You and welcome everyone to the January 7th, 2026 meeting of the Danbury Planning Commission.

I will open with the roll call, Mr.

Kyokio.

I think you muted, Bob.

You're still muted.

I see you, and I see your I see your lips moving.

I know you're not.

How's that?

Better.

Yes, there you go.

All right.

He's here.

Thank you.

Miss Hof Setter.

And uh we uh believe it or not, uh, ladies and gentlemen, we have no other regular members or uh alternates at this time.

So it's Chairman Finaldi, uh, Mr.

Kyokio and Miss Hofstetter.

We do let the record show we do have a quorum.

Um I'll open with the Zoom introduction.

This meeting of the Danbury Planning Commission is being held on Zoom as a virtual meeting, even though this meeting is a virtual meeting.

Members of the public and interested parties continue to have the opportunity to participate in the meeting in a couple of different ways.

You can participate via Zoom and see the audio and the video, or you can call in by phone and participate via audio only.

Please be aware that we may have to mute your microphone or telephone to avoid an echo or some other background noise.

Instructions on how to participate in the meeting appear on the City of Danbury website, and all of the documents and materials that apply to the matters to be discussed during this meeting, including the agenda, are also available on the City of Danbury website.

As always, if you have any questions regarding how to participate in the meeting, please contact the City of Danbury Planning and Zoning Department as a reminder.

The entire meeting will be posted on and can be seen on the City of Danbury website.

We will follow the posted agenda for standard practice.

If prior to the meeting, any questions or comments on agenda items were submitted via email to the planning and zoning department.

Those comments will be read during the appropriate portion of the meeting.

Finally, please remember that technology glitches sometimes do occur.

Please be patient if that happens.

Um the first item on our agenda is acceptance of the minutes of December 3rd, 2025.

Unless there's any discussion or corrections, I'll entertain a motion to accept those minutes.

Mr.

Chairman, so moved.

Thank you, Helen.

Second.

Second by Mr.

Kyokio.

Any discussion?

All in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Opposed.

The minutes are accepted.

Let the record show that our next regular meeting will be scheduled for January 21st, 2026.

Also, the um previously submitted application uh for MSM 44 Old Ridgebury Road LLC has been withdrawn.

Uh, as shown on the agenda, it was withdrawn on October 21st, 2025.

If anyone was tuning in this evening uh to hear um any testimony or anything else on that particular application, again, it has been withdrawn.

MSM 44 Old Bridgebury Road LLC.

We do have one new public hearing on our agenda this evening.

Um, and I will it is BRT Sconset LLC, application for revised special exception, revised site plan, approval for an existing previously approved cluster development, the ridgetop sections 4A2B34A6 in the RA40 zone, 10 Damia Drive F09036, special exception number 589.

I will read the um legal notice.

Notices hereby given that the planning commission of the city of Danbury will hold a public hearing commencing at 7 p.m.

on Wednesday, January 7th, 2026, and a web-based meeting hosted on Zoom to consider the following matter.

BRT Sconset LLC application for revised special exception, revised site plan approval for an existing previously approved cluster development, the ridgetop, sections 482B3 and 4A6 in the RA40 zone.

10 Damia Drive F09036, special exception number 589.

A copy of this application is on file in the planning and zoning office for public inspection.

Parties in interest and citizens shall have the opportunity to be heard at this time.

The meeting agenda will be posted on to be posted will include instructions on how to access the Zoom meeting and application materials or view the meeting in real time on YouTube.

Arnold D.

Finaldi Jr.

Chairman posted City of City website and town clerk's office December 18th, 2025.

Published News Times on December 26, 2025, and January 2nd, 2026.

Purchase order number 2026-002.

Is there anyone wishing to speak in favor of this application?

Yes, Mr.

Chairman.

Uh, my name is Steve Sullivan, professional engineer with uh Haley Ward.

Um good evening and and happy new year to everyone.

Um can I share my screen to bring up uh the plans?

Sure.

Okay.

Okay.

Has that popped up on your end?

Yes.

Got it.

Okay, so this is uh the ridgetop, which is uh a private road, Damien Drive.

Um on the bottom of your screen here is Clapboard Ridge Road.

Uh Damien Drive enters uh exit off exits off of Clatbord Ridge Road into a cul-de-sac.

Um it is a private gated community.

Uh it's 14.44 acres in the RA40 zone.

There's seven existing large single family homes as part of um the original development.

So you got one, two, three, four, five, six, and seven.

And this building right here is framed but not occupied.

