Planning commission sets July 9 hearing for industrial redevelopment at 303 New Britain Road

The Planning and Zoning Commission voted on May 21 to schedule a public hearing for July 9 on a site‑plan application from Braxton Buckway of Berlin Industrial Redevelopment LLC proposing a commercial contractor’s yard and broader industrial redevelopment at 303 New Britain Road in the GI zone.

Commissioners and staff described the project as large in scope: the application materials reference about 420,000 cubic yards of fill across roughly 57 acres and note the site is part of a state DEP pilot program. Commission members said that scale raises potential traffic, environmental and public‑notification implications — including an estimated tens of thousands of truckloads to bring material onto the site and the state’s own 30‑day public‑comment period tied to the DEP filing.

Town planner Moren Joyce told the commission the town must render a decision by July 11 under the site‑plan timetable unless the applicant requests an extension, and that staff uploaded state materials and an environmental fact sheet into the file for commissioners to review. Commissioners discussed whether a special meeting or an applicant extension would be needed to provide adequate public review given the project’s magnitude.

Several commissioners urged the staff and applicant to coordinate notification with the state’s public‑comment timeline so residents will see the notice and have time to participate. Commissioner George Millard asked for clarity about the DEP application status and the timing of the 30‑day public comment window; the commission also discussed the option of asking the applicant for an extension to avoid having to decide the matter at a single hearing when large turnout is likely.

Miss Dorsy made the motion to set a public hearing for July 9; the motion was seconded and carried. Staff indicated the project packet (including the state pilot program description and an environmental fact sheet) is available in commission materials and in paper form at commissioners’ seats.

Next steps: the commission will hold the advertised July 9 public hearing unless the applicant asks for an extension, and staff will continue to circulate state and town materials so residents and commissioners can evaluate traffic, fill logistics and environmental protections ahead of the hearing.