and, another way for the to *take over* the Bishop street side where thier customers park eligally EVERYDAY (with out a zone street sticker).....AND, where are the so call *meter maids* that are SUPPOSED to be paroling the zone streets and giving out tickets to those cars that park on them without zone street stickers.....NICAS has grown to big for thier briches and seem to care less about the neighborhood, except thier little piece of heaven, call NICAs. Bless them,.

thar would be a nightmare for those of us in this vicinity. there would be nowhere to maneuver to park - and it's difficult enough right now. I'm sure they like the idea of the huge delivery trucks being further from their outdoor cafe. but I can speak for many of their neighbors when I say that we don't want them any closer to us than they are now.

First of all they are putting in a bigger driveway and a new garage for the property that they own on the corner. It is not going to connect to the other parking lot.

second of all what about all the other idiots that have businesses on the street that the truck park in the middle of the road and deliver stuff. I have all the @#$% that go to Cafe Romeos park in front of my driveway. do you see me sitting here @#$% and moaning or do I just have them towed.

I really think you need to do some research before you make a comment on this website. they do have all the proper permits so you can go down to the Town Hall building department and look.

It seems to me that there is a general agreement that East Rock business may be disrupting residents' rights--albeit without ill intent. I've read numerous complaints about parking, sidewalk, and careless driving issues in this site. That said, maybe the City should be more diligent in supervising the area and taking note of residents' concerns. It is surprising that Nica's would have a permit for a new driveway that neighbors were not consulted about--my experience is that the City issues letters before issuing permits for such kind of new construction. If those concerned are renters, it may be worth checking with your home's/apartment's owner; if owners, make sure to submit an actual letter--and not an email--to the Building Department and its board (if it has one)--and in either case, contact your alderperson.
Here is the Building Department contact (which I believe could answer questions about the driveway, though not parking issues)
Daniel O'Neill, Acting Building Official
email doneill@newhavenct.net
200 Orange Street
New Haven, CT 06510
Tel. (203) 946-8048
Fax (203) 946-8049

I hope it helps!

Nicas has nothing to do with the garage and the driveway to bishop except for up keeping the property they own on the corner. You should be glad we have a market that supports the neighborhood and provides us with wonderful stuff. The only thing I see is nasty chickens and bad attitudes against something wonderful. I'm glad it's Nicas and not someone just looking for money, otherwise we could look forward to a great depreciation of our property and neighborhood. Enough said

At present Nica's bring in more than a dozen diesel-powered delivery trucks every week and I have had to speak to the truckers on many occasions to ask them to switch off their idling (highly polluting) engines. But to no avail. The filthy polluted air generated from the present parking lot at Nica's blows straight into my back yard which we used to enjoy as a peaceful, clean space filled with wild birdsong (which I no longer hear when Nica's delivery trucks are rumbling in) .

It seems to me that the thread is less of an attack on Nica's or any particular business (or person), and more of a request from nearby residents that there is an agreement on how to curb/address some problems. My sense is that it proposes a conversation so that this can be a win/win situation--am I mistaken? Again, contact your alderperson for some sort of mediation, I am sure that the outcome will be constructive!

I wish this were true. Unfortunately Nica's management takes no notice of local voices which have only succeeded in curbing its urge to become Stop and Shop by resorting to legal measures..Our neighborhood now has to endure, at Nica's hands, traffic hazards including noise and air pollution from the endless stream of truck deliveries which never, ever spoiled our lives and environment in the days when (under previous ownership) the store was content to be, quite simply, a community deli--. This is not to mention the stench permanently emanating from Nica's overstuffed, open trash containers (complete with rats) and the empty beer cans, cigarette butts and waste matter chucked over my fence. I'd be interested in hearing from neighbors of the other local delis--the Orange Street Market and Romeo's -- if they, too, have to endure these antisocial hazards..

Then move.

Will do- when my coffin arrives!

I got one in my basement! I can drop it off if you want. It should fit you and your nosie nasty chickens. I'm sorry or should I say wild bird songs.

