Cops called to calm zoning meeting

BRIDGEPORT, Oct 15, 2009 (Connecticut Post - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- RNDOF | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Ding, ding, ding. Round One!

The latest battle of words between the Ungag the People Committee and the Bridgeport Tax Paying Citizens Group got so rowdy Wednesday that several police officers had to be dispatched to City Hall to calm the crowd of over 120 people.

Zoning took a backseat to name-calling at the two-hour Planning and Zoning Commission public hearing on 11 proposed zone changes, as the two groups interrupted each other with chuckles, shouts and boos.

The groups have opposing views on whether several properties -- most notably those on upper Main Street and a 9.9.-acre property off Greenwood Street -- should be changed from their current residential designation to a commercial zone classification.

"Some want to protect their own neighborhood in the North End at the expense of all other neighborhoods in Bridgeport," said Darlene Chapdelaine, leader of the taxpaying citizens group, which favors the change to commercial. "Basically what they want is to ungag their people and gag everyone else."

Her group carried signs that read "Caruso brainwashes followers" and "Any Caruso supporters captive that want to defect and seek political asylum call Darlene."

While speaking about the Greenwood Street property, owned by Chapdelaine, state Rep. Christopher Caruso not-so-subtly mentioned her connection to Gus Curcio, who has been linked in federal documents to organized crime. "The alleged owner of this property,

who is affiliated with a reputed organized crime figure, is attempting to change the zone...," was all Caruso could say before shouts of anger erupted from Chapdelaine's group, preventing him from finishing the sentence.

Even Associate City Attorney Greg Conte shook his head in disgust, prompting Caruso to shout out: "If the city attorney is going to shake his head he should come down publicly and make his ruling." Conte then walked over to PZC Chair Mel Riley and said: "He [Caruso] should be ruled out of order. The issue is the map, not who is who."

After a few minutes of unsuccessfully trying to control the rowdy crowd Riley called for a recess and two police officers arrived to keep the group under control.

Even before the meeting began, the division between the two groups was evident. The Ungag the People's nearly 40 members sat on the right side of the council chambers, while the more than 80 members of the opposing group filled the left side, the aisles and even the balcony.

Most of the 22 people who addressed the PZC discussed the issue of residential versus commercial. The remaining zone changes received little, if any, public interest.

Eugene Allen, a Wentworth Street resident, told the PZC that increasing the tax base does not mean destroying residential neighborhoods. "All of the taxpayers here, the ones really from Bridgeport, support development," he said. "But are you going to let the tax base grow at the expense of the neighborhoods?"

Charles Coviello, a real estate agent and former mayoral candidate, countered that the PZC should not allow "anti-development forces" to sway their votes. "This meeting is really all about development and taxes, not about name calling and threats," he said.

In the zone These 11 changes to the city's proposed zoning map were the focus of the Planning and Zoning Commission's public hearing Wednesday. n A 9-acre tract off Greenwood and Hart streets -- from a low-density to a high-density residential zone. n The former Father Panik Village -- from light-industrial to a high-density residential zone. n Testo's Restaurant, 1775 Madison Ave. -- from low-density residential to an office-retail zone. n Area bordered by Capitol Avenue, Lindley Street and North Avenue -- from light-industrial to a mixed-use light-industrial zone. n 4160 Main St. -- from low-density residential to an office-retail zone. n 420 Anton Dr. -- from low-density residential to a mixed-use/educational/medical zone. n 1 Seaview Ave. -- from high-industrial to a mixed-use light industrial zone. n 22-40 Seaview Ave. -- from high-industrial to a mixed-use light industrial zone. n 2540 Park Ave. -- from low-density residential to a high-density residential zone. n Intersection of Old Town Road and Main Street -- from low-density residential to office/retail. n Section of Main Street from Fairview Avenue to Stoehrs Place -- from low-density residential to office/retail.

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