Diana Stricker Photo
Conceptual sketches.
A new owner has revised the decade-old plans for the proposed Sterling Ridge project on Cherry Hill Road in the center of Branford. The newest revision to the Planned Development District (PDD) calls for half of the 12 condo units to be designed for people with disabilities.
The development team presented the plans at last week’s meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z), and the public will be able to comment when the hearing reconvenes July 9. Several members of the Branford Historical Society attended the meeting, and one told the Eagle there is concern that proposed blasting could affect the nearby historic Harrison House. The 1724 Harrison House is located at 124 Main St.
The Sterling Ridge project at 26 Cherry Hill Road includes 3.45 acres located between Route 1 and Main Street, on the opposite side of the street from the Canoe Brook Senior Center. According to the town web site, the land was purchased by Alan Genn of Greenwich through his 26 Cherry Hill LLC corporation in August 2014 for $500,000. He is at least the third owner since the Sterling Ridge project was first proposed about 12 years ago.
“The property has some history,” said Attorney Bernard Pellegrino, of the Pellegrino Law Firm in New Haven, who represents the owner. Pellegrino said the owner is seeking to revise the PDD that was initially approved by P&Z in 2005 and modified in 2007. The modified PDD approval remains in effect for another two years. The Inland Wetlands Commission (IWC) approved the PDD in 2008, after the original approval expired.
Housing for Disabled
Pellegrino said the new concept would “provide needed handicapped-accessible housing.”
He said the property contains wetlands in some sections and an elevated area in the middle. Pellegrino said the plans that are in effect now call for renovating the house at 26 Cherry Hill Road and constructing three condo buildings. He said the new proposal calls for subdividing the existing single-family home, and constructing three buildings on the southern half of the property, which would contain 12 condo units. “Fifty percent of the units proposed would be handicapped-assessable with elevators,” he said.
He said there is a significant need for handicapped housing. “We think it’s going to be a significant factor in the marketability of the site,” he said.
Pellegrino said the benefits to the new proposal include: significant reduction in impervious area; eliminating development closest to the wetlands; and decreasing the total development area.
Diana Stricker Photo
Architect Marc Petrin of Petrin/Duane & Associates in Chester, presented conceptual plans for the building. Petrin (pictured above) said the three-level buildings would have garages on the first level and the handicapped units on each end would have garages that can accommodate a handicapped van. Elevators would take residents from the garage to the upper two levels.
“There’s such a need for this. I never thought I would be in a wheelchair,” said Petrin, who was injured in an accident a few years ago.
Diana Stricker Photo
Ellsworth McGuigan, who chairs the P&Z, said the public comment period would be opened at the June 18 meeting. However, he said if anyone couldn’t attend that meeting, they could speak now. No one raised their hand. There seemed to be about 15 people who were there for the Sterling Ridge hearing.
The Long-Proposed Sterling Ridge
The initial Sterling Ridge proposal in 2003 called for construction of condominiums in four buildings, and the demolition of the 1820 Wyllys Russell House at 162 Main St. and the 1928 McCabe House at 26 Cherry Hill Road. There was significant public opposition to the project during public hearings held by P&Z and the IWC.
Martha Bradshaw and Ann Trapasso, members of the Branford Historical Society, spearheaded a campaign in 2003 to save the Russell House. The women presented a petition with more than 600 signatures to the Connecticut Historic Preservation Council in Hartford. The council eventually requested the developer separate the Russell House from the remainder of the project.
Trapasso attended the recent June 4 meeting with her attorney.
After the Wyllys Russell House was divided from the property, it was sold in 2009 to Mike Milles, who restored the building. Click here to read a story about that.
Condo construction on the remainder of the property never materialized, and a new owner purchased the Cherry Hill property in 2007. Shortly after the sale, the approval from the IWC expired. The new owner, John Giordano of Branford, received IWC approval for a revised project in October 2008. He later sold the property.
Another New PDD Near Exit 56?
The developers of a proposed age-restricted housing project will make an informal presentation at the June 18 P&Z meeting. Developers are permitted to make presentations before they submit an official application.
The proposed housing development at 736 E. Main St. would also include adjacent property in North Branford.
The nearly 1-acre parcel at 736 E. Main Street, plus a 6.65-acre parcel at East Main Street Rear in Branford are owned by Anthony LaBella who purchased the land in 2006 for organic farming, a Christmas tree farm, and a farm store. According to Coldwell Banker, those parcels plus an adjoining 8.73 acres in North Branford are currently for sale.
The 736 East Main St. development would be about 1 mile east of the intersection of Route 1 and Leetes Island Road and is not far from the proposed Costco warehouse and seven other commercial buildings.
It would also be near a proposed 64-bed memory care facility for Alzheimer’s patients that is slated for construction at 814 E. Main St. That project has already been approved by P&Z and the IWC.
Indian Neck Garage Turns Restaurant
During a P&Z meeting last month, the commission unanimously approved site plans for a BBQ restaurant at the former Indian Neck Garage on South Montowese Street, and also approved a special exception for off-street parking at the adjacent property. A zoning change was previously approved in March. Click here to read about that.
“The Stand” restaurant is a collaboration between Greg Nobile, the Tony award winning producer; and Eamon Roche, who operates a BBQ catering business in Branford. It would be located across the street from Lenny’s seafood restaurant.
Attorney James Perito, who represents Nobile and Roche, said the plans call for a BBQ restaurant, a farm stand, some limited farming and propane gas sales. The BBQ canteen will operate this summer and fall from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Once the former gas station is remodeled into a casual restaurant and bar, it will be open year-round from 6 a.m. until midnight.
“We don’t anticipate the restaurant’s interior area will be ready for this season,” Perito said.
Engineer Bob Criscuolo said he worked with the DOT to ensure the entrance and exits allowed sufficient sight lines for traffic. The plans already received DOT and IWC approval.
No one spoke at the public hearing except Perry Maresca, who chairs the town’s Economic Development Commission. Maresca spoke in favor of the project and said it will be a welcome addition to the Indian Neck village.
###
