Arriving in Branford: Chipotle, Bluegrass and Cosgrove Court

The Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Commission unanimously approved four proposals Thursday—- two Cosgrove family subdivisions; a Chipotle restaurant; and musical entertainment at The Stand restaurant in Indian Neck.

Re-Subdividing Cosgrove Property

“This is a very straightforward application,” said Engineer Bob Criscuolo, of Criscuolo Engineering in Branford, as he presented plans to re-subdivide a 1.5 acre site at 19 Parish Farm Road. The property is owned by the legendary Dan Cosgrove, a master builder and a political force in Branford and in the state for decades.

Developer Alex Vigliotti requested permission to split off a small triangular-shaped piece of property at 19 Parish Farm Road and merge it with property at 15 Parish Farm Road owned by Jane E. Bell, the mother of First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove, who lives nearby. The lot at 19 Parish Farm Road has not been developed, but it is a buildable lot.

The site was originally part of a larger parcel owned by the elder Cosgrove that was first subdivided in 1976 and most recently re-subdivided in 2005. The lots are now numbered 15 Parish Farm Road through 55 Parish Farm Road. The land is all zoned Residential-4.

Criscuolo said the elder Cosgrove had planned how the properties would be subdivided and developed, with several sites for family members. “It’s kind of unique,” Criscuolo said.

In 2006, a 1-acre lot at 55 Parish Farm Road was conveyed to the town with a restriction that it be used for “school purposes only.” That site is currently a soccer field, which is used by the adjacent Mary T. Murphy Elementary School, and by the Recreation Department.

The donated land fulfilled a zoning regulation that requires every subdivision to either set aside 10 percent of the land for open space or provide a fee-in-lieu of open space.

One issue Thursday was whether the property previously conveyed to the town would satisfy the current re-subdivision.

Jennifer Acquino, the zoning enforcement officer, said the parcel that was dedicated as open space in 2006 could qualify for this parcel also.

Charles Andres, who chairs the P&Z, agreed the open space requirement was previously met, and the plans were approved. No residents spoke at the public hearing.

Cosgrove Court Approved

The commission Thursday voted in favor of a larger subdivision proposal by Vigliotti that was presented last month. It will be called Cosgrove Court.

Vigliotti plans to build a 16-lot residential complex on a 10-acre site at 99 Cherry Hill Road.  The property—previously a cornfield—is owned by Cornfield LLC, a corporation created by Cosgrove’s children, Susan Cosgrove Barnes, Daniel T. Cosgrove and Mark Cosgrove.

Engineer James Pretti, of Criscuolo Engineering in Branford, told the commission last month that five of the homes would be along Cherry Hill Road, and another 11 would be built along a proposed cul-de-sac named Cosgrove Court that would exit onto Todd’s Hill Road.

The parcel is zoned Residential-4, as are the adjoining properties, which means there is a minimum lot size of 20,000 square feet.

Plans filed with the project said construction is targeted to begin in June, with estimated completion of the cul-de-sac access road in August.

The developer requested last month that construction of the five homes on Cherry Hill Road could begin before the access road is complete, and the commission approved that request Thursday. The developer agreed to satisfy zoning regulations by paying a fee, rather than granting any land as open space.

Chipotle Is New Neighbor for Starbucks

The commission approved a request Thursday to build a Chipotle restaurant at 2 Commercial Parkway near the Starbucks on Route 1. Both properties are owned by 870 North Main LLC, a corporation in Salem, Mass.

During the presentation last month, engineer John Mancini, of BL Companies in Meriden, said half of the plaza housing Subway and other businesses will be torn down, and the remaining half will be renovated for the new Chipotle.

A question about vehicles crossing between Chipotle and Starbucks was resolved Thursday when the commission said a deed restriction could address the issue rather than requiring an easement.

P&Z chair Andres said someone, an employee of the former Subway at the plaza, suggested building a fence to prevent Starbucks customers from parking in the plaza lot. “A fence would be disastrous,” Andres said. The Chipotle plans call for 36 parking spaces, which is more than zoning regulations require for a business that size.

Serving Up Some BBQ Music

The new BBQ restaurant opening soon at the Indian Neck Garage at South Montowese Street will feature entertainment like bluegrass and Americana music—thanks to an approval by the P&Z Commission Thursday.

Initial approval was granted last year for “The Stand” restaurant, which is the brainchild of Greg Nobile, the Tony award winning producer; and Eamon Roche, who operates a BBQ catering business in Branford. The food truck and farm market operated last summer while the interior of the 1938 garage was being renovated for the restaurant.

Nobile, Roche and their attorney, Jim Perito, asked the commission for permission to have live entertainment at both the outdoor picnic tables and in the restaurant. After some discussion, Nobile and Roche agreed that music performed outdoors would not be amplified and would end at 5 p.m. They also agreed that all doors and windows at the restaurant must be closed after 5 p.m. if amplified music is performed inside.

Fred Russo, who serves as an alternate on the P&Z Commission, lives in Indian Neck. “I ask you to be a good neighbor,” he said as he discussed problems with loud music at a former venue in the neighborhood.

The restaurant will be open year-round from 6 a.m. to midnight.

###