Chase bank proposes retrofit at Big Y plaza; P&Z asks design tweaks and tables site plan to July 9
June 05, 2026 | North Branford, South Central Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
Chase bank’s applicant team presented a site-plan application on June 4 to retrofit the former TD Bank pad at 1289 Foxon Road in the Big Y shopping center. The application covers façade changes, interior retrofit, limited site work including a mill-and-pave of the parking surface, ADA upgrades to stalls and ramps, replacement/relocation of a light pole that interferes with a sidewalk, six new downward-facing LED light fixtures for security, and modest landscaping around the building.
Matthew (engineer for the applicant) and architect Richard (last name in transcript given as "Manip") described plans to replace existing wall-mounted lighting with Chase-standard sconces, add a canopy at the main entry, provide a 24-hour vestibule with an interior walk-up ATM, and retain a drive-up ATM lane rather than a traditional teller drive-through window. They said the site work will be limited to the existing pad and that striping will be refreshed after milling and paving.
Commissioners and staff raised several site-specific items: keeping or restoring a sidewalk and crosswalks to provide safe pedestrian access from the rear parking area to the front entrance, relocating a light pole that would sit in a sidewalk, replacing or upgrading existing ADA ramps and stalls (applicant agreed to replace asphalt stalls with concrete and regrade approaches for ADA compliance), and clarifying signage procedures (plaza pylon signage to be handled administratively after planner review).
Commissioners also asked for architectural refinements to soften an industrial facade and suggested adding wood-style accents on the sides visible from the road and the Big Y entry so the building better fits the town’s character. The applicant agreed to add north- and east-side wood-appearance details and return with revised architectural and site plans.
The commission voted to table application 2026-5 to the July 9 meeting so the applicant can submit the requested revisions. The applicant indicated a target opening as soon as building permits are approved and the construction/bidding process is complete, estimating interior and exterior work that could allow an opening by December if approvals proceed on schedule.
Matthew (engineer for the applicant) and architect Richard (last name in transcript given as "Manip") described plans to replace existing wall-mounted lighting with Chase-standard sconces, add a canopy at the main entry, provide a 24-hour vestibule with an interior walk-up ATM, and retain a drive-up ATM lane rather than a traditional teller drive-through window. They said the site work will be limited to the existing pad and that striping will be refreshed after milling and paving.
Commissioners and staff raised several site-specific items: keeping or restoring a sidewalk and crosswalks to provide safe pedestrian access from the rear parking area to the front entrance, relocating a light pole that would sit in a sidewalk, replacing or upgrading existing ADA ramps and stalls (applicant agreed to replace asphalt stalls with concrete and regrade approaches for ADA compliance), and clarifying signage procedures (plaza pylon signage to be handled administratively after planner review).
Commissioners also asked for architectural refinements to soften an industrial facade and suggested adding wood-style accents on the sides visible from the road and the Big Y entry so the building better fits the town’s character. The applicant agreed to add north- and east-side wood-appearance details and return with revised architectural and site plans.
The commission voted to table application 2026-5 to the July 9 meeting so the applicant can submit the requested revisions. The applicant indicated a target opening as soon as building permits are approved and the construction/bidding process is complete, estimating interior and exterior work that could allow an opening by December if approvals proceed on schedule.
View the Full Meeting & All Its Details
This article offers just a summary. Unlock complete video, transcripts, and insights as a Founder Member.
✓
Watch full, unedited meeting videos
✓
Search every word spoken in unlimited transcripts
✓
AI summaries & real-time alerts (all government levels)
✓
Permanent access to expanding government content
30-day money-back guarantee
