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Costco is a Go in Branford

The debate is over: Costco is a "go" in Branford.

By a 3-2 majority vote last night, Branford's Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) approved a master plan for a "discount club" Planned Development District (PDD) on 44 acres of land off I-95 Exit 56. While the final language doesn't specify that the site will soon be home to a Costco Wholesale Club, that's been the message received and discussed by residents and local leaders who passionately supported or opposed the PDD for the past six months.

The PDD, submitted in February by Costco Wholesale Corp., was voted in on July 9 with contingencies and provisions built in by members of the PZC and town staff.  The decision was originally expected in June but revisions were not completed in time and the vote had to wait until last night. At that point, PZC chairman Ellsworth McGuigan wasted no time in moving the item to the top of the agenda. McGuigan was joined by commissioners Charles "Chuck" Andres and Marcia Palluzzi in voting to approve;  while commissioners John Lust and Joe Chadwick voted against.

"I'm always a little more comfortable if I have a majority vote of the commission, but something so controversial, we can't always agree on that," said McGuigan following the vote. The controversial call was McGuigan's final vote with the PZC, as he retired, as expected, from more than 25 years on the commission immediately following the decision.

Branford First Selectman James B. Cosgrove attended last night's meeting to hear the vote. Cosgrove supported Costco at Exit 56 as part of his successful 2013 run for First Selectman. In late 2014 announced he would meet with Costco officials for a preliminary discussion. After that point, Cosgrove gave no further public input on the matter.

"My position has been since Day One that we should be not an obstacle to development; and that I know my role," said Cosgrove last night. "I was welcoming Costco to come into town (but) once a formal application was submitted, now that decision lies with the land use departments and it's really in their hands at that point."

After last night's vote, Cosgrove said he was happy with the outcome and appreciated the long process the PZC underwent to reach its decision.

"I respected the commission's role," said Cosgrove. "The process they went through was a long process, but it was necessary to hear all the facts and the presentation and I think they took their time to deliberate and be sure their motion was appropriate and defensible; and I'm happy with the outcome and to see it move forward."

As part of the approved application, the PZC is granting Costco a special exception to allow large retail entity (more than 3,000 square feet) into a light industrial zone with small retail options. Costco's plan calls for building a 160,000 square-square foot discount club and gas station as part of its Phase One development, followed by Phase Two development of seven additional buildings. While those building uses are as yet unannounced, they will be restricted to what's listed in the PDD, including restaurant (table and drive-through), retail, financial, medical offices, commercial offices, and bio-tech. The entire resolution, with the final application language approved by the PZC appears with this story.

Costco's PDD approval becomes effective as of July 30 and the next stage involves Costco returning with site plans for review by the town's Inland Wetlands Agency and PZC (both to include public hearings).  In making its decision last night, the PZC took into consideration about a dozen hours of input from a four-part public hearing with much discussion against and in favor of the plan. The Costco proposal also generated letters to the PZC, a petition with hundreds of signers against, and at least two on-line surveys showing hundreds in favor. It also generated two communities of interest with representation both online and at the public hearings; including proponent "Bring Costco to Branford Now" and opponent "Branford Citizens for Responsible Development."

Zip06 asked Cosgrove if he felt the Costco at Exit 56 issue had divided the town.

"No I don't think so. I think the majority from (what) I heard, are in favor of the development," Cosgrove answered, adding, "...the purpose of the zoning is to make sure it's an appropriate development, and I think what you heard tonight --  and again, there's a further process to go through, as we all know, and they'll ensure that it's an appropriate development. I think as it goes through the process and people have a better understanding of what will actually be developed out there, and the manner it will be developed, I think a lot of the concerns that we heard will be put to ease."

See www.zip06.com/branford (search Costco) for coverage on PZC's Costco public hearings and commission discussions.