City Deputy Director of Zoning has shared this language:

In order to assure that the fair interests of the parties will be protected, nothing in this ordinance shall be deemed to prohibit the restoration of any structure and its use where such structure has been destroyed by any means out of the control of the owner to an extent of 50% or less of its replacement value (excluding the value of land, the cost of preparation of land and the value of any foundation adaptable to the conforming use) at the time of destruction, provided the restoration of such structure and its use in no way increases any former nonconformity, and provided further that restoration of such structure is begun within one year of such destruction and diligently prosecuted to completion within two years following such destruction. But whenever such a structure has been destroyed by any means out of the control of the owner to an extent of more than 50% of its replacement value (excluding the value of land, the cost of preparation of land and the value of any foundation adaptable to a conforming use) at the time of destruction, as determined by the Zoning Enforcement Officer (ZEO), or by any means within the control of the owner (except as provided in paragraph 67(c)(4) to any extent whatsoever, the structure shall not be restored except in full conformity with all the regulations of the district in which such structure is located, including regulations as to use.

Destroyed “to an extent of more than 50% of its replacement value”. So is the separate store that was destroyed and the remains torn down, i.e. no. 276 (former barbershop abutting Eddy's) considered the same “structure” as Eddy’s, no. 278?

Please contact City Plan / Zoning staff at 203.946.6920

Sounds like City plan and zoning staff are not on LCI to be notified internally...so no one staffed at City of New Haven can pass along the inquiry that the citizen has pick a phone to call on a matter thats already know to City of New Haven staff!? But its City of New Haven officials who's job is to monitor the city and compliance with ordinances...once citizens get involved in reporting we still need to do the enforcement as private tax paying citizens. How do we get on the payroll??SMH

Good Afternoon,

We made an initial inquiry on this topic and have provided the appropriate departmental contact for additional information.

Thanks @EdgewoodPlace . I kinda was thinking the same thing ha ha, but it's called "bureaucracy" and waaay too much of it.

So I just spoke to William Long, Deputy Director of Zoning, who has worked at that position for 6 month and has NEVER Heard of SeeClickFix!! I taught him (over the phone) the basics of how to navigate the site. I don't fault Mr. Long at all, But holy crap who's in charge of training new employees?? Six months in that position!!

Anyway, once we cleared up the confusion re this website, Mr. Long explained to me that nothing happens until the property owner files a building permit. Then it will be up to Zoning to determine if a variance is needed. I hope that is done more efficiently than simply answering the simple question of a Voting Taxpayer like me!

Well...we all know that not all property owners or contractors pull permits....and with this one IN OUR FACE AND REPORTED HERE ON SCF with the entire CITY OF NEW HAVEN staff that have seen this post... I am sure that Mr. Long know to check to see if there is a permit pulled....I mean a demolition permit must have been approved since demolition was completed some time last week...and as visible to the plain eye THERE NEEDS TO BE REPAIRS to SEAL the EXTERIOR WALL which too requires another permit, or am I wrong?

https://nextdoor.com/p/JRYCfLS8qLkp?utm_source=share&extras=MTM2OTQ4Mw%3D%3D