Main Street Buildings to be Razed, Potential for Two Building Sites

Six buildings on Main Street will be demolished within the next few months, to allow the property owner to market the land to potential business tenants.

The cleared land could be divided into two lots, providing enough space for a pair of 4,000-square-foot retail buildings, the property owner's attorney told the Milford Planning Board Monday. , both with separate entrances.

The six targeted buildings are on four contiguous lots that stretch from the Milford Upper Charles Trail path to the town parking lot across from Sacred Heart of Jesus Church. The structures include four apartment houses — which are occupied — and two vacant commercial buildings.

No business tenants have been identified, said attorney Ernest Pettinari, who represents the owner of the parcels. He said the condition of the existing properties has made the sales job more difficult, because prospective clients find it hard to look past the aging structures.

"The property doesn't show itself terribly well," he said.

What he sought, and received, from the Planning Board was the understanding that once the properties are cleared, and the owner markets the site, a specific plan for up to two retail uses would then be developed and presented to the board for review. Pettinari said up to two retail spaces of 4,000 square feet each would fit into zoning requirements.

Depending on the tenant or tenants, the building footprints could be changed. Following the meeting, Pettinari said demolition of the structures could happen by the end of summer, and would require approval of a demolition permit.

Planning Board members said they would be most concerned about the impact on traffic at that point on Main Street. Some questioned whether the new site should have separate entrances for two businesses.

"People who go to the donut shop can't get out on Main Street," said Planning Board member John Cook, who pointed out that Dunkin Donuts has an entrance and exit within feet of the proposed site.

Planning Board member Joseph Calagione agreed. "I think we're going to make a mess on Main Street — depending on what the use is."