A Task Force meeting has been held on the Branchville Transit Oriented Development study.  During the meeting on Wednesday, the group discussed the plan to build on previous planning for the area including the Route 7 Corridor Study and the Connecticut Department of Transportation’s Danbury Branch Line Study.

The Western Connecticut Council of Governments is currently working with the Town of Ridgefield to identify measures that the Town and Region can take to encourage pedestrian and transit friendly development in the Branchville Station area. Ridgefield officials want to ensure that future development will provide an environment that is supportive of local residents, property owners, businesses, and commuters.

The goal is to deliver a draft plan by the end of October and to conduct the final task force meeting to review the plan in early November, concluding with a public presentation of the plan in early December.

The draft build-out analysis includes three concepts for development.  The preferred concept to guide the recommended zoning and design guidelines would accommodate 68,000 square feet of commercial space, 189 apartment units and 260 townhouse units.  This proposal requires a sewer connection to a wastewater treatment facility. 

Assuming a full build-out, the preferred concept would generate an additional $3.3 million in property tax revenue per year.  Planners say there will be a significant increase in revenue even when additional services such as roadway maintenance, emergency services, and infrastructure expansion are accounted for.  Planners say with a greater population in Branchville, the cost of services per capita would likely decrease.

An analysis of potential ridership increase at the station suggested an additional 71 riders per day under the full build-out scenario.  The estimate is based on existing service and could be expected to increase if service was enhanced.