Milford board approves nine‑unit 8‑30g housing at 294 High Street

The Milford Planning and Zoning Board on Nov. 5 approved a site plan under Connecticut General Statutes §8‑30g for a nine‑unit multifamily development at 294 High Street proposed by High Street Properties LLC.

Attorney Thomas Lynch, representing the applicant, said the development would replace the existing dwelling on the parcel and that three of the nine units would be designated as affordable under the 30% set‑aside formula in §8‑30g. The board closed the continued public hearing and approved the application by voice roll‑call after a motion by Mister Agnes and a second from Mister Anderson.

A traffic study presented by engineer Steve Ullman of Alfred Ganesh & Company reported the project would generate an estimated nine daily vehicle trips, with four trips during the morning peak hour (one entering, three exiting) and five trips during the evening peak hour (three entering, two exiting). Ullman said machine counts and turning‑movement counts were taken at nearby intersections, and a three‑year crash review (Jan. 1, 2022–Dec. 31, 2024) recorded 50 crashes on High Street between the West Main and Boston Post Road intersections (23 at West Main, four between Main and Boston Post Road, and 23 at Boston Post Road). He testified that there were no recurring crash patterns that would indicate the need for geometric roadway changes related to the site.

Ullman described measured sight distances from the proposed single driveway as approximately 375 feet to the north (limited by a vertical curve) and about 175 feet to the south, which reaches the all‑way stop at West Main Street. Using Synchro software with Highway Capacity Manual methodology, the consultant modeled 2026 no‑build and build conditions: both intersections were forecast to operate at level‑of‑service C or better under no‑build conditions. With the development added, High Street at West Main was predicted to move from LOS C to LOS D in the morning peak, an increase the consultant quantified as about 0.8 seconds of delay per vehicle; the site driveway itself was modeled at LOS B throughout the day. Ullman said those changes would not materially impair traffic operations on the adjacent network.

Board members asked about on‑site traffic controls and sight‑line maintenance. Ullman and site planner Ron Wassmer said the proposal includes standard pavement markings (striping and a stop bar at the driveway) and that landscaping adjustments would be made to preserve sight lines; they said a nearby shade tree previously noted by the board would be moved onto applicant property so it would not block visibility within the city right‑of‑way.

The applicant's site plan calls for one parking space per unit and an additional 11 off‑unit spaces (20 spaces total). The applicant also described on‑site stormwater management: a series of subsurface infiltration galleries and water‑quality chambers are proposed to collect runoff from parking areas and infiltrate it on site rather than discharge to the municipal storm system.

During public comment, Jamie Rude (141 West Main St.) urged approval, said crashes at the West Main/High Street intersection had declined since the installation of a four‑way stop, and asked whether the units would be affordable. Lynch and staff confirmed the project is being submitted under CGS §8‑30g with a 30% affordable set‑aside; the three affordable units were reiterated by the applicant during the motion to approve.

The motion to approve was made by Mister Agnes and seconded by Mister Anderson. Board members Anderson, Kollegian, Macchio, Mortimer, Satti and Chairman Quish voiced support when called; the chair announced the motion passed and wished the applicant luck with the project.

The decision, as presented and voted on Nov. 5, authorizes the site plan review approval under the standards and constraints of CGS §8‑30g; no further conditions, amendments or specific implementation deadlines were announced at the hearing.