Milford Still Weighing Whether To Approve Mall's Major Proposal

Milford CT

28 September, 2021

10:23 AM

Description

MILFORD, CT — The Planning and Zoning Board must vote on whether to allow a regulation change pitched by owners of the Connecticut Post Mall by Nov. 17. The PZB discussed the proposed regulation change at its meeting held last week, but no vote was taken. If the regulation change is approved, it would allow for a major reconfiguration of the mall including the development of nearly 300 apartments on the property. Mall owners have said the regulation change is desperately needed as malls across the country are floundering. The Connecticut Post Mall is the state's largest mall and the CT Post Mall is Milford's No. 1 taxpayer. Attorney John Knuff, who represents the mall, said the CT Post is "gladly shouldering new obligations without requesting any financial relief from the City of Milford." Mall owners have said that they have a multiphase redevelopment plan for the site and it begins at the former Sears site, and would include 300 apartments. Mall owners revealed they recently committed to a 10-year renewal with Dick's Sporting Goods store to further solidify that end of the mall with the main idea being reinvigorating the malland to shrink it to a size that can sustained. There have been six new revisions to the original proposal, which dates back to 2020: Multifamily residential in mixed-use buildingsPlaza area required with multifamily area featuring landscape and hardscapeMixed-use building with multifamily must be directly adjacent to the mallHigh quality pedestrian-friendly design with significant building transparencySustainability principlesExpanded list of desirable special permit uses Mall officials have shown renderings of the plaza design that would be the new anchor for a modern park-like setting activated by music, art-walks, performances, and other attractions drawn from the local arts and educational community. Mall owners have also said the goal would also be to attract office, research, and medical uses in addition to the retail and restaurants currently there. Plans also call for incorporation of outdoor dining for all types of eateries, the addition of new uses including educational uses ranging from all types of schools to daycares, libraries or other community/public buildings, innovation-incubator type uses that might require light, enclosed, indoor manufacturing or assembly, and planned elderly community use.