Um, in addition, you have a clubhouse, pool, and small parking area as part of the development.

There's two other single family homes that are not part of the development that have access rights to enter and or pass and repass onto Damien Drive, but they're not part of the development.

They're separate properties.

Um, part of our proposal, um, oh, also there's two existing foundations.

You can see these dashed lines here.

Uh those were built many years ago.

Um, so as part of our proposal for this amended development, we're we'll demolish those two um two foundations and what we're looking to do is uh build 12 small homes, 12 smaller three three bedroom homes on a one-way loot road.

Um there will be a total of 20 homes on the on the in the development, and and 22 homes is the maximum uh allowed.

Um the loop road uh would uh exit and enter off of the cul-de-sac.

Uh the road would be relatively flat, two to three percent.

Um then we have driveways uh two garages off of that looped road.

Um from a grading standpoint, um units six, eight, ten, uh, and twenty four basements with walkouts.

Uh the grades allow for a walkout basement in those particular units.

The only other units are slab on grade with no basements or walkouts.

Um so with any type of development, you know, you're adding uh some impervious surfaces.

Um the stormwater management system that's proposed for this this new section of the development consists of two underground uh piped gallery systems.

Uh there's one behind units right here.

That's units 14 and 16, and then there's another one behind unit six and eight.

And those systems are designed to attenuate the peak flows uh and slowly release out the the peak flows to level several level spreaders that uh dissipate any erosive velocities uh before uh running off over into the wood into the wooded uh areas that are down gradients.

Also, um since Damien Drive is already served by uh city water and sewer, we're proposing to uh extend uh those that infrastructure in within the loop road.

Um so each unit would be provided obviously by a sanitary sewer lateral and a water service uh for domestic water.

Uh the estimated water demand for the for the 12 additional homes is 5400 gallons per day.

Also, we're uh installing uh relocating one hydrant.

Um that would be currently it's it's it's at the end of the Culas Act, but we have to relocate it for the for the uh route, the loop road entrance.

Erosion controls uh they consist of construction entrance, uh perimeter silt fence, which would be on the downgradient sides of the property around the whole entire amended developments.

Um also is part of the EIC approval.

Uh, they wanted some orange construction fence located behind six units six, eight, and ten just for uh belts and suspenders.

Uh also um construction vehicles can enter this uh gravel driveway off of that would be to the uh let's see here the south side of the site.

There's a right-of-way that uh the sewer uh main goes through, and it's owned by the applicant.

Um, but there's a there's a gravel driveway that we can use for construction vehicles during construction.

Um so we wouldn't have as many vehicles going up Damier Drive in order to build these 12 homes.

From a landscaping perspective, um we do show a a bar a landscape buffer between the uh existing cul de sac and the uh unit 17, which is the one closest to the um cul de sac.

Um typically uh there'll be lawns around uh the units.

Um we do have a additional buffer between units six and eight and the wetlands uh that was as requested by the uh environmental impact commission.

Um in general, a homeowners can enhance their own individual areas um in accordance with the homeowners association um rules and regulations, so they could enhance their front foundation area with some plantings and shrubs if they wanted to.

Also, we're expanding.

There is an existing conservation easement area as part of the regional development, and we're amending that.

Uh, we are adding more conservation easement area than there currently is today, and that's generally in this hatched area that you see.

And so that's a wooded area now, and that will remain uh as a wooded area.

It's part of the uh zoning regulations are required to provide some open space.

Um this white hatched area is the proposed open space, which obviously part of that includes the conservation easement area.

Um from a numbers standpoint, um, we're required to provide 50% of the gross areas, gross area minus the pond.

Um, so that's 7.05 acres required.

Uh we're proposing 8.87 acres.

Um, and that's about 61.4% of the property as open space.

I switched screens.

Can you see a lighting fixture now?

Yes.

Okay, so in our in our uh submission package is a photometrics analysis and um and a lighting cut sheet.

This is the proposed light.

It's an ornamental style light.

Uh there's there's eight lights proposed around the loop road.

Um, and we chose this light because it closely matches the existing lights along the existing Damia Drive uh road.

On Monday, we actually submitted a traffic statement letter from uh Joe Boskis of VHB.

Um it's a relatively two and a half page short letter, two and a half pages.

Um Joe couldn't make it tonight, uh, but I encourage you to read that letter.

And I'll just state the conclusions and recommendations that he made at the end of his letter.

Um the proposed 12 additional homes on Damien Drive will generate very little traffic on Clapboard Ridge Road.

