Change Brewing At Old Atlantic Wire Site

Long-awaited plans will soon be unveiled for development at the former Atlantic Wire property, which lies near the Town Center along the Branford River. Prospective developers will make an informal presentation at the June 19 Planning and Zoning (P&Z) meeting.

“It’s great to see there’s some action there,” First Selectman James Cosgrove told the Eagle.

Branford town leaders and residents have been curious for years about the future of the former industrial site, which is within walking distance of the Town Green and the Shoreline East train station.

Kevin O’Neill, president of Cherry Hill Glass Co. on Elm Street, purchased the sprawling industrial complex at the intersection of Montowese and Meadow streets in December 2010. Here is another view of the building.

O’Neill told the Eagle that developers—one with ties to Branford—want to convert industrial space to mixed use. He did not name the developers or elaborate on the plans.  O’Neill moved part of the Cherry Hill Glass operations to Atlantic Wire about three years ago, but they occupy only a small portion of the property.

During a recent P&Z meeting, Town Planner Jose Giner announced the upcoming informal presentation for Atlantic Wire. Giner later told the Eagle that the proposal includes mixed use with residential and commercial components. He said no formal application has been made yet, and no plans have been filed.

Also during the recent P&Z meeting, the commission unanimously approved plans for a new Branford resident to build a second spacious waterfront home in the Pawson Park section of town.

In addition, plans to blast a rocky mountain and build a residential garage on Killam’s Point have been withdrawn. Officials said revised plans may soon be filed.

A Metamorphosis for Atlantic Wire? 

Atlantic Wire’s prominent location so close to the Town Center has led to speculation about what the future could offer. It has a storied past.

The former wire mill, founded in 1906, declared bankruptcy and closed shop in 2008. The then-owner was charged with federal crimes and state violations for polluting the adjacent Branford River with toxic chemicals. Click here to read about that. 

At that time, ten-state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal called Atlantic Wire one of the worst polluters in the state. In December 2008, the company pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to the criminal charges—violating the federal Clean Water Act and submitting false statements regarding its pollution measures.  Company owners conducted an extensive clean-up of the site as part of a deal they made with the state.

The property was on the market for about two years before being purchased by O’Neill and his partners, Jeffrey A. James and Theodore J. Cwiertniewicz through their One Church Street LLC., at a price of about $850,000.

The Eagle recently asked O’Neill about the status of continued clean-up efforts at the site. He said “the remediation is not complete. I don’t know when it will be. It has taken a long time.” 

O’Neill has experience remediating industrial properties. He transformed the abandoned Nutmeg Steel Castings site into his Cherry Hill Glass business.

In an interview with the Eagle following the Atlantic Wire purchase, O’Neill talked about his plans to expand his glass business there and the possibility of other development. He also said he had spoken with town officials regarding then First Selectman Anthony “Unk” DaRos’ proposal to realign the intersections of Meadow and Montowese streets, and Pine Orchard Road.  DaRos at that time envisioned the industrial site could become an artist colony with lofts, boutiques and stores along a river walk. Click here to read that story.

In June 2011, O’Neill received approval from P&Z to use 40,000 square feet of the rambling 158,000 square-foot building for production and storage of windows and skylights from his Cherry Hill Glass Co. Click here to read about that.

Homes With A View

Following a public hearing June 5, the P&Z unanimously approved a coastal site plan for a new home at 31 Ferry Lane. The home will be built by Roger M. Boissonneault, who owns a newly constructed home on adjacent property at 39 Ferry Lane. ( See photo)

Bob Criscuolo of Criscuolo Engineering LLC in Branford said the new multi-level home will be about 12,000 square feet. The land is about 30 feet above sea level and has a panoramic view of Branford Harbor.  He later told the Eagle that the two homes will be occupied by Boissonneault and his children and their families.

“This house is a little unlike the cottage houses we’ve been building, ​“said Russell Campaigne, of Campaigne Kestner Architects of Guilford. ​“It is definitely different than some of the homes you’re seeing.” Here is a close-up.

Campaigne described the style as Mediterranean and said the home will be large but it will be an asset to the community for a long time to come.

Criscuolo said about 1,320 cubic yards will be excavated, and the materials will be used to build terraces on the property. Some of the excavation will require blasting.

Only one neighbor spoke at the hearing, Carol Gesner, of 2 Ferry Lane, who asked how construction traffic would impact the narrow gravel lane.

Criscuolo told her the owner understands the physical constraints of the lane and will plan accordingly so there will not be too much disruption in the neighborhood.  The two properties owned by Boissonneault sit at the end of Ferry Lane.  This is the site for the second home.

Criscuolo said the owner had spoken with the neighbors about the project. “He thought all the neighbors were happy with the project.” Criscuolo told the commission.

Branford resident Jacey Wyatt, who does not live in the Pawson Park neighborhood, said the architectural plans are wonderful and the new home will generate additional taxes for the town.

Roger and Terri Boissonneault purchased the .64-acre property at 31 Ferry Lane in Dec. 2010 for $1.3 million. A small cottage that was built in 1934 was torn down last winter.  The couple purchased the adjacent 1.5 acre property in 2002 for $1.6 million, and recently completed construction of a new home there.

Killam’s Point Proposal May Return

Assistant Planner Richard Stoecker said a proposal to build a two-story garage at 15 Killam’s Point Road near Short Beach was withdrawn by the applicant, but is being revised. Stoecker said the scaled-down proposal may be submitted to P&Z as early as next month.

Several neighbors and members of the First Congregation Church attended an April 19 P&Z public hearing to voice opposition to the project. Plans called for blasting a rocky mountain and building a garage on property owned by Mary Early. Click here to read the story. 
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