With Permission
Map shows business and industry zones.
Branford needs to promote business and increase tourism, according to discussions about the town’s Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD). However, one of the main necessities is a transit shuttle to link popular venues and neighborhoods.
Wednesday’s meeting of the POCD Steering Committee centered around economic development strategies related to business and the economy. About 25 people attended the session, which was held at 4:30 p.m. at Canoe Brook Senior Center. The next meeting will be at the same time and location on Feb. 7 when infrastructure will be discussed. In addition, the Steering Committee is asking residents to participate in the Online POCD Survey, which can be found on the town’s website.
Town Center
Norbert Church, chair of the Town Center Revitalization Review Board (TCRRB), summed it up when he said, “There’s a lot happening in our district.” He mentioned the proposed Atlantic Wharf project, which includes upscale apartments and retail; and the proposed boutique hotel near the Stony Creek Brewery. He also talked about the addition to the Blackstone Memorial Library; the expansion and renovation of the Senior Center/Community House; and the proposed “round-about” for traffic on Main Street.
Church said one of the goals of the TCRRB is “making the downtown area more walkable.” He said existing sidewalks need to be connected to new ones throughout the Village District, which extends from the area near the “pretzel” (at Exit 53) all the way to Branford High School.
Diana Stricker Photo
Steering Committee with Terry Elton speaking.
Terry Elton (pictured), Director of Economic Development, spoke on behalf of the Economic Development Commission. He said there ongoing efforts to stimulate the economy and tourism. New proposals include wayfaring signs in the Town Center and throughout Branford; and a transit shuttle to link tourist venues and major points of interest.
Mike Calter, a member of Branford’s Housing Authority, asked if the Parkside Village affordable housing complex on South Montowese Street could be included in the proposed transit loop. He said the two complexes are located adjacent to Foote Park and Sliney Park, and on the route to restaurants in the Indian Neck neighborhood.
One new Branford resident suggested eliminating vehicle traffic in the Town Center to make it more walkable.
Stony Creek Concerns
Greg Ames, chair of the Stony Creek Village District Architectural Review Board, said the Village District was created out of a recommendation from the 2008 POCD. “Things do happen as a result of the plan,” he said.
Ames said there are a number of successful small businesses in the village, but that parking is a problem. “Parking needs are unusual in Stony Creek, as everyone knows,” he said. Ames cited the popularity of tour boats to the Thimble Islands, the Stony Creek Museum, and the proposed opening of the Legacy Theatre.
Ames said a transit loop could reduce parking problems and traffic congestion, especially in summer months.
Septic Systems and Development in Stony Creek
Michael Pascucilla, director of the East Shore Health Department, spoke about the effects of climate change. “The tide is rising and we have to think about development in the future.”
Pascucilla said one concern is what could happen if septic systems malfunction because of high tides and ground water leading to Long Island Sound becomes polluted. He talked about the lack of municipal sewer lines in Stony Creek and the dependence on septic systems. Some houses in Short Beach also rely on septic systems.
Peter Hentschel, a member of the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) from Stony Creek, also spoke about the potential problem with sea level rise and septic systems. He said villagers don’t want municipal sewer lines because they fear that will lead to more development. He said perhaps there could be an overlay zoning district that would preclude additional development if Stony Creekers agree to municipal sewer lines.
Hentschel, an architect, recommended establishing an Environmental Sustainability Commission to look at the multiple issues of climate change and rising tides throughout town.
Transit Oriented Development
Glenn Chalder of Planimetrics, the consulting firm hired to oversee the POCD updating process, said transit opportunities were discussed at length during the recent Transit Oriented Development (TOD) study. Recommendations from that study will be incorporated into the POCD. The study looked at development opportunities in a half-mile radius of the Shoreline East Train Station, including the area along the Branford River. One of the key suggestions was a transit loop to link the train station to other locations.
“We’re trying to find way of keeping Branford vibrant,” Chalder said.
Business Development
Chalder said it’s important to promote economic development and support existing businesses; and to increase targeted industry, bioscience, and tourism.
He said Exit 53 provides an opportunity for development, but also a challenge because the I‑95 exit is only a partial interchange. There is no southbound exit on I‑95.
Chalder said discussions about Exit 56, which in his view has the largest potential for future development, will be held at future POCD meetings.
Janet Riesman, who owns property at Exit 56, said there has been a liberal overuse of special exceptions and variances and too many Planned Development Districts (PDD’s). She urged the town to take the POCD seriously and said that “more careful development is possible.”
The session was taped by BCTV.
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I would like to clarify what was reported about my statement to the POCD Steering Committee regarding possible future sewers in Stony Creek:
"Stony Creek contains about 95% of all the septic systems in town. The Village of Stony Creek has classically been very protective of the Zoning limitations on development imposed by our lack of sewers, and therefore has been vehemently against the installation of sewers. <br /> However, as sea levels rise our village's systems will become increasingly vulnerable to tidal flooding, and the Village may be the future target of State DEEP efforts pushing for the installation of a bona fide sewer system. <br />I was NOT proposing that sewers be installed in Stony Creek IN RETURN for a Zoning overlay precluding sewer related development. I was suggesting that eventually sewers may be mandated by DEEP due to sea level rise and that a current overlay amendment might allay future resistance to that possibility.
What I said was:
If it weren't for concerns about development, most residents would probably welcome sewers, especially since that would allow greater flexibility in making residential repairs and alterations. <br />
As a possible solution, the POCD should consider recommending that the PZC consider the adoption of an overlay provision for SC which would preclude any of the development advantages brought by sewers within the boundaries of the Village. If this constraint was to be put in place now the Village might in the future see the benefits of sewers as one response to sea level rise."<br />Peter Hentschel, District 2 RTM Representative