Planning board approves 20-unit 8-30g development at 83 East Rutland Road over resident objections

The Milford Planning and Zoning Board on Oct. 21 voted to approve a 20-unit multifamily development at 83 East Rutland Road under Connecticut General Statute 8-30g, despite extensive public comment opposing the project on traffic, drainage, wildlife and safety grounds.

Attorney Thomas Lynch represented the applicant, 4 Smiles Property LLC (owned by developer Buddy Field), and described the proposal as a townhouse-style complex of 20 units in seven buildings on a parcel just over one acre in the RA zone. The applicant’s site plan showed 51 parking spaces (20 garage spaces, 20 spaces in front of units and 11 visitor spaces) and included six electric-vehicle charging stations to meet a recently revised municipal standard. The applicant submitted an affordability plan that would reserve six units as income-restricted units tied to state median-income thresholds (three at 80% of state median and three at 60%).

The record included multiple technical reviews. Traffic consultant Kermit Hua presented counts (collected October 2024) and forecasted that the development would produce about 10 trips in the morning peak hour and 11 in the afternoon peak hour; he testified both driveways would…