Milford City Council: Truitt Avenue Development Proposal Denied

Milford City Council rejected a plan to combine five parcels on Truitt Avenue into a nearly five-acre, 39-townhome development. (Photo courtesy of Milford City Council.)

Following a detailed presentation and an extended public hearing, Milford City Council voted down a proposal from Carlisle Lane LLC that would have merged five parcels on Truitt Avenue and redeveloped them into 39 townhouses and a single-family home. The nearly five-acre site, located between NW 3rd and NW 6th streets, would have represented one of the larger recent infill projects in the city.

Developer’s Request

Carlisle Lane LLC sought approval for 39 attached units on roughly 4.5 acres. During the public comment period, two residents voiced support. Neighbors whose properties back up to the site said they welcomed new investment and believed the project would benefit the city. Another resident cited the need for more attainable homeownership options.

Concerns From Residents

However, the majority of speakers urged council to reject the plan.

Maura Clery, who lives two houses from the site, questioned the project’s density and parking layout. “You don’t have guest parking,” she said. “There really isn’t any room for a third car when family visits. The amount of parking that’s going to happen on the street is going to be wild.” She warned the development could bring as many as 80 to 120 additional vehicles to an already narrow roadway.

Jennifer Sinelli-Miller, speaking as both a resident and planner, said she supports higher density in principle but did not feel this proposal delivered genuine affordability. She raised concerns about emergency vehicle access, school bus pickups, snow removal and the cumulative impact of repeatedly approving variances. “If you approve this development, Milford can and should be held accountable,” she said.

Former Planning Commissioner Mike Boile called the proposal the “most likely to become a housing nightmare” of any he’d reviewed, citing missing recreational space, unsafe play areas, and impacts on wetlands. He warned that the plan did not meet city code and that “future homeowners will pay the price.”

Julie Morris reminded council of past hurricane damage in the area and warned that grading wetlands into buildable lots would affect surrounding properties. She also argued that the homes would not qualify as affordable or workforce housing.

Greg Kelly echoed earlier comments, urging council to consider strain on services such as trash removal when placing “a lot of units on a small street.”

Milford City Council Decision

After addressing questions and concerns raised during the hearing, council members ultimately voted 6–2 to deny the request. Council cited insufficient roadway capacity, impacts on nearby wetlands, and significant community concerns as key reasons for turning down the proposal.

The decision leaves the future of the Truitt Avenue parcels uncertain, but council members emphasized that any new plan must more clearly address neighborhood compatibility and long-term livability for Milford residents.