Wow, resorting to unnecessary aggressiveness is really a shame...personal attacks should have no place in a public discussion and are never the appropriate response to a legitimate complaint.

This community is filled with highly educated, professional residents. Is it really necessary to publically complain about a business? Whatever your personal issue may be with Nica's, deal with them directly. SeeClickFix should be used for real issues such as potholes or anything endangering the citizens of New Haven. Leave the pettiness out of it.

I doubt the recent legal costs incurred by Nica's neighbors -- "highly educated, professional residents" -- in an endeavor to gain the protection of the law (and thereby protection of the interests of the local community) were anything less than "real" and certainly far from "petty." Such "issues" with Nica's have been of public (not "personal") concern for many years now.

I have made my inquiries. What you see happening at the site is the removal of an old garage that was ready to fall apart and possibly hurt someone, and the construction of a new garage in it's place. The new garage has the same dimensions as the old one but the entrance will face Bishop Street where access to the house already exists. There will not be access to the parking lot through Bishop.
The owners of the home pay taxes in New Haven just like everyone else and it seems to me that they are taking steps to improve the property. I personally did not find the old garage that attractive.
I'm wondering if all this concern about what is going on is fueled by other unrelated issues, perhaps personal.
The garage cannot be built without a permit, so whatever they are doing then it is in line what the zoning regulations if it was granted.
I suggest we worry about bigger issues concerning our town and not the reconstruction of an old garage. Cheers.

Excellent, Sabrina -- we are keeping our fingers crossed! You'll understand, I'm sure, that, historically, Nica's has caused the community considerable anxiety so vigilance is the byword. Thank you again for your reassuring message..

Sabrina- if u lived nearby and put up with multiple ongoing unenforced violations on a daily basis you would see this in a different light- hope their not as good friend with Johnny d as they will be with harp so officials will stop looking the other way. BTW whats an issue to some may not affect others=- please open your mind and stop being so trivial- this is what this site is for to check and balance these sorts of things

Too many think this possible zoning violation is a trivial non-issue

It was a legitimate concern , a fair question. I haven't read any answer or response from the City , maybe anonymously in a post above.
I like the store , the owners are friendly.They have a thriving business,good luck.
They fall short in comparison to Nick Cassella,former owner,Prime Market. He would have as many trucks as he can deliver early as possible (not too early as to waken the nabe )
They were quick and stealthy in regards to unloading a truck and getting the driver and truck out of there as soon as possible - No loitering around for an hour as we see many a delivery person do now

I'm with joseph - concerning the Prime market. Loved it, and loved that they did well for many years without the need to pave over a large expanse of lawn for their parking lot. Nick seemed to be a humble man, who employed the neighborhood kids, had a steady business, and managed to do it without this delivery truck problem.

ahh...... yes, indeed..... plus no overfilled trash containers that require Behemoth garbage collectors which screech, crash & shake the very earth we walk upon - in fact, as Prime Market's backyard neighbor I can vouch for the lovely quiet of Nick's operations (no louder than a friendly chat over the hedge) and the genuine -- genuine-- family atmosphere of his store.

Unfortunately, at the core of this issue is the management of Nicas. These people have proven again and again that they do not tell the truth, and cannot be trusted. They say they will do one thing, and they do another. They are zoned as one thing then try to do another. They have a permit for a certain number of outdoor seats, and they put out double or triple that. They say they will address the idling trucks, and nothing changes. We talk with them about illegally parked trucks endangering kids trying to get on their schoolbus, and they do nothing. They say they will fix the nasty dumpster issue, and they do nothing. This has been going on for years and years. We, the neighbors of Nicas, have tried talking with them, cajoling them, pleading with them to address these issues... and they do nothing. They have earned our distrust. They have earned our ire. They have earned every drop of vitriol heaped on them. Is it a wonder that we distrust everything we see them do and every thing they attempt to do? We do not need them. There are plenty of other businesses in the area that offer the same products and services for less money and with less arrogance. I have stopped shopping there, and I recommend others do the same. I also encourage every neighbor to actively fight everything they want to do. Nicas, as Newton's third law of motion states - "for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction." Time for us to push back.

