Developer Withdraws Sterling Ridge Condo Project

Neighbor Ann Trapasso was shocked to hear that developers had withdrawn the proposed Sterling Ridge condo project just hours before the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) was set to deny the project.

The project would have been built near Trapasso’s home and the historic Harrison House in the heart of Branford. Both Trapasso and the Branford Historical Society hired attorneys to oppose the project, and many residents voiced concern about the proposed development in the Canoe Brook Historic District during public hearings.

P&Z chair Charles Andres (pictured far right) announced at Thursday night’s meeting that the developer had withdrawn the application that afternoon.

“I am just shocked, but pleased,” Trapasso told the Eagle as she left Thursday’s meeting.

Trapasso (pictured here) said she doesn’t consider this a win for her or the Historical Society. “I would say it’s most likely a delay,” she said, adding that she anticipates the developer will return.

The plans called for building 12 condo units on a 3.45 acre lot at 26 Cherry Hill Road located between Route 1 and Main Street. An existing home on the site would be renovated. Developer Alan Genn of Greenwich, who bought the property in Aug. 2014, was seeking to modify a Planned Development District (PDD) that was approved by P&Z in 2007.

Several plans and several owners have been involved in the site in the past 12 years. An earlier version of the PDD had been approved by P&Z in 2005 and was modified in 2007 as part of a settlement agreement after an appeal was filed by the Historical Society and Trapasso.

At a P&Z meeting earlier this month, the commission discussed the project and asked staff to draft a resolution to deny the proposal.  At that meeting, Town Attorney Bill Aniskovich said in his opinion two of the three issues raised during public hearings by Trapasso’s attorney, Christopher Smith, of Shipman & Goodwin in Hartford, did not apply.

Aniskovich said the third issue raised was complex and his research was incomplete. He said there would most likely be an opinion but not a definitive answer. The third issue questioned whether the plans had expired, and therefore could not be modified. Click here to read about the Sept. 3 meeting.

The plans were initially presented in June by Attorney Bernard Pellegrino, of the Pellegrino Law Firm in New Haven, who represents the owner. He said that in his opinion, the 2007 plans were still valid and could be modified. Click here to read that story.

Pellegrino did not attend Thursday’s meeting and could not be reached for comment on the developer’s decision to withdraw his application. 

Branford Hills Concerns

In other business, Town Planner Harry Smith discussed concerns about changes taking place in the Branford Hills section of town, particularly in the Mona Drive neighborhood.  At a meeting earlier this summer, residents attended a P&Z meeting to complain about construction sites in that neighborhood.

Smith said R1 zoning allows duplex homes to be built if the lot has sufficient footage. He said several single family homes have been demolished and replaced by duplexes. “We noticed there had been several changes to the neighborhood already,” Smith said.

He said most of the single-family homes were built in the 1940’s and 1950’s and that the new duplex homes increase the density of the neighborhood. He said that area is problematic because of the narrow streets, dead-end roads and steep topography.

“The area is kind of challenging to have that level of development,” Smith told the commission. He said there are options the commission could consider in regard to zoning.

Commissioner Joe Chadwick said the narrow streets and dead-end roads are already problematic for fire and emergency vehicles. “You should have the lowest possible density,” he said.

“It’s been a problem at some other sites,” commissioner Joe Vaiuso said in regard to replacing homes with duplexes.

Commissioner John Lust agreed that something needs to be done. 

Andres suggested looking at other R1 zones in town before making any decisions.

“We’ll do some more homework and come back,” Smith told the commission.

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