It's Back? Costco Once Again Eyeing Land In Branford

By Jack Kramer, Correspondent

BRANFORD, CT – Rumors are circulating around town that there is a renewed effort to build a Costco in town. This effort, however, is eyeing a large plot of land off of Exit 54 near the Branford/North Branford town lines, not the original site off of Exit 56.

Town officials aren’t commenting – in fact a request for comment by First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove wasn’t returned.

The source said the land being looked at is currently zoned residential, so a zone change would be necessary before Costco or any retail/industrial complex could be built.

But the rumors are circulating. This week another publication, Branford Seven reported that Cosgrove has been in regular contact with Costco officials about a second effort to build a store in town.

Earlier this year, Costco had notified town officials it was no longer pursuing plans to build a 158,000-square-foot store near Exit 56 off Interstate 95.

Costco sought to construct a 158,070-square-foot main clubhouse facility on 23.43 acres near Exit 56 off Interstate 95. The 44.7-acre lot borders a long stretch of East Main Street to the north, a section of East Industrial Road to the south, and a portion of Leetes Island Road to the west.

The entire development was expected to generate roughly $800,000 in real estate and personal property taxes. While the proposal was set to increase the town’s tax base, it was also expected to create approximately 205 new jobs.

But in July of this year, the Zoning Commission extended the two year deadline for Costco to apply for a site plan by another year.