Atlantic Wharf Concept Approved In Spirit

The Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) won’t vote on the Atlantic Wharf project until the next meeting, but the commissioners certainly expressed their approval of the proposal Thursday.

Developer Robert H. Smith hopes to build a “live, work and play” community along the Branford River—just a short walk from the Town Center and the Shoreline East Train Station. As part of the project, Smith will remediate the contaminated Atlantic Wire factory site, and will realign a dangerous intersection that the town has been hoping to fix for years.

Ellsworth McGuigan, who chairs the P&Z, (seated far right) spoke in favor of the residential and retail concept and also what the developer will do for the town. “I think it takes away an industrial eyesore…. I drive by it every day and every day there’s another broken window. And it eliminates that jog in the road.”

The jog he mentioned occurs at the zig-zag intersection with Meadow and Montowese streets and Pine Orchard Road.

The proposal calls for building a new road through the development, which will feature 205 apartments, and several restaurants and retail stores. The apartments will be marketed to millennials—young professionals in their early 30s who are looking for upscale apartments in a walkable community.

“I like the use itself,” said commissioner Charles Andres. “It’s appropriate for downtown.” He agreed with McGuigan about the benefit of remediating the polluted factory property and fixing the intersection. He said it’s a good example of “a private guy fixing public problems.”

Andres said some residents who opposed the project said it was too dense for the area. However, he said that level of density is permitted in the Town Center. “I like having population in the Center,” he said. “It supports businesses.”

“I love the project in terms of what it can do for this town,” said commissioner Marci Palluzzi, referring to the way it will create a walkable community near the Town Center.

“This is a very good concept,” said Joe Chadwick, who is an alternate member of the commission. “I think the problem with density is way overstated.” He said the project will be balanced by open spaces at the nearby ballparks and along the river.

“I like a development like this because of what it will add to the downtown,” said commissioner John Lust.  He said in recent years, the whole area from the train station toward the Town Center has been undergoing a transformation. He anticipates that will continue will this development, and also as any potential developers look at the Branford Landing area.

Fred Russo, and alternate member of the commission, said he approves of the concept plans but he suggested eliminating the proposed one-way section of Meadow Street and making it a cul-de-sac instead.

Town engineer Janice Plaziak disagreed with Russo’s proposal. “Dead-ends in the middle of town are a problem,” she said, adding that it would impede traffic flow.

Smith, (pictured here, smiling) CEO and founder of the Metro Star Properties LLC in Milford, is requesting that the 7.5 acres along Meadow Street be designated as a Planned Development District (PDD). The properties are currently zoned industrial, while most of the surrounding area is zoned restricted business or residential. If the PDD is approved at the February meeting, the developer will be required to submit detailed site plans, which will also require a public hearing.

Road Issue Discussion

The commissioners continued to discuss a road issue last night that was raised at the public hearing earlier this month. The concept plans show the proposed new road beginning 200 feet to the east of Church Street and a parking lot across from Church Street. Plaziak said the new road should be aligned with Church Street to create a four-way intersection, instead of a jog. She said it would allow better traffic flow. Smith at that meeting said he would accommodate whatever road configuration the town prefers. Click here to read about that meeting.

The commissioners said that a new road reconfiguration would affect the proposed parking, so the developer would have to design a new parking plan for that area.

Plaziak said parking concerns can be addressed during the site plan phase. ​“It’s kind of a work in progress,” she said of the concept plans.

There was some discussion of voting on the PDD last night, but the commissioners decided to draft a written resolution and then vote on it at the next meeting. ​“I think it’s safer this way,” Andres, who is an attorney, said in regard to a written resolution. The commission has taken that stance for other major projects.

Andres suggested the resolution should include a least three conditions that were discussed by the commission in regard to the Church Street intersection and parking.

McGuigan said the commission will vote on the resolution at the Feb. 5 meeting.

Other Public Hearings

Public hearings were held on three other proposals last night, and the commission unanimously approved:

— — Site plans for an Alzheimer’s care facility at 810 – 814 East Main St.

—- The placement of two food trucks at the Stony Creek Brewery on Indian Neck Road.

—- An updated zoning map for the town.

The Eagle will have a story on these projects soon.

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