Eleven years ago, we banded together to keep a Costco store from being built on East Main Street near Exit 56. Costco left town.
Now we are gearing up for a similar battle for the same site. This time, BJ’s has an application before the Planning and Zoning Commission for a BJ’s Wholesale Club, a 16-pump gas station, and commercial uses that may include a sit-down restaurant, two quick-serve restaurants with drive-thru lanes, and a strip commercial building with a drive-thru. That’s more than 133,000 square feet of commercial development!
Retail of this size is NOT permitted on this site, which is zoned IG-2, light industrial.
How is BJ’s planning to get around this restriction? By utilizing a provision in the zoning regulations for a Planned Development District (PDD). PDDs basically allow underlying zoning to be overthrown and their approval by the PZC is discretionary, i.e., the Commission is not bound by the normal provisions of the zoning regulations.
We are Branford Citizens for Responsible Development (BCRD), the group that formed to fight Costco. We are opposed to this application for the following reasons:
- It is contrary to the zoning and to the 2019 Town Plan of Conservation and Development.
- Its approval could set a precedent for future similar uses, thus transforming a relatively quiet, low-scale stretch of road into another busy, congested commercial strip.
- It will generate major new traffic on state, local, and side roads.
In short, this oversized development is not good for Branford.
Do you want to help prevent this complex from being built? If so, please do any or all of the following:
- Send a message of opposition to the Planning and Zoning Commission at planningandzoning@branford-ct.gov. Please remember that the Commission members are volunteers and frame your comments accordingly.
- ATTEND THE TWO UPCOMING PUBLIC HEARINGS. The first one, to be held Thursday, October 1 at 7:00 p.m., held by Zoom, will consist of the developer’s presentation.The second, which will provide the opportunity for public comments, is currently scheduled to be held Thursday, October 29 at 6:00 p.m. in person and also by Zoom. We will send you more information as the hearings get closer.
- We are a small, grassroots group, and our efforts, which include hiring an attorney, cost $$. Please send your contributions to BCRD, P.O Box 3353, Branford, CT 06405. (Contributions to BCRD are not tax-deductible.)
