Costco Files Officials Plans in Branford

It’s official, Costco has submitted plans with the Planning and Zoning Commission to construct a 158,000 square-foot store on 44.7 acres near Exit 56 off Interstate 95, reports the New Haven Register.

According to plans filed with the town, Costco wants to build a 158,070-square-foot building.

The 44-acre parcel includes two existing buildings, a shellfishing processing facility and an industrial warehouse building, but both uses would remain the same, the Register reports.

Costco’s planned development would generate 205 jobs and up to $750,000 in annual tax revenue for Branford.

The applicants are seeking a public hearing March 19.

Read the Register’s full story here.

Opposition to Costco has been building as a group of Stony Creek residents and some local Democrats oppose the plans, the Branford Seven has reported.

RTM members Josh Brooks and Peter Hentschel oppose the Costco plans, the Seven reports.

In December, GOP Branford First Selectman James B. Cosgrove announced that Costco representatives requested a meeting with key town officials to review its plan for the development of an area off Exit 56 as its preferred location for a new Costco store.

In January an email went out to some Branford residents including numerous Democrats entitled “10 Reasons Costco Doesn’t Belong in Branford, the Branford Seven reports.

In the email it states Costco would hurt the town’s economic and that the jobs pay poorly, but the Branford Seven notes Costco is known to have one of the highest wages and benefits for a warehouse club.

Cosgrove has long been a support of developing the Exit 56 corridor, the Seven reports. More than 1,200 people have joined a ‘Bring Costco to Branford’ Facebook page.

Sharon Marie Butterfield wrote on the page, “I would love to have another store to shop at. More jobs for those who need one still.

Tim Stevens wrote I’d like to see Costco and Trader Joe’s in Branford. Super low prices on a wide range of products - but on their own brands.

Read the full Branford Seven article here.

And here is some background about Cosgrove’s announcement about Costco in December

Costco representatives want to pre-review the plan with the Town Engineer, Town Planner and the Director of the Town’s Inland Wetlands and Natural Resources Department, Campbell said in a press release in December.

“We welcome Costco’s interest in helping us grow our tax base through responsible development of areas designated for commercial use,” Cosgrove said in December. “With our residential and personal property grand list contracting, the fairest way to protect taxpayers is sensible growth of our commercial tax base.”

Cosgrove, who openly campaigned last November on his support for a Costco development at Exit 56, reiterated that campaign pledge this week. “If Costco’s preferred site is Exit 56 and if they are willing to work with Town officials to assure a properly permitted project that delivers tangible benefits to taxpayers and consumers,” Cosgrove remarked, “then I remain committed to helping bring this project to completion.”

For its part, Costco is looking forward to being a part of the Branford community. “Branford is a very attractive community for Costco, and a place where we have wanted to locate for some time,” said Jeffrey Brotman, Chairman of the Board of Costco Wholesale in a press release in December. “The Town’s smart approach to commercial development is a great fit for us, and we look forward to giving back through our many employee and community-based programs.”