And as compared to the existing peak hour traffic, less than 3% of the traffic, an imperceptible amount of new traffic.

There was only one crash reported along Clapboard Ridge Road in the vicinity of Damien Drive in the last three years.

There is no crash pattern in this area.

The proposed 12 additional homes on Damien Drive will not have an impact on the intersection of Damien Drive with Clatboard Ridge Road.

The recommendation is the existing notation along the eastern side of Clatboard Ridge Road, along the site frontage should be trimmed to remove the overgrowth and maximize the site lines at the intersection.

Also we so again we have received EIC approval recently.

We did receive engineering department comments and uh we did respond to them.

I think I submitted them earlier uh beginning of January.

Um so we did respond to those comments and advise the plans accordingly.

And then on Monday, uh we received the plan department letter.

So we're in the process of answering and responding and revising the plans uh to satisfy those satisfy those comments that we received.

So again, we'll we'll need some more time to uh to get that into the planning department.

So with that, I could uh have Mora Juan talk about the architecture, and then we could uh answer any questions the commission may have.

Any questions for Mr.

Sullivan at this time, committee members?

No.

Okay, go ahead, Steve.

Okay, hi.

For for the record, I'm Mara Newell Wan, principal architect at 72 Architects in Danbury.

I'm going to share my screen.

At the ridgetop, we're proposing traditional New England style homes with gabled roofs, traditional eaves and rake details, double hung windows and punched openings with muntains for divided lights, uh mix of siding, which is uh horizontal and vertical siding, um, as well as stone accents and uh shingle accent siding.

The goal is to co coordinate and complement the existing buildings that are on site.

The drawings we're sharing are showing blank massing models, just so you could get a feel of the proportion of the building and the design of the roof and the massing of the facade.

And we'll submit drawings um with detailed drawings for proposed material options.

Um we don't want the houses to be identical, so they will be there'll be variety of uh floor plans, mirrors, um different eve and rake details, colors, siding options, so that it looks like a family of buildings, but not um copy paste.

That's all I've got.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mora.

Yep.

Uh Mr.

Sullivan, anything else?

Uh no, I think right now we could uh answer any questions and uh the commission may have.

Um question to the staff.

Where are we on uh sidewalks?

Uh I I tried I I must have misplaced it.

I read it somewhere.

Where are we?

Are we gonna be sidewalks on both sides of the road at this uh particular cluster?

You want me to answer that, Allie?

Or no, I can answer it.

Okay.

Um so we're still discussing internally if the proposed um pedestrian walkway area meets the intent of the regulation as outlined in section 4A6.

So that we definitely have to come back um to the commission and the applicant with.

Okay.

And on that subject, Allie, we have we have a couple of open things here.

I we I we're not gonna close this public hearing this evening.

I don't think we have the environmental analysis, I believe.

Um your final report, and what else are we uh waiting for on this one?

The two big ones would be um the environmental analysis that needs to be submitted in order for the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct their review of the application.

Um, and there are some major items within the planning and zoning staff report, including the sidewalk piece um that will need to be addressed as well.

Okay.

Thank you.

Thanks, Allie.

Of course.

Um commission members, any other questions for the applicant?

At this time, as I mentioned, this public hearing will not be closed this evening, but if you have any questions, feel free.

Yeah, I just have one quick one, I guess.

Um in terms of um improving sight lines on Clackboard Ridge.

Is that something that needs like galley's, you know, she has to bless that, or what is the process of a review of that to make sure it's it's uh satisfactory?

Well, well, the sight lines are adequate, but you know, there's vegetation along the edge of the road, so that's a perpetual thing.

Every every property owner has to maintain their sight lines essentially.

So I think what Joe Boskus is recommending is that they maintain uh any growth, vegetated growth along that edge of the road.

That's a that's a busy road.

Uh high school's right down the road.

So yeah, so it's a matter of just trimming down the vegetation.

Okay.

That's all.

And I'm sorry, Mr.

Sullivan.

Whose responsibility is that?

That would be the applicant.

Okay.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Yeah.

Mr.

Chairman, one.

Um Steve, you mentioned the there's a uh dirt road uh to at the I guess at the top of the loop road or near the loop loop road there.

Where does that come out?

Right on to Clapboard Ridge Road.

Oh, it does.

Okay, yes.

Yeah.

Um it's a gravel road that was built when they they ran the sewer line up that right away to serve Danier Drive.

Got it.

Okay.

Thank you.

Okay.

Any other questions, Commission members?