When Nicas first looked to expand, neighbors made it clear that they would oppose their BZA application. The neighbors, including an architect and planner, offered to work out a plan with them. After many meetings and much pro bono work by residents, a plan was agreed on. Nicas said that it would be the basis of their BZA application. Neighbors believed this, and let down their guard, leaving them unprepared when Nicas went into the BZA with their OLD PLAN, told officials they had neighborhood buy-in, and got it approved. Never Forget.

Well said, neighbor. Only yesterday I took a photograph of one of their trucks idling for 15 minutes on Bishop St blocking my driveway. Will it ever end?
Rosemarie

Who's the alderman here? Why aren't you taking your complaints to that person?

No acknowledgement- hmmm ??
Has anyone brought this to the attention of the Police District Manager ??

You have greater faith in the Powers-That-Be than some of us around here, The only rep that I really know I can trust is Roland Lemar. If the city inspector can reliably act in our community interest on all the recent complaints about Nica's violations we will all celebrate-- loudly! There will be fireworks-- you bet!

I have been following the issue and am in touch with the building department and one of the neighbors above via email. The owners have a permit for a 14x23' garage to be used by residents of the property. There are some concerns about the distance of the structure from the property line, so the building inspector will be checking it out to make sure it is within the parameters of the permit.

ALSO, has any close neighbor to NICAS find it VERY annoying to be waken up at 730AM, when they could sleep a little longer, due to those uncaring owners using the early morning hour (not afternoon, or, early evening hours); to cut the grass with those LOUD gas powered machines AND then BLOWING the leaves with that remendous noise maker....the BLOWER, hand held, powered also? Has anyone else found this annoying like I have? they seem to care less who they walk up or disturb while *beautifying* thier property, but not the public city own side grasses. speak up, everyone when you are disturbed...have a good day.

I'm afraid I have to second that ("afraid" because I know other East Rockers are tired of our endless trouble with Nica's -- the town's most ****** residents). But what to do? I've spoken with them frequently when, after dark, they are "blowing" loudly with their machines (what is wrong with a rake or a broom?) thus sabotaging our summer evening's peace. Today a nerighbor and I stood and looked at the squalor that is now Nica's "little acre" which, but a few years ago, was an attractive property with lawns and pretty dogwoods & ancient hemlocks bordered by beautiful firs.. As we gazed with dismay on today's unpleasant spectacle it was not without a sense of irony since,: for the past 4 years, while Nica's has been degrading the neighborhood, East Rockers have been working hard, day after day, week after week, with Greenspace....... to beautify the area.!.

There is a noise ordinance on the books. Read up on it and call the cops. Demand they bring the noise meter. Get your alderman to make sure they listen to you.

If you can't get help with this, and it really is such a problem, consider replacing your alderman with someone who can get things done.

Your faith in the powers-that-be are a wonder to behold. Last time I called the cops when a vehicle was blocking my driveway (and my morning appointments!! ) it was lunchtime by the time they arrived.

Then you keep calling the switchboard until they send someone.

Or tell them you have an emergency and have to get your kid's spare inhaler to him because she's having an attack at a friend's house and if they don't get the car moved immediately you'll sue them so hard it will make Ricci vs. New Haven look like overturning a speeding ticket.

Key point, squeaky wheel gets the grease.

This issue was recategorized from Traffic/Road Safety to Other - city responsibility.

This issue is being moved to the Other category to allow for further discussion. Thank you.

This issue was recategorized from Other - city responsibility to Other.

We are trying to delineate issues that are current and need the city's attention to resolve. Any issues prior to 2013 are being closed. If your issue remains and needs to be addressed by the city, please either re-open or open as a new See Click Fix issue. Thanks.