SHELTON -- The city's apartment stock just received a boost.
The Planning and Zoning Commission Wednesday voted 4-1 to approve New Haven-based CT03 LLC's plans to retrofit the existing 96-room Residence Inn by Marriott, 1001 Bridgeport Ave., into 96 units of multifamily housing, with 19 set aside as affordable.
This move is the latest apartment development approval for Bridgeport Avenue. The hotel property sits next to Langanke's Landing, which will have more than 50 units and remains under construction. Nearby Fountain Square also recently received approval for 100 units.
But not all commissioners were on board.
Ruth Parkins says the retrofit is not in Shelton's best interests and wished it would have focused more on senior affordable housing.
"Unfortunately, that is not what this project is intended for," Parkins said. "It is intended for a much higher return for an investment firm that like so many others, is capitalizing on Connecticut's so called 'housing crisis.'"
She added with little to no renovation planned for the interior, she could not imagine an employed workforce individual paying such a rent for such a space for a long period of time, thus lending it to remain a transient property.
"I feel an (affordable housing) 8-30g application may be more beneficial because then we would be getting 30% affordable of which 1/2 would be at 60% AMI (area median income) -- that seems more affordable to me," Parkins said.
"We are being inundated with 'affordable' yet not 'affordable' apartments and our seniors continue to be overlooked," Parkins said.
She said Many seniors look to downsize because they can no longer afford the upkeep of their homes, or they can't easily get around anymore and a smaller space may be appealing to them.
CT03 LLC is under contract to purchase the property once approvals are in place.
The developer received approval to modify an already approved Planned Development District put in place in 1987. The plans also call for a minor increase in the available parking to 120 spaces.
Of the 96 proposed units, 72 are proposed to be studio units and 24 are proposed to be two-bedroom units.
The 19 units proposed as affordable will be set at 80% of the area median income.
Each room already has a full kitchen with granite countertops. The plans also call for maintaining the on-site amenities such as the outdoor pool, barbecue area, fitness center and communal lounge.
As of July 2025, CT03 LLC owns and manages a multifamily portfolio across North America and has successfully converted 510 units. In Connecticut, the firm owns one residential property and is under contract to develop another residential property in the state.
Residence Inn by Marriott was an extended stay hotel for project teams, relocations, temporary housing and vacations, according to its website.