Milford Board Takes Action On Softball Facility, Martial Arts Academy Proposals

MILFORD, CT — The Milford Planning and Zoning Board approved several community-focused proposals during its Tuesday meeting, including a softball training facility and a martial arts academy. The board also postponed discussion on an affordable housing item.

A special exception was unanimously granted for a new indoor softball batting cage facility at 674 Naugatuck Ave. The 6,200-square-foot space will be used for team practices, private lessons and small clinics, with scheduling handled through an online reservation system to control attendance and parking.

The applicant said the facility will typically host 10 to 12 participants at a time, with most users dropped off rather than remaining on-site. A local resident speaking in favor of the project called it a “great opportunity for the kids” and praised the reuse of an older building.

The board also approved a martial arts training facility at 333 Quarry Road. The 4,600-square-foot academy will focus heavily on youth programming, with applicants saying the majority of instruction will be for children.

Representatives said the program will emphasize discipline, leadership and personal development through Brazilian jiu-jitsu, while also offering some adult classes. Board members expressed support for the community benefits, particularly for young people, and cited the structured, class-based nature of the use when discussing parking impacts.

Parking was a central topic for the Quarry Road proposal, as the site already hosts multiple gym-style tenants. A traffic study and on-site observations suggested demand would remain manageable, and the board ultimately agreed the shared parking arrangement was sufficient.

An affordable housing-related item scheduled for the meeting was postponed at the applicant’s request and was not discussed.

Plans call for 11 units of affordable housing to be constructed at 261 Meadowside Road. The topic will be on the agenda for the board's April 21 meeting.

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