Shopping Plaza, Grocery Store Proposed For Boston Post Road Corridor In Milford

MILFORD, CT — Plans for a new shopping plaza that would include a grocery store, restaurant, and retail space were unanimously approved by the Milford Planning and Zoning Board for properties at 990, 1040, and 1052 Boston Post Road.

The proposal involves redeveloping the former Hooters restaurant site and nearby property associated with the Genesis car dealership. The application includes a zone change, a lot line adjustment, and a special permit with site plan review.

Engineer Luke Morrow, representing the developer, said the project would include a 26,181-square-foot grocery store building and a separate retail building with multiple tenants, including a restaurant. He said the development would replace long-vacant or underused areas and reorganize the site into separate parcels while keeping the properties compliant with zoning rules.

Morrow said the plan would reduce the size of parking areas near neighboring residences and move parking farther away from homes to the north. He also said grading changes would lower parts of the site to help screen the development.

Board members asked questions about traffic, access and construction impacts. Morrow said site access would remain on Boston Post Road and Forest Road, with internal connections allowing vehicles to move between businesses. He said traffic studies showed no major impacts and that deliveries would be designed to avoid Forest Road when possible.

During the public hearing, a resident raised concerns about traffic on Forest Road, calling it already congested and unsafe, particularly for large trucks. Another resident asked about electric vehicle charging stations and suggested adding solar panels to the new buildings.

Morrow said existing EV charging stations at the Genesis dealership would remain and that additional chargers may be added. He said solar panels could be discussed with the property owner.

"This is... putting pretty much empty, vacant property back on the tax rolls, which is a good thing, and the project is good in many ways, another restaurant, a lot of jobs at the grocery store," Chairman Jim Quish said. "We just want to make sure that it doesn't disrupt the neighborhood."

Vice Chairman Robert Satti said he had "mixed feelings" about the project due to the traffic concerns but that overall the usage is "a good thing for the city."

City Planner David Sulkis said while the board can't require that trucks use Boston Post Road instead of Forest Road, they could encourage them to do so.

View the full meeting by clicking here.

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