With Permission
A proposed “live, work and play” development in the heart of Branford will be discussed during a public hearing at the Dec. 4 meeting of Branford’s Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Commission. Plans call for creating the upscale Atlantic Wharf project on the former Atlantic Wire property.
Developer Robert H. Smith Jr., CEO and founder of the Milford-based Metro Star Properties LLC, is hoping to develop the 7.5 acre properties that sit along the Branford River.
With Permission
The new plans call for the construction of 205 apartments in 10 buildings, including 123 one-bedroom units; 50 two bedroom units; and 32 studio apartments. In addition, there will be nearly 10,000 square feet of restaurant space and 11,560 square-feet of retail or office space. The dining and retail establishments would be located in several buildings, with the largest retail space of about 4,000 square feet. There are also plans for a parking garage. Commercial development will be located on Meadow and Montowese Streets.
Smith made an informal presentation in June, saying the development would become “a place to live, work and play.” He said a key appeal of the upscale apartments would be their close proximity to the Town Center, the Shoreline East train station, and the Branford River. Click here to read that story.
The new Master Plans were delivered to the P&Z Department last week, and the commission set the date for the hearing.
The proposal calls for tearing down the polluted industrial buildings at the corner of Meadow and Montowese streets. The developer also plans to realign the convoluted intersection of Meadow, Montowese and Pine Orchard Road, which has been a goal of town officials for years.
According to a proposed site plan, motorists will enter a new road to be constructed inside the development that will link Meadow Street with Montowese Street and flow directly onto Pine Orchard Road.
With Permission
The properties are zoned industrial, but much of the surrounding area is zoned restricted business or residential. The developer will be requesting the establishment of a Planned Development District for the Atlantic Wharf proposal. The land is in three separate lots—the main property at 1 Church St. is 5.19 acres; a lot across the street at 256 Meadow St. is 1.19 acres; and a lot at Rear Meadow is 1.27 acres.
Developers in June said they had been in discussions with town officials for several months, spanning both the Unk DaRos and the James Cosgrove administrations.
At the initial presentation in June, P&Z chairman Ellsworth McGuigan said it was the largest project he’s seen in his 25-plus years with the commission.
Smith has about 30 years experience as a developer, and has specialized in downtown locations such as the Schooner Wharf and Metro Point projects in Milford. The Schooner Wharf project, which is similar to the one proposed for Branford, was a former factory that was torn down and replaced by apartments, retail and restaurants.
Polluted Industrial Site
Sam Stricker Photo
Smith told the P&Z in June that the former industrial site needs “significant environmental clean-up” and remediation.
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. Click here to read about a plea in the case.
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.
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I like the idea of the project, however, given how low that area is and its proximity to water, what are the developers doing as far as eventual sea rise? During the hurricanes, wasn't that part of Branford inundated with water surge? I'd like to see those townhouses raised up about 10 feet.