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Berlin planners postpone public hearing on 303 New Britain Road redevelopment after notice dispute
Summary
The Berlin Planning and Zoning Commission agreed July 9 to postpone opening the public hearing on a proposed industrial redevelopment at 303 New Britain Road after questions about a missing public‑hearing sign; the developer agreed to an extension in writing and the hearing was rescheduled for July 23, 2026.
The Berlin Planning and Zoning Commission on July 9 postponed opening the public hearing for a proposed industrial redevelopment and commercial contractor’s yard at 303 New Britain Road after staff and commissioners raised concerns that the required public‑hearing sign had been reported missing.
Counsel for the commission, Jennifer Coppola, said staff had confirmed the applicant met the statutory notice requirements and that the sign had been placed in a timely fashion: “They placed the sign in accordance with the regulation,” she said. Staff also confirmed the required newspaper notices were published on the dates listed in the legal notice.
Mike Lars, senior vice president of Industrial Development Advantage, which said it owns the Berlin Industrial Redevelopment LLC applicant, told the commission the developer did not intend to exploit a technicality and offered to delay the hearing and leave new signage in place for additional days. “I’m happy to go through and spend the time, take it a little additional time here to make sure next time, sign is used that hooks… I’ll drive out every day,” Lars said.
Staff read the formal notice for the application earlier in the meeting. The notice identified Braxton Buckway/Berlin Industrial Redevelopment LLC and said the proposal includes importation of fill under Connecticut’s large‑scale beneficial filling pilot program for properties in the GI zone, and directed interested parties to planning office materials.
After discussion of statutory deadlines and public‑notice practice, the commission voted to postpone opening the public hearing until July 23, 2026. Staff indicated the applicant must provide any statutory extension in writing so the commission may continue deliberations beyond the 65‑day decision period.
Commissioners also asked staff to make application materials and prior environmental and brownfield reports available to the public and encouraged the applicant to maintain visible signage during the continued notification period. The commission did not take a final vote on the project at the July 9 meeting; the hearing will resume on July 23.
