It’s been two years in the making, but the Bristol Yarn Mill redevelopment of the former Robin Rug factory, a plan for 127 residential apartment units and approximately 6,300 square feet of commercial space, will be breaking ground soon.

Originally Brady Sullivan, the project developer, was hoping to break ground in April, but the submission of the Final Plan Application was delayed a couple of months. According to attorney John McCoy, who has represented Brady Sullivan throughout this process, the developers were waiting on CRMC assent, a specific condition required under the terms of the Planning Board’s Preliminary Plan Approval. That was the last item that was needed for the Final Plan Application to be submitted.

“The CRMC Assent was finally issued on May 28, and the Final Plan Application was filed shortly thereafter,” said McCoy.

It has been a long road. The Planning Board initially granted Master Plan approval on May 12, 2022. The Town Council amended the Zoning Ordinance and Conditional Zone Map change subject to conditions on July 13 of that same year. The Preliminary Plan application was submitted on Dec. 14, 2022 and approved by the Planning Board with conditions on July 13, 2023. The Board determined at that time that Final Plan Review and approval would be conducted by the Planning Board, and the Final Plan Application was submitted on June 5.

When the Planning Board meets this Thursday, July 18 to grant final approval, they will find little has changed with the plan since their last review.

According to Community Development Director Diane Williamson’s pre-meeting memo to the Planning Board, the walkway around the maritime center will be widened from 3' to 5' and plantings are replacing a proposed dog park, per CRMC. The plans have also been revised to indicate the additional row of arborvitae screening along the southern property boundary of the parking lot. These new arborvitae are proposed to be located to the north of the existing arborvitae and the proposed fence is shown to be to the south of the existing arborvitae on the property line. This fence will need to be located in the field in coordination with the 3 abutting neighbors who are aware and have indicated that they will coordinate with the developer on the exact location. This has been added as a condition of approval.

The conditions of the preliminary plan approval have been met, and it is anticipated that final approval will be granted at Thursday’s meeting.