Diana Stricker Photo
Branford’s town planner is moving up in the world, but not in Branford.
Jose Giner (top photo), who has headed the Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Department for about 17 months, tendered his resignation last week. He is meeting with town officials Monday to discuss finding a replacement.
Giner, whose last day is Dec. 24, has accepted the position of Director of Planning and Economic Development in the town of Bloomfield. The new job is an upward career move and he will be closer to home, but he said the choice to leave Branford was not an easy one.
“It was a tough decision,” Giner told the Eagle. “From a planning point of view, this has been is a great job.”
Giner is leaving at a pivotal time for Branford as developers are proposing major residential and commercial projects—- the Anchor Wharf proposal at the former Atlantic Wire site in the heart of town; and Costco’s proposed master plan for Exit 56.
However, Giner said both projects are just in the initial stages, and he has full confidence in the “top-notch staff” in the P&Z Department.
Giner said one factor affecting his decision was the lengthy commute from his East Windsor home. Instead of traveling 90 minutes to work each morning and evening, he’ll now have a 20-minute commute each way. The major factor, however, was that the new job will be more encompassing and have greater responsibilities.
Giner took the helm after former Town Planner Shirley Rasmussen retired in July 2013 after serving since 1986. Click here to read that story.
“I enjoyed the challenges here,” he said. There’s a lot of diverse things going on.”
Major Projects On Tap—Atlantic Wharf and Costco
Atlantic Wharf currently has an application for a Planned Development District (PDD) before the P&Z Commission. A public hearing began Dec. 4 and will continue Jan. 8. Giner already gave the staff recommendations at the December meeting. Giner said if the PDD is approved, the developers have up to two years to submit site plans. Click here to read about the public hearing.
Giner also said that it will be awhile before Costco submits an application to P&Z because the developers must first apply to the Inland Wetland (I-W) Commission. Click here to read about First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove’s announcement about Costco.
Costco has not made a formal application yet, but the development team met informally at Town Hall last week with the town engineer and staff from P&Z and I-W departments.
The developers are represented by architects, engineers and environmental specialists from BL Companies in Meriden. This is the same company that made informal presentations to the I-W Commission in 2011 when Costco was part of a master plan proposed for the Bittersweet property. No formal application was ever made. Click here to read about that proposal.
Assistant Planner Rich Stoecker said it is anticipated that Costco will submit a formal application to I-W in January.
Giner said since both projects are just gearing up, his leaving should not have an adverse effect.
“There’s no good time to leave, because there’s always lots of things going on, and that’s a good thing for Branford, that things continue to happen.” For example, he said one long-range project is the proposed development of Exit 53 and the construction of a full interchange of I-95, which the town has discussed for years with state transportation officials and those owning various pieces of land.
“It’s a great town and I’m really sorry I can’t stay longer to see some of those projects through,” Giner said, but the town is in a very good position to have some quality types of projects.
Before coming to Branford, Giner was a town planner for 10 years in East Windsor and for 15 years in Enfield.
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