Fairfield has approved affordable condominium units in Southport.

It's been years in the making but there's a minor problem.

An office building at 250 Pequot Ave. in Southport is owned by former Fairfield radiologist Robert Russo.

He plans to demolish it and build a four-story, 18-unit condominium that would include two affordable units.

It's the second multifamily housing plan in Southport approved by the Town Plan and Zoning Commission.

"I think this is a beautifully designed project and I commend the applicant for that," said Tom Corsillo, with the Town Plan and Zoning Commission.

"There's been a lot of affordable rental units in the town. There really has not been a lot of affordable for sale units," said real estate attorney Chris Russo.

Russo, who has represented his father on the project, argued that for-sale affordable housing units could create unpredictable home ownership costs for lower-earning people.

He wants to add a fee in lieu.

"The point of that is to essentially raise money for an affordable housing trust fund that could then be used to create even more units," said Russo. The fee in lieu did not pass at last week's Town Plan and Zoning Commission but the commission is going to take a longer look at it.

Russo says this project at 250 Pequot Ave. may pave the way for other developments.

The project is expected to start early next year.

The Town Plan and Zoning Commission says more affordable units are needed for more diversity around Southport and a fee in lieu would limit that.