Agency defers Big Drive Garden Homes application; approves minutes and honors longtime commissioner

Milford City — The Milford Inland Wetlands Agency heard an update Dec. 17 on a Garden Homes Management proposal for a 76‑unit development on Big Drive but took no action after the city engineer asked for additional plan revisions.

Mary Rose told commissioners that the applicant had received a city‑engineer letter requesting clarifications and that attorney Tom Lynch will work with his team over the holiday. Lynch may not make the Jan. 7 meeting but is expected to have materials ready for the Jan. 21 meeting if necessary. Commissioner Nick Ritchie asked whether the item involved a prior zoning court case; Mary Rose said the earlier zoning matter had gone to the land use court and was approved but the project was not constructed.

Other business: the agency approved the minutes as distributed (motion by Brian Black; second by Nick Ritchie) and the chair recognized Commissioner Steve Munson for 24 years of volunteer service. Commissioners and staff exchanged tributes; Munson reflected on the tenure and the work of the agency.

Next steps: The Big Drive applicant will complete requested revisions; staff expect the application may return to a January meeting depending on the schedule of the applicant and the attorney.