Despite Opposition, Million-Dollar-Plus Development is OK'd by Planning Panel as City Requirements Met
By Jeff Toquinto on April 15, 2026
A new million-dollar-plus residential development in Bridgeport received final plat approval Monday from the Bridgeport Planning Commission that will set the stage for six new single-family homes to be built.
The decision did not come without lengthy debate and discussion. It also required a rare executive session where members met with City Attorney John C. Ashcom before going back into regular session.
In the end, the Commission approved the matter – with Planning Commission member Dr. Harry M. “Hank” Murray voting against – for 
property at 232 West Olive Street. The property, if all goes as planned, will see the construction of six 1,335 square-foot homes with estimated prices between $315,000 and $335,000.
property at 232 West Olive Street. The property, if all goes as planned, will see the construction of six 1,335 square-foot homes with estimated prices between $315,000 and $335,000.
Multiple members of the community were in attendance, including two that spoke during the public hearing. No one in attendance from the community was in favor of the development.
However, except for Murray, those members in attendance (Robert “Bob” Greer and Marrissa Ashburn were not at the meeting) that spoke to the audience explained that there was not much that could be done. The consensus was that the development met all the required city guidelines.
“If I don’t have a legal justification, and I don’t, I can’t deny this … We don’t have a lot of wiggle room,” Commissioner Jamie Parker said.
Parker was not the only one speaking to the matter of having to approve issues if the developer meets all the requirements. And in this case the developer, NOVA Builders Group, LLC, which is managed by Bridgeport’s Claude Ryan, met those requirements.
Initially, when the proposal was first brought to the Planning Commission in December for preliminary approval, it was okayed to proceed for final approval with a caveat. The caveat was that the Bridgeport Board of Zoning Appeals would have to approve variances need as the
planned development did not meet some of the requirements for new development – a key one being minimum lot size of 6,000 square feet. The BZA shot down the request.
planned development did not meet some of the requirements for new development – a key one being minimum lot size of 6,000 square feet. The BZA shot down the request.
However, NOVA was able to meet the 6,000 square foot requirement by agreeing to purchase a strip of land to add to the property. The additional property allowed for the configuration of the six lots to meet the square footage requirement, as well as the others, that initially needed a variance. Once that was done, the matter – from a legal standpoint – was sealed.
“We have no other legal reason not to approve,” said Commission President and long-time member Rodney Kidd.
The Commissioners said they understood the concerns of those present, as well as those who spoke during the public hearing, and a letter that was submitted in opposition. A pair spoke against it during the hearing, including Robert Jackson (representing property at 240 West Oliver and 1st National Trust representative Mary Hagan, and long-time West Olive resident Michael Shahan, who also addressed 
the body from the audience.
the body from the audience.
“This is detrimental to the existing community,” said Shahan, who broke down the square footage of all other lots on Olive Street and surrounding roadways as being substantially larger than the proposed development.
Shahan also presented a petition that he said had 113 residents opposing the development. The Commission accepted the petition into their records. Along with that, Murray spoke about his opposition.
“I’m not convinced that this is best for the city,” said Murray.
Murray and member Doug Gray said at the March Planning Commission meeting that the body typically turns down requests if many residents oppose it, which Shahan brought up from the audience. During the same Monday, April 13 meeting, Parker said he believed the members were thinking about past cases involving “rezoning requests.” The Commission has exclusively denied, or close to it, rezoning requests when community members speak out against them in large numbers.
Editor's Note: Top photo shows Planning Commissioner Jamie Parker, while the second photo shows resident Michael Shahan addressing the planning panel. Bottom photo is of Planning Commissioner Dr. Harry M. "Hank" Murray.
