Milford Planning Board Approves Raising Cane's Parking Proposal

MILFORD, CT — The Planning and Zoning Board approved a parking regulation change at its meeting this week that will pave the way for the opening of a Raising Cane's restaurant.

Plans for the restaurant to build a location at the former Milford Bank site at 1455 Boston Post Road previously hit a snag in February when the Planning and Zoning Board narrowly rejected the proposal.

Raising Cane's had sought to make a change to the city's parking regulations, which would have created a specific fast-food category. Some of those on the board who opposed the regulation change said it was too broad and could encompass the vast majority of the city's eateries, many of which would require more parking.

But Raising Cane's recently resubmitted a parking regulation proposal that took into account the board's objections. Among the changes in the new proposal was the addition of language that stated the regulation would only apply to fast-food restaurants with a drive-thru.

Attorney Sara Sharp, representing Raising Cane's, said the restaurant does 80 percent of its business via the drive-thru.

Also, the previously submitted version of the regulations only required one space for every 150 square feet of interior customer seating area. The new proposal calls for one space per 75 square feet of interior space plus one space for every two employees working on the busiest shift.

For Raising Cane's, the new proposal bumps the parking spaces from 11 to 19.

Sharp said the new proposal took into account regulations in surrounding towns.

The board unanimously approved the new parking regulations with an amendment that applied them only to Corridor Design Development District 5, the zone where Raising Cane's intends to set up shop.

Sharp said Raising Cane's will submit a site plan to the city in the coming months.

If Raising Cane's does come to Milford, it would be the fourth location of the popular and expanding fried chicken restaurant in the state. A location opened in Enfield in February, and two others are planned for Simsbury and Wethersfield.

See related: Raising Cane's To Resubmit Plans For Milford Restaurant: Report