This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Politics & Government

Historic District Proposed in Mount Carmel

Ivesville plan will be back before the Planning and Zoning Commission in two weeks.

A small piece of the Mount Carmel section of Hamden would be designated a Historic District, under a proposal presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission Tuesday night. The Ivesville Historic District would encompass several blocks in the area of Ives Street, Whitney Avenue and Broadway.  

Representing the applicant, the Historical Properties Commission, Study Committee Chairman Ken Minkema said this plan covers a smaller area than one that was submitted in 1989. After the first airing of the 2011 version, P and Z members asked for more information and tabled the proposal until the April 26th meeting. Historical Properties Commission members will come back with more detailed information including specific properties that could be included or excluded from the list.

As described by Assistant Town Planner Dan Kops, designation as a Historic District “imposes certain restrictions on the rights of owners, in exchange for the benefits that historic preservation brings to the property owners and the area in general.” Owners would have to get District permission for most renovations or improvements.  

Commission Vice-Chairwoman Ann Altman, who chaired the April 12th meeting, was concerned that the designation could limit economic development and might contradict some of the new zoning rules recently adopted by the town.  

Commission member Ryszard Szypek saw potential benefits, especially in an area like Ivesville which contains buildings from different styles and eras. “Each of the individual properties contributes to the whole... it’s much bigger than just the sum of the parts.”  

According to Minkema, property values generally increase in an area that’s designed as historic. He and Historic Properties Commission member Todd Levine added that the owners of historic properties may qualify for grants or tax credits.

Ivesville History 

Ivesville is named for the family of Elam Ives, the owner of a factory that made harness and carriage hardware. He built the plant, his home and homes for factory workers along the Mill River in the late 18th and 19th century. Ives’ own house (pictured) was built in 1790 and is the oldest structure in the district. It is owned by the Regional Water Authority and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Some of the Ivesville debate centered around what should constitute a “historic” property. Noting that some of the structures in the proposed Historic District were built in the mid- to late 20th century, Commissioner Ralph Marottoli weighed in that “I was born in 1950, and I don’t consider myself historic!”


“Pizza Pizza!” Headed to Hamden

The Commission also approved a site plan for 2 Cousins, LLC, to open a fast food restaurant with a takeout and drive-through at 1245 Dixwell Ave. Co-owners Joe Kordorsky and Sharon Wheeler are hoping to have a Little Caesar’s pizza franchise open for business in July. It would go into the rear of the building, which most recently contained a People’s United Bank branch.  

While the Little Caesar’s proposal was being discussed, Vice-Chairwoman Altman clarified that there was no conflict of interest for one board member: “Mr. (Jonathan) Cesare, you don’t have to recuse yourself, because it’s no relation!”

Find out what's happening in Hamdenwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?