AAA Gives Up On Original Milford Site, Finds New Location

UPDATE: The Milford Mirror reports that AAA Northeast, Inc. has withdrawn its plan to purchase land on Rowe Avenue for a regional fleet service center. AAA has secured another site in Milford but isn't saying where currently, the Milford Mirror reports.

The new site isn't in a residential neighborhood and includes a building already, officials told the Mirror. Local residents and some officials raised concerns about the Rowe Avenue parcel.

ORIGINAL STORY: MILFORD, CT — AAA Northeast, Inc.'s hope to construct a "regional fleet service center with offices" on Rowe Avenue, which would lead to the hiring of 123 employees, hasn't been as easy as the company may have first thought.

The company wants to build a 11,340-square-foot facility and a warehouse as part of the project. The facility would be used to service AAA vehicles along with other operations. The development would include 146 parking spaces.

AAA officials need the Board of Aldermen to approve abandonment of a portion of Williams Street which is controlled by the city in order to make the development proceed. But several neighbors and some aldermen raised concerns and have AAA officials to work with concerned residents. A vote on AAA's request was postponed due to a bevy of concerns from members of the Board of Aldermen.

Mark Shaw, Board Chairman, AAA Northeast, stated he is involved with the opening of the Milford AAA location. He stated that AAA's have consolidated with there being over 6,000,000 members in Shaw discussed the difficulties in find companies to provided services and need for AAA to provide those services.

Mark Vasilescu, of Munston Street, said there are many other areas in Milford with easy access to 1-95. He further stated that drivers will not just use Rowe Avenue and that Munson Avenue is used as a cut-through all the time. He does not feel it will be safe with the AAA building.

Alderman Veccharelli stated he spoke with several people including Attorney Knott. He stated he thought if the fence was moved further into the property and carried over through the portion of William Street to be abandoned that this might make everyone happy.

Ald. Golden stated she meet with neighbors together with Ald. Grant and Justin Rosen and they
walked the property. She stated this is a dumping ground and it is close to the neighborhood. She
further stated the neighbors are concerned about noise and light pollution.

Ald. Grant thanked the residents for speaking during the public hearing. He further stated he
appreciates the idea of moving the fence 30 feet into the property. Ald. Grant said he would like to
see the property developed with trees and more of a buffer. He further stated he cannot support this request as there is a quality of live and public health issue.

Ald. Vitali stated he took a ride by the property and asked if they would be willing to negotiate. He
feels AAA needs to sit down with the neighbors and discuss what would be agreeable to all parties.
He further stated he does not see this being voted on favorably as presented.

Ald. Anderson thanked the residents for coming out to speak. He stated he noticed that Munson
Street is a pass-through. He asked if AAA had an idling policy and stated he would like to see a copy as well as make it available to the residents. He asked how many bays are planned and what the training bay will be used for.

Mark Shaw stated there are 4 bays, 1 used only for training. He also stated that the bay doors will be closed and that AAA makes every attempt to be as green as possible.

Ald. Anderson stated he is not prepared to vote tonight and would like to have a tour of the property and speak with the neighbors.

Ald. German asked if the parking spaces were the minimum required for the size of the building.
Attorney Knott stated there are more and they are needed for the number of vehicles. He further
stated that spaces in parking lot A extend beyond the area Ald. Veccharelli discussed and that 10
spaces could be eliminated to create additional buffer space.

Ald. German asked about trees. Attorney Knott stated he was discussing proposed landscaping at the end of William Street. Ald. Giannattasio stated he is not sure this is the best place for AAA based on neighbors comments. He commented on the parking and asked how vehicles will get out.

Mark Shaw stated the stacked parking is for vehicles not in service. Ald. Giannattasio stated something is not adding up, if customer vehicles cannot be fixed in the field they will be towed to this service center.

Mark Shaw stated the center is for AAA only and customers' vehicles will be towed to an offsite service center of the customer's choice. Ald. Giannattasio asked if AAA was getting in the towing business. Mark Shaw stated they are already in the towing business.

Ald. Giannattasio asked for an explanation of the service bays. Mark Shaw stated they are for servicing and maintaining fleet vehicles. Ald. Giannattasio stated there is a lot going on and if AAA is not willing to decrease the size it will be problematic and a nuisance to the neighborhood.

Ald. Sutton asked what vehicle would be serviced at the location. Mark Shaw stated only the vehicles assigned to this location.

Ald. Veccharrelli stated AAA needs to go back and review what can be left for trees. He stated that
someone else could come in a build as of right on the property and the neighbors would be less
happy than if AAA were to build. He Suggested AAA and the neighbors come up with a workable
solution. Ald. Golden stated she would like to be on record as against this request.

Ald. Fortunati stated she is not prepared to vote this evening. She further stated there needs to be
communication between AAA and the neighbors. Ald. Fortunati asked for a policy to restrict vehicles on Munson Street.

Ald. Vitali stated there needs to be negotiations and he would like to see a new site plan with
adjustments and input from the neighbors. Ald. Vitali and Ald. Veccharelli made and seconded a motion to postpone the item.