It’s time to stop opposing the Costco build.

The present owners of the proposed Costco property have chosen to use their land in complete compliance with the zoning laws set by Branford’s zoning board. A property owner invests in property with the knowledge and right to do what they want with that property within the zoning laws.

Whether it be a home or a business, properties are purchased based on how the property is zoned. What right does a small group of disgruntled, self appointed town watchdogs have to prevent an investor from disposing of property in compliance with the zoning laws in place now and were in place at the time of it’s purchase? To use the lame reasoning of environmental impact to an area filled with similar large businesses adjacent to the property in question is absurd.

Why haven’t those opposed to Costco coming to Branford questioned the zoning of that area before? Why wasn’t the zoning questioned at the time businesses like Stop & Shop, the truck stop, Ring’s End, and the dozens of factories covering a huge area adjacent to the Costco property were built? For this small group of mean-spirited naysayers to force their will on the people of Branford is wrong and goes against our form of town government. We chose people to represent us and carry out the rules set down and enforced by our zoning board. Actions such as those directed at Costco will surely stifle other investors with plans to build in Branford.

Our country is at a crossroad. Our young people need jobs. To continue to block the Costco project is short-sighted and not in the best interest of the town of Branford.

Edward P. Amarante

Branford