Massive Commercial Development Eyed In Branford

BRANFORD, CT — A new large-scale development is being proposed which would be anchored by a BJ’s Wholesale Club.

The Planning & Zoning Commission at its meeting July 9 hosted an informal discussion about plans for property at 569 & 573 East Main St.

The land is currently vacant and undeveloped. The property at 569 East Main is about 16 acres, while 573 East Main has 21 acres, according to town records.

The plan is for the creation of a planned development district, with the wholesale club, a gas station, sit-down restaurant, two quick-serve restaurants with a drive-thru, and a strip commercial building with a drive-thru at the end, town records show.

At the meeting, the commission heard from land use Attorney Marjorie Shansky, who represents the developer, Sound Development Group LLC, based in Trumbull.

Leaders from Sound Development, and representatives from BJ’s Wholesale Club and engineering firms were also in attendance.

Officials did not identify any additional prospective tenants for the site.

Currently, the nearest BJ’s Wholesale Club is in North Haven. The Massachusetts-based company sells an array of food, household items, clothing, technology and gas. According to its website, it currently operates 267 clubs and 206 BJ's Gas locations in 22 states.

Any project would have to secure all necessary approvals from local land use boards before it could proceed.

Over the years, there have been proposals put forward to develop the property which never came to fruition, including for a Costco.

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