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North Branford P&Z approves temporary contractor yard at 30 Sierra Road, releases long‑standing bonds and continues zoning amendment hearing
Summary
At its April 2 meeting the North Branford Planning & Zoning Commission approved a temporary contractor yard at 30 Sierra Road, voted to release a package of older performance bonds, and continued a public hearing on comprehensive Schedule A zoning text amendments to April 16, 2026.
The North Branford Planning & Zoning Commission on April 2 approved a site plan for a temporary contractor yard and storage area at 30 Sierra Road and voted to release a group of older performance bonds, while continuing a public hearing on broad zoning text amendments to April 16, 2026.
Applicant Robert Miller told the commission he owns 30 Sierra Road and the adjacent 32 Sierra Road and sought permission to add gravel, temporary office and bathroom facilities, storage containers and fenced storage for his fence company. "We're here today seeking approval to turn our vacant land into a temporary shop and laydown area," Miller said, describing shared access through 32 Sierra Road and saying no utilities are currently installed.
Commissioners questioned temporary utilities after the applicant said the proposed electrical service would come in underground and terminate at a temporary pole. Commissioner Bruce Abelson voiced concern that an underground feed could make the installation effectively permanent; town planner David Perkins said permitting and the building official would determine installation requirements.
After discussion, the commission moved and seconded a motion to approve planning and zoning application 2026-330 for a contractor's yard at 30 Sierra Road, owner Robert Miller III; applicant Gateway Fence and Guardrail LLC. The motion, which included the standard conditions read into the record, passed on a 3-0 voice vote.
Later in the meeting the commission voted to release a list of completed bonds held by the town for various projects and addresses (the list was read into the record). Staff were directed to coordinate with the finance office to locate payees for older bonds; commissioners noted several items dated to the 1990s and early 2000s and observed locating some payees may be difficult. One commissioner estimated in discussion that the group might amount to "probably close to 50, 60,000 dollars, maybe?" but the meeting record did not establish a precise aggregate total.
The commission opened a public hearing on application 2026-1, a comprehensive rewrite and reorganization of Schedule A, the table of permitted uses, and changes to restaurant and alcohol regulations. Town planner David Perkins outlined the rewrite and explained the commission had deliberately made some uses subject to special permits to preserve neighbors' opportunities to comment. No members of the public spoke at the hearing. Chair Robert Noack moved to continue the public hearing to April 16, 2026 to give the public additional time to review the materials posted on the town website.
The meeting concluded with updates on the Northford Center traffic-calming and sidewalk study (staff reported about 10% design complete and an informational session with DOT input planned for May) and a short discussion of state housing legislation and its potential implications for local regulations. The commission adjourned at 7:42 p.m.
