Developer Alex Vigliotti is proposing to build a 16-lot residential subdivision on a 10-acre farmland site owned by the Dan Cosgrove family and located near the family compound.
The property at 99 Cherry Hill Road — previously a cornfield — is owned by Cornfield LLC, a corporation created by Susan Cosgrove Barnes, Daniel T. Cosgrove and Mark Cosgrove in September. Their father is the legendary Danny Cosgrove — one of Branford’s most famous political figures. The elder Cosgrove, 98, who was known as the Boss of Branford was the head of the 12th District Democratic Central Committee for more than 20 years. First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove is the son of Daniel T. Cosgrove and the grandson of Danny Cosgrove.
Vigliotti is also requesting to re-subdivide a 1.3-acre site owned by the elder Cosgrove at 19 Parish Farms Road. That proposal involves splitting off a small portion of the property.
The proposals were received by the Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Commission at Thursday’s meeting. No presentations were made regarding either property. The commission scheduled a March 3 public hearing for the smaller site, and anticipates a presentation and discussion of the larger property at either the Feb. 18 or March 3 meeting.
In other business Thursday, the commission unanimously approved a 4-lot subdivision at 259-339 Main Street owned by Elizabeth Ann Trapasso. Her father, John B. Sliney, was a long-time first selectman and close friend and political ally of the elder Cosgrove.
The commission also discussed plans for additional parking at the Stony Creek Brewery on Indian Neck Avenue.
Prime Property
The Cosgrove’s site at 99 Cherry Hill Road is level property with no wetlands. The approximate 10-acre site is zoned Residential-4, as are the adjoining properties, which means there is a minimum lot size of 20,000 square feet.
“It’s rare that you see developable land like this anymore,” P&Z chair Charles Andres told the commissioners.
Andres later told the Eagle that state regulations do not require a public hearing for subdivisions, but do require a hearing for re-subdivisions.
Plans filed with the Cherry Hill Road proposal say a cul-de-sac road will be constructed to provide access from Todd’s Hill Road. See photo above. The construction is targeted to begin in June, with estimated completion of the access road in August. It also stated that timing of construction of the homes depends on market demand.
Paperwork filed with the 1.3 acre site at 19 Parish Farm Road calls for a small portion of the land to be conveyed to the neighboring property at 15 Parish Farm Road, which is now owned by Jane Bell, Jamie Cosgrove’s mother. He lives nearby. The land is zoned Residential-4.
Town Center Subdivision
The P&Z unanimously approved a request to subdivide a 1.75- acre parcel at 259-339 Main Street owned by Elizabeth Ann Trapasso. The parcel, which is zoned Restricted Business (BR), currently includes four houses and a barn. It is bordered by Main Street, Bradley Street and North Harbor Street.
Diana Stricker Photo
Trapasso attorney, Richard Patterson at hearing.
Trapasso’s attorney, Richard Patterson, said plans call for creating four lots which can then be sold individually. Three of the lots on Bradley and North Harbor Street would be about 8,000 square-feet each, and the remaining lot bordering Main Street would be 27,149 square feet. The four newly-created lots would all meet the size requirements of the BR zone.
Trapasso inherited the land from her father, John B. Sliney, who besides serving as first selectman was also a member of the Board of Education. The nearby Sliney Elementary School on Eades Street was named for him.
Diana Stricker Photo.
P&Z Commission.
All five of the P&Z commissioners voted in favor of the proposal - Andres, John Lust, Joe Vaiuso, Joe Chadwick and Paul Higgins Jr. The P&Z also welcomed Chris Kelly (far right) as the new alternate to the commission. Kelly introduced himself and told the commission that he moved to Branford in April and wanted to get involved in town government right away. Kelly said he works as a manager at Cohen’s Bagel Company in Madison, and is also a part-time realtor. He served as an alternate on the Zoning Board of Appeals for about one year when he lived in Beacon Falls.
Several conditions were placed on the approval, including payment of a fee in lieu of open space designation. State regulations require property owners who subdivide their land to either donate a portion of the property as open space, or pay a fee to the town.
Brewery Parking
Diana Stricker Photo
Bob Criscuolo, of Criscuolo Engineering in Branford.
Bob Criscuolo, of Criscuolo Engineering in Branford, presented plans for additional parking for the Stony Creek Brewery on Indian Neck Avenue. The current lot, which is next to the brewery, has 152 spaces. The original plans designated the possibility of an overflow parking area across the street.
Brewery owner Ed Crowley said additional parking spaces are needed for the busy summer months. The brewery held its grand opening in April.
Criscuolo said plans now call for the creation of a gravel parking lot across the street with 48 spaces. He said this is a temporary solution, and the plans could change as needed. “We want the flexibility to change it in the future,” he said.
Andres said no vote would be taken Thursday, since the plans are slated for discussion by Town Center Revitalization and Review Board at its Feb. 10 meeting.
Other Projects
—The commissioners announced that a proposal made last month regarding Russell Street has been withdrawn. Kevin O’Neill, a local developer, had requested to tear down a house at 35 Russell St., and make it into a parking lot. Several neighbors opposed the plan.
—A request was received from Robert and Sara Amato to open a bakery at 1044 Main St. That proposal will be discussed at the March 3 meeting.
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