Stonington ― The Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday night approved a zone change needed to turn a blighted former mill building in Pawcatuck into 58 apartments, some of them affordable units.

After a public hearing, the commission unanimously approved the zone change for the vacant half of the historic William Clark Company, which will allow the developer, Lee Properties of Haverhill, Massachusetts, to redevelop the 5.5-acre property into the The Mill at the Marina.

Previous zoning did not allow residential use, but the zoning change to Industrial Heritage Reuse District allows uses such as apartments, commercial, retail or office space.

One half of the historic mill at 21 Pawcatuck Avenue was converted into The Threadmill Apartments in 2016, but the vacant half has continued to deteriorate and even saw part of its roof collapse last fall.

Representatives for Lee said 20% or about 11 of the units will be affordable housing, which is housing that is affordable to people who earn 80% or less of the area median income.

An individual earning 80% of the area’s median income, $63,000 per year, would pay $1,500 per month in rent.

Prior to construction, Lee Properties must obtain approval of a master plan for the property, but conceptual designs show a pool, bocce court and putting green, two outdoor kitchens with dining areas and a dog park.

The interior would include elevator access to all floors and amenities such as an exercise room, internet café, communal lounge, Zen garden and roof deck.

In its application, Lee Properties said that without the zone change, cleaning up the industrial contamination of the site and reusing the building was not economically feasible. The environmental cleanup which will be aided by a $200,000 state grant.

The project is expected to take at least three to four years to complete. Lee Properties has also discussed a potential second phase for the project, which would include a separate 58-unit building.

Another convenience store for Pawcatuck

The commission also approved an application that calls for the construction of a 3,300-square-foot convenience store and gas station at 56 South Broad Street.

The existing vacant building will be demolished to make way for the new business which will be open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. and would only be accessible to drivers traveling east on South Broad Street.

Residents at a public hearing had expressed traffic, environmental and flooding concerns due to water rushing over the property during heavy rains.

Aldin Associates, the owner of the nearby Chucky’s Food Store at 60 South Broad St., also opposed the project citing concerns about erosion during construction, the number of parking spaces available and impeded sight lines from the property exits.

Chucky’s Food Store, which also sells gas, is about 500 feet away from the proposed gas station and store. There is another convenience store, without gas pumps, on the same side of the street, west of the Chucky’s.

Aldin Associates has also appealed the wetlands commission’s 2021 and 2023 approvals of the project. The 2021 appeal is pending in state Appellate Court, and the 2023 appeal is pending in Superior Court.