A decision on the Atlantic Wharf residential and commercial project is due by Feb. 4, but Wilford Avenue residents are still concerned about the increase in traffic, especially when the town’s Community House-Senior Center expansion is added to the mix.
“It’s going to be like a mini-city,” said David Minicozzi, a Wilford Avenue resident. Minicozzi spoke during the second session of the public hearing Thursday night at the Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Commission.
Town Map of Streets
Minicozzi, an attorney, asked about the impact on traffic with both Atlantic Wharf and the proposed new senior center at the Community House, which is about half-a-block away. “I think there needs to be more discussion of the traffic patterns,” he said.
The Atlantic Wharf project would be built on a 7.5 acre complex along the Branford River at the site of the former Atlantic Wire factory. Plans call for 10 buildings—including six that will be residential and commercial; and four that will be only residential. The proposal includes 205 upscale apartments, featuring 30 studio units; 125 one-bedroom units; and 50 two-bedroom units. The developer is Robert H. Smith Jr., the CEO and founder of the Milford-based Metro Star Properties LLC.
P&Z Chair Has A Traffic Report Question
P&Z chair Charles Andres asked if traffic from the town’s proposal for the Community House expansion was factored into the traffic report for Atlantic Wharf.
It was not, said traffic engineer David Sullivan, of Milone & MacBroom, who compiled a peer review of Atlantic Wharf’s traffic report. Sullivan said the Community House plans materialized after the residential project was proposed.
As part of the proposal, the developer is realigning the convoluted intersection with Meadow and Montowese streets and Pine Orchard Road. A portion of Meadow Street from Montowese would be one way going west.
Wilford Avenue residents Robert Costanzo and Maureen Gercken also asked about traffic issues Thursday, especially in relation to the Community House plans.
Wilford Avenue is a one-way residential street leading from Montowese Street to Church Street, exiting almost directly across from the Community House’s Church Street entrance. Wilford Avenue runs parallel to Meadow Street and abuts the 256 Meadow St. site where one of the Atlantic Wharf apartment buildings is proposed.
Wilford Avenue residents initially expressed concerns during public hearings in 2014 when the P&Z was considering Atlantic Wharf’s request for a Master Plan and Planned Development District (PDD). Click here to read about those hearings.
The development team met with Wilford Avenue residents over the summer to address their concerns, and many issues were resolved.
Atlantic Wharf’s PDD and Master Plan were unanimously approved by P&Z in February 2015. Click here to read about that.
Initial plans to renovate and expand the Community House for shared use as a senior center were made public in March 2015. Click here to read about that. Those plans are still in the early stages.
Thursday marked the second and final session of the Atlantic Wharf public hearing regarding the site plans and coastal site plans. The commission is slated to discuss the proposal at the Jan. 21 meeting, and could vote then or at the Feb. 4 meeting.
Most Issues Resolved
L-R: Robert Smith, attorney Greg Muccilli; and David Golebiewski
David S. Golebiewski, president of TPA Design Group in New Haven, said Thursday that Atlantic Wharf’s development team worked with town staff to resolve a number of issues, including landscaping, lighting, stop signs and the parking garage.
Sullivan said the “vast majority” of traffic issues that he raised in the peer review have been addressed.
One of those issues involved whether there would be stop signs or a traffic signal at the proposed new intersection of Pine Orchard Road, Montowese Street and the new road. Sullivan said a traffic signal is not warranted by the state at this time, but might at some future date. The development team provided a layout of what the intersection would be like if a traffic signal is needed. Issues were also resolved about stop signs at other intersections in the project.
A question about access points to the proposed underground parking garage was also discussed. Town Planner Harry Smith asked for an additional access stairway, saying “It’s really a convenience for the public.”
The developers added another stairway as a fourth means of access, but it is listed for emergency use only. Harry Smith said he would prefer those stairs be open at all times.
Developer Robert Smith (pictured) disagreed, saying it’s a management issue and that he would like those stairs to remain emergency-use only at this time. He said the final decision may be up to the town’s fire marshal.
If Atlantic Wharf’s site plans are approved, the first stage would be demolition and cleanup at the dilapidated Atlantic Wire factory. The second stage would be construction of the apartment at 256 Meadow St. which is across from the factory; and the next three stages would include construction of the other nine buildings on the factory site and the new roadway.
Summit Place Decision
In other business, the P&Z may reach a decision Jan. 21 on a proposal by developer Alex Vigliotti to create a zoning map amendment for an Incentive Housing Overlay District (IHOD) at 14, 21 and 22 Summit Place. The plan would include 115 apartment units, of which 20 percent would be for moderate income families, also known as “work force” housing. Click here to read about this project.
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