Here's What To Know About Branford PZC Public Hearing On BJs Wholesale Application

BRANFORD, CT — Knowing there's a tremendous amount of public interest in the proposed BJ's Wholesale application to the Branford Planning and Zoning Commission, the body shared what it expects to be the order of presentation and hearing/management procedures.

Application PZ-26-39 proposes a commercial development anchored by BJ's Wholesale Club at 569 and 573 East Main Street in Branford. The site is a 37-acre vacant site previously eyed for a Costco.

The applicant is Sound Development Group LLC & BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc. 595 Corporate Circle is the owner of 569 East Main Street. NF & W Cooke Limited Partnership is the owner of 573 East Main Street.

The proposal is a Planned Development District, Master Plan and Zoning Map Amendment.

It includes a BJ's Wholesale Club — a 106,700 sq. ft. store with an attached liquor store along East Main Street. An eight-pump gas station on East Industrial Road. Two 2,800 sq. ft. freestanding fast-food restaurants with drive-thrus, a 7,600 sq. ft. full-service sit-down restaurant, and a 16,000 sq. ft. commercial retail plaza with a drive-thru.

About Thursday's public hearing

The Chair and Commission retain discretion to adjust the order, allow additional questions or responses, and continue the hearing as appropriate.

The Commission will consider the application on the complete record.

The Oct. 1 Public Hearing Scheduled to Open
Meeting Information
➢ The public hearing will open on October 1, 2026
➢ Meeting start time: 7pm
➢ The meeting will be held remotely via Zoom in accordance with Public Act 22-3.
o All speakers will be asked to identify their name and title (if applicable) each time they
speak.
o Join the Meeting via Zoom:
us02web.zoom.us/j/82772420034; Meeting ID: 827 7242 0034
➢ The Branford High School auditorium will be set up to provide access to the remote
meeting in accordance with Connecticut General Statute 1-225a.
➢ The meeting is scheduled for live broadcast by BCTV.
Public Hearing Overview
1. Applicant presentation
2. Peer review presentation – Fuss & O’Neill will explain their review within the scope authorized by the Commission
3. Intervenor – Consideration of request to modify scope of the Commission’s peer review
4. Staff initial comments
5. Commission questions
6. Following the scheduled presentations, the Chair may allow responses from the applicant and intervenor limited to new issues or evidence raised during the session.
7. Public testimony
a. Verbal public testimony is principally scheduled for October 29. Additional information regarding verbal public testimony can be viewed under the October 29
meeting.
b. The Chair may receive public testimony during this session, including from persons who cannot attend October 29, and may adjust the presentation sequence as
appropriate.
c. Written testimony can be submitted in person at the PZ office or by emailing: department-planningandzoningpublic@branford-ct.gov
i. Written testimony is requested at least 24 hours before the applicable hearing session to facilitate distribution and advance review. This is an administrative
request, not a cutoff for submissions while the hearing remains open. Planning staff will maintain written submissions in the hearing record and make
them available to the Commission, applicant, intervenor, and public. Materials submitted during a hearing session or less than 24 hours beforehand will be identified for the record. The Commission will determine whether additional review time or a continuation is needed to provide a reasonable
opportunity to respond before closing the hearing.

Continuation of the Public Hearing
The public hearing will be continued to the regularly scheduled October 15, 2026 meeting. Before adjourning, the Chair will announce the date, time, and location or remote- access arrangements for the continued hearing on the record.

October 15, 2026 – Continuance of Public Hearing
Meeting Information
➢ Meeting start time: 7pm
➢ The meeting will be held remotely via Zoom in accordance with Public Act 22-3.
o All speakers will be asked to identify their name and title (if applicable) each time they speak.
o Join the Meeting via Zoom:
us02web.zoom.us/j/82772420034; Meeting ID: 827 7242 0034
➢ The Branford High School auditorium will be set up to provide access to the remote meeting in accordance with Connecticut General Statute 1-225a.
➢ The meeting is scheduled for live broadcast by BCTV.
Public Hearing Overview
1. Intervenor presentation
2. Applicant opportunity for initial response
a. The Chair will allow the intervenor a reasonable opportunity to respond to new issues or evidence raised in the applicant’s response. If new matters are introduced, the applicant will have a reasonable opportunity to address it. Responses will be limited to relevant issues and will avoid repetitive arguments.
3. Staff Report
4. Commission questions
a. The Chair may allow further applicant and intervenor responses to new issues or evidence raised by Commission questions or staff comments.
5. Public testimony
a. Verbal public testimony is principally scheduled for October 29. Additional information regarding verbal public testimony can be viewed under the October 29 meeting.
b. The Chair may receive public testimony during this session, including from persons who cannot attend October 29, and may adjust the presentation sequence as appropriate.
c. Written testimony can be submitted as outlined above under the October 1 meeting.
6. Continuation of the Public Hearing
a. The public hearing will be continued to a special meeting scheduled for October 29, 2026 b. Before adjourning, the Chair will announce the date, time, and location or remote- access arrangements for the continued hearing on the record.

October 29, 2026 – Continuance of Public Hearing
Meeting Information
➢ Meeting start time: 6pm
➢ This meeting will be an in-person meeting at the Branford High School auditorium located at 185 East Main St, Branford, CT.
➢ There will not be a remote option for attending the October 29, 2026 meeting.
➢ BCTV is scheduled to provide a live broadcast of the meeting.
Public Hearing Overview
1. Public testimony
a. There will be a sign-up sheet at the meeting; those that wish to speak will be asked to provide their name and address for the record. The sign-up sheet is an administrative
aid, not a prerequisite to speaking.
i. Public testimony will be called for based on the sign-up sheet.
ii. Before concluding public testimony, the Chair will invite anyone who has not signed up and wishes to speak to do so.
b. To ensure everyone has a chance to speak, verbal public testimony will ordinarily be limited to three minutes per person. The limit will be applied evenhandedly, subject to
the Chair’s discretion to allow additional time when appropriate.
c. Written testimony can be submitted as outlined above under the October 1 meeting.
2. Commission and staff questions
3. Applicant and intervenor responses
a. The Chair will provide the applicant and intervenor reasonable opportunities to address new issues or evidence raised in public testimony, Commission questions, or
staff comments. Responses will be limited to relevant matters and will avoid repetitive argument. If a response introduces additional new matter, the Chair will allow a reasonable opportunity for the affected participants to address it.
b. If insufficient time remains for necessary questions, review, or responses, the hearing will be continued rather than closed without those opportunities.
4. Continuation or closure of the Public Hearing
a. Before closing the hearing, the Chair will confirm that public testimony has been invited and that reasonable opportunities to review and respond to new materials have been provided.
b. If business is not completed, the Chair will announce the date, time, and location or remote-access arrangements for the continued hearing on the record. Planning staff
will update this overview and the posted schedule and arrange for any required meeting notice and agenda. Any continuation remains subject to applicable hearing deadlines and any necessary applicant consent to an extension.