An undeveloped parcel of Branford land fronting Route 1 at 819-841 East Main St. has been approved to bring in a medical technology firm’s corporate office and research and development building.

Located along East Main Street/Route 1 at the intersection of Goldsmith Road, the 9.4-acre site, of which approximately 6.9 acres will be developed, calls for construction of a proposed 36,560 square foot building. The building will be the general corporate offices and research and development site of a medical technology business serving a worldwide base; producing custom-engineered medical devices for diagnostic and interventional applications.

The total building height is under the Town requirement of a maximum 40 feet. Design of the building calls for a mix of New England-style and contemporary components. The company will have an anticipated workforce of 48 individuals operating on site Mondays through Fridays.

The site plan was submitted to the PZC by applicant 819 East Main St. LLC and applicant/owner Sullivan Farm LLC, c/o Jim Sullivan-Owner 819-841 East Main St. The zoning application sought special exceptions for a research laboratory, general office, and Section 6.8 (grading within 100 feet of an inland wetland).

Following a public hearing on Nov. 3, Branford’s Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) voted unanimously to approve the application, with conditions. The PZC approval followed Branford’s Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission (IWWC) October 13 approval of the applicant’s plan for proposed construction with associated site improvements. The IWWC approval was made by a vote of five in favor and one abstention.

The PZC public hearing was initiated on Oct. 20 and heard on Nov. 3.

During the PZC’s Nov. 3 meeting held via Zoom, applicant attorney Marjorie Shansky (New Haven) introduced engineering, landscaping, traffic review and architectural team members who gave an overview of the project. In response to PZC chair Charles Andres query of whether a bio-tech company will be coming to the property, Shansky reiterated it will be home to a med-tech, not a bio-tech, firm. She said the firm’s medical technology-based research and development involves the “...creation of software and instrumentation for diagnostic medical purposes.”

Two members of the public also gave input during the hearing. Goldsmith Lane resident, Michael Scott, asked about proposed curb cuts and requested truck traffic into the site be prohibited from Goldsmith Road. He also spoke in support of the lighting plan and felt that the overall project was a suitable development for the property.

Branford Economic and Business Development Manager Perry Maresca spoke in favor of the project, saying, in part, “...the company that is hoping to build on this site, pending approval from the Town, is a medical company in the technology field [and] it is an established company with an extensive track record.”

Maresca also noted the type of development planned for the site “checks all the boxes” for the town, in terms of generating minimal traffic, providing additional taxes, creating a clean industry with high paying jobs, establishing new sidewalk along the East Main Street frontage, minimizing impervious surfaces, using dark sky lighting and installing two electric vehicle charging stations.

“This is exactly what many in the town have been saying should be put in this area,” Maresca said.

Given that the parcel, while mainly located in Branford, includes an additional 2 acres which extend into Guilford and small section of land in North Branford, both of those towns were notified of the application proceedings in Branford. Both towns returned no interest or concerns relating to the applications.