Diana Stricker Photo
The developers of the proposed Atlantic Wharf project have succeeded in their first step in creating a residential and commercial neighborhood in the heart of Branford.
At the Thursday night meeting, the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) unanimously approved the establishment of a Planned Development District (PDD) at the site of the former Atlantic Wire factory along Meadow Street.
“We’re honored that they trust this property with us, and we anticipate we’ll meet their expectations,” Developer Robert H. Smith Jr. told the Eagle following the vote.
The site is located along the Branford River, within walking distance of the Town Center and the Shoreline East Train Station.
Smith, the CEO and founder of the Milford-based Metro Star Properties LLC, is pictured in the center above, after hearing the results of the vote. To his left is attorney Greg Muccilli; and to Smith’s right is project partner Earl Tucker, vice-president of Empire Paving in Branford.
Now that the conceptual plans and the PDD have been approved, the developer will be required to submit detailed site plans. Smith told the Eagle he anticipates the site plans will be ready in about four months. Another public hearing will be scheduled at that point.
“The nitty-gritty comes in the next step,” said P&Z chair Ellsworth McGuigan in regard to the site plans.
The commissioners expressed support for the project at the last meeting, but decided to draft a resolution before taking a vote. Click here to read the story.
The resolution spells out the specifics of the approval, and outlines five additional conditions that must be met. One of the conditions deals with the alignment of Church Street with the new road.
“I think it’s a good resolution,” McGuigan said prior to the vote.
Diana Stricker Photo
Town attorney Bill Aniskovich said he reviewed the resolution and discussed the conditions with the developer. Aniskovich, pictured at far right above, does not typically attend P&Z meetings.
Approval of the PDD allows residential, commercial and retail development at the site, which had been zoned industrial.
Live, Work and Play
With Permission
The developers plan to transform the 7.5 acres along the Branford River into a live, work and play community targeted to young professionals—the so-called millennials. The concept plans call for 205 apartment units in 10 buildings, plus nearly 10,000 square feet of restaurants, and 11,560 square-feet of retail or office space. Those plans will be fine-tuned during the site-plan phase.
There are two separate parcels—the main factory property along Meadow Street and a smaller lot across the street at 256 Meadow St.
There was mixed reaction during public hearings on the PDD, with some neighbors on nearby Wilford Avenue expressing concerns about the size and number of buildings.Click here to read the story. It is anticipated some of those concerns will be discussed during public hearings for the site plans.
Branford Benefits
Officials say the town stands to benefit from the proposed project in terms of property tax revenue and infrastructure improvements.
A real estate consultant for the development team stated at the public hearing in December that the project would generate about $987,000 annually from property taxes, car taxes, and restaurant taxes. He calculated there would be about $319,000 in costs for education, police, fire and ambulance coverage, which would result in more than $600,000 in potential tax revenue.
The developers also plan to realign the convoluted intersection of Meadow and Montowese streets and Pine Orchard Road, a project which the town has been attempting to undertake for several years.
A member of the design team previously said the need to solve the intersection issue was first raised by Shirley Rasmussen, who was the town planner when talks with the developers began two years ago. The project also includes a small parklet to accommodate walkers and bicyclists who use the Shoreline Greenway Trail, which will travel through the property.
As part of the proposed project, the developers plan to tear down the dilapidated Atlantic Wire buildings and remediate the industrial pollution.
Industrial Eyesore
The Atlantic Wire mill, which began operations in 1906, declared bankruptcy in 2008 after being charged with federal crimes and state violations for polluting the Branford River. At that time, former Attorney General Richard Blumenthal called Atlantic Wire one of the worst polluters in the state.
In December 2008, Atlantic Wire 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.
The property was purchased in 2010 by Kevin O’Neill, president of Cherry Hill Glass Co. on Elm Street; along with his corporate partners, Jeffrey A. James and Theodore J. Cwiertniewicz through their One Church Street LLC.
Brewery Relocation
The P&Z also unanimously approved a proposal Thursday night to relocate the Thimble Island Brewing Company to 16 Business Park Drive.
Brewery owners Justin Gargano and Mike Fawcett have been brewing beer at 53 East Industrial Road—about 1 mile from the new location. The new site is owned by Charles Weber and Ed Secondino, who are spearheading the proposed Costco complex master plan on East Industrial Road.
“We’re maxed out of production space at our current location,” Gargano said during a brief public hearing. There were no public comments on the proposal.
The Thimble Island Brewing Company was founded in 2010, and began selling beer in 2012. Two of its signatures beers are American Ale, and Coffee Stout, made with Willoughby’s coffee beans.
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