Milford wetland agency approves warehouse redevelopment at 303–336 Subway with conditions

The Milford Inland Wetland Agency on Jan. 15 approved application IW240091, allowing the redevelopment of properties at 303 and 336 Subway from two office buildings to a single warehouse and office complex, with conditions intended to protect adjacent wetlands.

The agency approved the proposal after presentations from the applicant and consultants and a review of site plans and memos from city staff. Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the permit on the condition that the applicant submit required construction and stormwater plans, install erosion- and sediment-control measures during construction, place educational wetland signage around the detention basin, and obtain the city engineer’s final sign-off before bond release.

The project team — represented at the meeting by applicant Rob Cinto, project attorney Kevin Krsatin, wetland scientist Bill Kenny of William Kenny Associates, and engineer Manny Silva of Rose Tiso & Company LLC — described the site as about 12.5 acres with existing pavement and two office buildings. Bill Kenny said the plan locates the new warehouse and most new construction outside the wetland areas and includes a subsurface infiltration system and a “treatment-train” of catch basins, hydrodynamic separators and underground chambers to manage stormwater and remove coarse and fine pollutants. Kenny, who identified himself as a professional wetland scientist, concluded that “this proposal will not hurt the wetlands” if the proposed controls are implemented and maintained.

Kenny and Silva told commissioners the site’s sandy, gravelly soils provide good infiltration, lowering the risk of erosion. The applicant acknowledged nearby wetland vegetation issues — notably invasive Phragmites in the stormwater basin — and proposed invasive control and native-plant restoration around the basin and in forested buffer areas.

Commissioners pressed for construction protections and public education. One commissioner asked whether signage would be placed to mark the detention basin and alert the public that it is a regulated wetland; the applicant and staff agreed to add educational wetland signage as a condition. The board also required documentation, including a spill-prevention plan, a stormwater maintenance plan, a bond calculation for construction controls, inspection logs signed weekly and within 48 hours after precipitation events, and an engineer’s certification that the completed project meets the approved design before any bond release.

Mary Rose, Milford staff, read the agency’s motion into the record. The motion approved the plans listed as regulatory submissions by Rose Tiso & Company LLC, with the erosion-control plan revised 01/15/25, and the planting plan by William Kenny Associates dated 01/15/25. The permit was issued Jan. 15, 2025, and, according to the motion, expires Jan. 15, 2030 unless otherwise provided by statute.

Roll-call votes were recorded as aye from Daniel Beddicker; Brian Black; Jim Connors; Matt Connors; Steve Munson; Nick Ritchie; Julie Valvo; Bridal Hagman (chair); and Brenda Magnan. The motion carried unanimously.

The approval includes specific implementation requirements: the permittee must submit a construction plan, stormwater management plan, spill-prevention and cleanup plan, a stormwater system maintenance plan, mitigation and construction bond calculations, and weekly erosion-control inspection logs. The city engineer must review and approve final plans; stormwater treatment must be installed as shown on the approved plans unless written changes are approved; wetland boundary markers and planting as shown must be installed; and notification language must be included on the as-built to inform property owners that MIWA permits are required for work in regulated areas.

The applicant team acknowledged plans to remove an existing pedestrian bridge; commissioners asked that removal be handled so it does not harm the wetlands. The applicant later confirmed removal would be performed with a crane to avoid impact.

The board’s action concludes the agency’s review of IW240091 for now; permit issuance is conditioned on the required documentation and city engineer approval noted above.