Brandon Approves New Shopping Center

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(Host)   Brandon residents may get a bigger grocery store just south of town. 

But according to a ruling just released by the town’s Development Review Board, the rest of the proposed shopping center may be in doubt.   

VPR’s Nina Keck reports.

(Keck) After months of hearings, Brandon’s Development Review Board voted to approve a new 36,000 square foot Hannaford store.  

But the panel said no to an additional 12,000 square feet of retail space and a 5,000 square foot stand alone building. The board’s ruling states that the size and scale of the original project does not conform with the scope and scale of the Town Plan. The ruling also cites concerns over traffic.  

The proposal has generated fierce controversy in Brandon. Those in favor argue that the new shopping area would boost the local economy and create jobs. Opponents believe it would hurt the historic downtown shopping district and promote sprawl.  

Jim Leary, a local attorney and member of the Coalition for the Preservation of Historic Brandon, says both sides got a little something from the board’s ruling.  But he says his group may still decide to appeal.  

Bill McCabe, the project’s developer will have to decide his next step as well. The project also needs Act 250 approval.  

For VPR news, I’m Nina Keck.  

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