Storage units coming to west Milford
>Complex planned for lot across from Pine Valley Mill
MILFORD – The Planning Board last week approved a large self-storage complex across from the Pine Valley Mill apartments, despite pleas from an abutter that the plan would "bring ugliness to the back side of Milford."
Karen Legault, of Maple Street, told the board the units would be an eyesore and devalue neighboring properties.
"We are losing the opportunity to find a good fit for the neighborhood," she said.
The use of the property for self-storage had previously been approved by the Zoning Board of Adjustment, and the Planning Board’s role was to examine the site plan to make sure it conforms to zoning regulations.
Board members said self-storage would be a low-use development compared to other possibilities for the lot, which is in the town’s Integrated Industrial-Commercial zone.
Two years ago, a large Dollar General store was proposed there, but the plan never materialized.
Vice Chairman Janet Langdell said the applicant, Matthew Ciardelli and MAC Milford Reality, LCC, has a "very strong track record" for nice, neat developments.
If a proposal satisfies zoning regulations a planning board can’t disallow it, said Paul Amato.
Even if there was no perceived demand for the product or service – for example, if the board thought there are too many pizza shops, or too many drug stores in the area – they can’t say no to a proposal for that reason.
And "the demand for storage is absolutely colossal," board member Susan Robinson told Legault.
The buildings will be in the eastern portion of the lot, and Chad Branon, of Fieldstone Land Consultants, laid out in detail the plans for the 35,400 square foot complex in seven-buildings at 30 Wilton Road. The plans meet the requirements of the state’s Shoreline Water Quality Protection law, he said.
The landowner wants to donate nearby 17.5 acres of riverside land to the town of Milford, and Legault warned that there could be pollutants from a transformer contaminating the property.
Board members said selectmen will have the land inspected before accepting it.