More Public Hearings Scheduled for Costco Plans

A final decision on whether the Planning and Zoning Board will approve plans to construct a 158,000 square-foot Costco store on 44.7 acres near Exit 56 off Interstate 95, is still weeks away, officials said.

A third public hearing was held on the issue Thursday night and another one will be held on May 7, the New Haven Register.

Residents, who oppose the proposed location of a Costco’s have submitted a petition to act as an intervenor party in the public hearing process, which means they can cross-examine and rebut witnesses testimony, the Register reports. The residents have expressed environmental concerns. 

The PZB did not address the residents request for intervenor status Thursday night.

Costco officials again stated that their proposed development would generate between $650,000 to $700,000 in tax revenue for Branford, and that figure includes the $200,000 the development would cost the town, the Register reports.

Additionally, the plans are projected to add 205 new jobs in town. But despite those developments many in Branford are unconvinced and spoke in opposition to a proposed Costco in town, the New Haven Register reports.

Town officials said last month they have received 144 letters with 92 in support of a Costco and 51 against.

A group called Branford Citizens for Responsible Development last month addressed the Planning and Zoning Board expressing traffic concerns, the Register reports. One speaker noted that the Milford Costco had 192 calls for service which will drain town services.

But another speaker had indicated that Branford really wants a Costco because the Facebook page called “Bring Costco to Branford Now” has almost 2,000 likes.

Costco officials say if they receive approval it will take one year of construction time for the project to be completed.

Read the full New Haven Register story here.

Project details

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, the New Haven Register has reported.

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.

Read the Register’s full story here.