Goffe Street Convenience Store Proposal Faces Neighbor Opposition, Decision Deferred

Hartford & New Haven, CT, July 29, 2026 —

A proposal for a new convenience store on Goffe Street has encountered significant opposition from local residents, prompting the Board of Zoning Appeals to defer a decision. The applicants, Kanya Kanh and Albert Boria, are seeking a special exception to open the store at a location that neighbors argue is unsuitable due to its proximity to a preschool and senior housing facilities.

Concerns raised by residents center on several key issues. Chief among these are the potential for increased traffic congestion in an already busy area, a perceived risk of rising crime rates associated with convenience stores, and a general feeling that the neighborhood already has an ample number of such establishments. The opposition is further fueled by the history of similar proposals at the same site, which have reportedly been rejected in the past.

The Board of Zoning Appeals has acknowledged these resident concerns and has opted to postpone a ruling. The decision has been deferred pending a thorough review by the City Plan Commission. This review will likely assess the proposal against city planning regulations, traffic impact studies, and community development goals.

Details regarding the specific timelines for the City Plan Commission’s review or potential new hearing dates for the Board of Zoning Appeals were not provided. The applicants, Kanya Kanh and Albert Boria, have not yet issued a public statement regarding the deferral.

Story summarized from the original created by Adele Haeg on www.newhavenindependent.org, see more information here.

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