. 7 so that Israel can present his plans to Westville neighbors before they head to the Board of Zoning Appeals on Feb. 13.
Architect Mularski said that if things go well at BZA construction could start late spring early summer. He estimates between six and nine months for construction but it all depends, he said “what we find when we get in the ground. That’s what’s tough.”