North Branford stands to gain an estimated $200,000 in annual property taxes, should the Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) approve an application for a new, age 55-and-over housing development at 50 Clintonville Road in Northford.

However, in order to go forward with plans to build between 25 to 30 age-restricted, market-priced single family homes on the 6.39 acre site, a zoning amendment and special permit is required. A public hearing on the application is set to take place Thursday Jan. 5 at 7 p.m. during the regular PZC meeting at Town Hall, said Town Planner Carey Duques.

On Nov. 17, the PZC accepted the application, filed by developer 24-30 Clintonville Road Associates. The application seeks to have town's relatively new Age Restricted Housing District Zoning Layer applied to the 50 Clintonville Road site.

The property is currently situated on land zoned as residential, but fits several criteria required by the new zoning layer's criteria, including providing a "... logical transition in use from the traditional single family homes on Clintonville Road to the commercial uses on Fire-Lite Place (Honeywell and the Northford Ice Pavilion)," the developers noted in a press release.

The release goes on to state, "...the developers are very excited about this project, which will bring a much needed 'over 55' community of smaller homes to the underserved area of North Branford.  The estimated annual real estate tax revenue to the town should be over $200,000. No added stress will be placed on town services because the project is age-restricted and because the road serving the new community will be owned and maintained by a to-be-formed homeowners' association."

Duques said this application is the first to be received by the town that seeks to take advantage of the age-restricted housing zoning layer. She said there are few different areas in town which are suited to this type of zoning layer.

"The purpose (of the zoning layer) is to serve as a transition zone," said Duques, adding "...it seems to make sense to have more density" of residences in an area that transitions from industrial sites to traditional residential lots.

Other criteria required to allow for the age-restricted zoning include having parcels situated on a state highway (Clintonville Road is part of Route 22), connections to sewers and city water, and proximity to residential zones abutting industrial zones or vice versa.

Al Secondino, an owner of the 50 Clintonville Road property, said the development will help keep aging residents in North Branford and benefit the town.

"This project will provide alternative flexible housing options for aging residents of North Branford who are looking to downsize yet still remain in town," said Secondino.  "Many older North Branford residents want to keep the benefits of individual home ownership, but they need a more manageable setting in order to do so.  These citizens are a loyal consumer base for local goods and services, so it is in the best interest of the town to retain them as residents.  We believe that this resident retention will also help to maintain the town's economic vibrancy."