Land use/development

Branford citizens care about improving the overall quality of life in our town. We are now almost fully developed and many older retail, commercial and industrial sites are not being put to the best use. It is also clear that future development plans must carefully consider impacts on traffic and demands for additional utility infrastructure and municipal services.

In November 2008, the Planning and Zoning Commission adopted the latest ten-year revision of Branford's Plan of Conservation and Development. Almost 400 Branford residents contributed to the new Plan by presenting ideas and concerns through public meetings and surveys conducted over more than a year. The Plan promotes development balanced with open space and historic preservation. It also seeks to reinvigorate "brownfields," old factory or industrial sites such as the Atlantic Wire complex that are now vacant and awaiting new opportunities.

We are committed to using the Plan of Conservation and Development as the guide for our town's growth in the next decade. We support the Plan's call to strengthen our Town Center, promote transportation alternatives to automobiles and enhance housing diversity, especially for our growing senior community. The recent Founders Village agreement meets all these goals by providing additional housing for our seniors in the Town Center while also preserving more than seven acres of open space for a natural retreat just a short walk from The Green. When completed, Founders Village will compliment our very successful Rosenthal Gardens that provides affordable senior housing in one of the grand old houses of our Town Center and restores a beautiful garden for the enjoyment of residents and the community.

Working with our state and federal representatives and after 16 years of effort, we have finally made upgrading the Amtrak bridge over Route 1 a reality. Once completed, the project will improve traffic safety and flow on West Main St. and allow the old Cherry Hill retail and commercial site to be redeveloped in a manner that enhances this gateway to Branford's center while also increasing our tax base.