Montville ―The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a proposed 16-unit apartment complex on Route 32 at its Feb. 28 meeting.

The project had previously been tabled at the commission’s December meeting to allow Montville-based developer Lombardi Gravel LLC to address comments on the plan from the town engineer.

The plan calls to convert two old commercial buildings at 303, 307 and 309 Norwich-New London Turnpike ―directly across the street from Town Hall ― into apartments. The one-story building at 303 Norwich-New London Turnpike is a 7,994 square feet while the two-story building, which shares a single footprint, at 307 and 309 Norwich-New London Turnpike is 4,948 square feet.

Town Engineer Thomas Cummings said in a letter dated Feb. 27 that all his previous comments had been addressed in Lombardi’s Feb.22 revised plans. Cummings raised concerns such as adding an island in the parking lot for signage, making sure roof drains are piped into the overall drainage system and minor grading issues.

James Wray of Lombardi Gravel said the units are not deemed to be affordable and he does not know yet how much they will cost.

The currently vacant buildings on the one-acre lot have previously been used as warehouses, shops and offices in the Route 32 Overlay Zone, which allows commercial and residential use.

Director of Land Use and Development Liz Burdick previously said that the property has been untouched for at least the last decade. She said the residential development in the approved overlay zone may help local businesses and noted that there was a need for rental housing in town.

Wray said he liked the location of the vacant buildings and thought by converting them to apartments, it would “clean up” an “eyesore” in town.

The preliminary building plans showed two, two-bedroom units between 886 and 934 square feet and 14 single-bedroom units ranging in size from 629 to 746 square feet.

Plans call for the roofs and vinyl siding to be redone. Each doorway will have a new canopy above and new windows. There are 32 parking spaces detailed in the plans as well as signage and landscaping.

k.arnold@theday.com