Applicant Costco Wholesale Co. goes back in front of Branford's Inland Wetlands Agency (IWA) on Thurs. Feb. 11, 7:30 p.m. at Branford Fire Headquarters, 45 North Main St. The meeting is a continuation of a public hearing opened on Jan. 14.

The IWA's Jan. 14 hearing opener on Costco's wetlands and watercourses site plan applications pulled in a standing-room only crowd of interested citizens; but no one had a chance to speak that night due to the length of the opening process. Costco representatives were asked to review three separate applications, together with scientific studies submitted, for contiguous parcels making up Phase I and Phase II of the planned development off Exit 56.  Details of the site plan and related files are at http://www.zip06.com/news/20150910/costco-submits-site-plan

The Feb. 11 portion of the IWA Costoc applications public hearing is expected to open with more information presented to the IWA, this time from consultant firm Milone & MacBroom of Cheshire. The firm was hired in Nov. 2015 by the IWA to conduct peer reviews of Costco's submitted soil and engineering reports. The same firm was hired by Branford's Planning & Zoning Commission (PZC) to produce peer reviews of studies submitted with Costco's master conceptual plan for a 44 -acre, two-phase development off Exit 56. The PZC approved Costco's master plan in June 2015  -- see the story here http://www.zip06.com/news/20150710/costco-is-a-go-in-branford%20

On Jan. 14, following three hours of input from Costco, the IWA ended the first part of the public hearing at 10:30 p.m. Since that time, Zip06/The Sound has published several Letters to the Editor making points both pro and con on the matter. The letters are located at the following links:

http://www.zip06.com/letters/20160203/uphold-the-townx2019s-regulations

http://www.zip06.com/letters/20160120/will-stifle-other-investors

http://www.zip06.com/letters/20160203/active-engaged-citizens

http://www.zip06.com/letters/20160127/another-nail-in-the-environmental-coffin

http://www.zip06.com/letters/20160120/not-just-costco

Also as previously reported, two groups have been granted intervenor status as parties of interest concerning Costco's inland wetlands/watercourses site plan applications. They are Branford Land Conservation Trust and Branford Citizens for Responsible Development.  See related stories at http://www.zip06.com/news/20151214/citizens-group-gets-costco-intervenor-status   and http://www.zip06.com/news/20150916/land-trust-takes-action-to-reduce-costco-environmental-impacts-