Um, so just to sort of wrap up for tonight, uh, we're waiting for an environmental analysis.

Allie's final report, a couple of other uh cleanup items here and there.

Uh again, we're gonna keep this public hearing open.

One last time, any other questions for the applicant, commission members?

And if there are none, I'll entertain a motion to continue until our next meeting.

Mr.

Chairman, I'll make a motion to continue this to the next meeting.

All right, I'll see you.

Thank you, Bob.

Thank you, Helen, for the second.

Any discussion?

All in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Opposed.

This public hearing will be continued until our next meeting, which again is uh January 21st, 2026.

Thank you.

Okay, thank you.

Good night.

Thank you.

Have a good night.

Okay, that's it for public hearings.

Um, under continuation, we have nothing uh on the agenda under old business for discussion of possible action.

We don't have anything, but we do have four referrals.

Uh three are eight two fours and one is an 83A.

So we'll go right to the first one.

824 referral, December City Council agenda item number three, renewal of lease for Danbury duck pin bowling lanes, seven East Hayes Town Road.

Is it you, Jen, or is it is it Allie?

No, I'll be taking uh the 824 referrals tonight.

Oh, go right ahead.

Thank you, Mr.

Chairman, for the record, Jennifer Aminger, deputy planning director.

Uh so the first referral, um, as you just said, the lease renewal agreement agreement for duck pin, uh duck pin lane bowling uh at seven East Hayes Town Road.

Uh it's pretty self-explanatory.

Uh the renewal agreement sets forth a five-year lease of the premises um with the option to renew for an additional term of five years.

Staff has no objection.

Question Did anyone on the commission other than me ever go to a duck pin bowling party at this location when they were a little kid?

A lot of fun.

I think I haven't been in a while, but I haven't been in a very long time.

I used to use my kids as an excuse, but I can't do that.

All right.

Excuse me.

Any questions for Jen on this one?

Uh hearing none, I'll entertain a motion for a positive referral.

Mr.

Chairman, so moved.

Oh, I make a positive referral, uh, subject to the approval of the off Office of Corporation Council and any additional lease terms is deemed by the city council.

Thank you, Helen.

Bob second?

Second, please.

Any discussion?

All in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Opposed.

We'll go right to the second one.

It's an 824 referral, December City Council agenda item number four.

Excuse me.

Request for water main extension 68 Morgan Avenue, K11096.

Jennifer.

Mr.

Chairman, uh, so the subject property 68 Morgan Avenue.

It's a request for a water main extension.

The property is located in the aisle 40 uh zoning district.

It's approximately uh 65,000 square feet.

Uh the water main currently exists in Morgan and terminates in front of the adjacent property.

This just brings it down to their property um at 68 Morgan.

It also includes the installation of a fire hydrant.

Uh staff has no objection as it's located within the proposed water service area.

Um recommend uh positive um recommendation.

Um subject to development of the site pro zoning regs and standard uh DPW language uh for the water main extensions and forming content per corporation council.

Thank you, Jennifer.

Any questions for Jen?

Hearing none, I'll entertain a motion for a positive or negative referral.

Chairman, I'll make a motion for a positive referral subject to the uh terms and conditions set out in the uh staff letter there.

Thank you, Mr.

Kyokio.

More motion made.

Do I hear a second?

Second.

Thank you, Helen.

Any discussion?

Hearing none.

Uh all in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Opposed.

The second one gets a positive referral.

And this third one, um, is an 824 referral December.

City Council agenda item number 12.

Request for condemnation of utility easement within Lombardy Street, which is a I had to look up Lombardy Street.

I didn't know where that was.

It's a full confession from your chairman.

All yours, Jen.

Thank you, Mr.

Chairman.

Uh and um for those who did not look it up, uh Lombardy Street is off of Merrimack Street.

So uh City Council received this request from attorney Tom Beecher, which explains why Tom is on the meeting tonight.

Um he is the um agent for the property owner 1875 development LLC.

Um, and the developer owns uh one lot on Lombardi Street and then five lots on Short Street.

Um Short Street is a paper street and Lombardy Street is a private road.

Um the uh properties total approximately 46,000 square feet, and they're located in the R3 zoning district.

Um the owner of these properties wishes to construct uh multifamily units.

Um to accomplish that they must install, and this is per the engineering department guidelines.

Um they must install the required utilities, which includes water down Lombardy Street, and then sewer is actually going to be um extended from Short Street, and that's not the issue here tonight.

It's the water main extension.

So as you know, um any installation of water or sewer uh requires that those um those mains be turned over to the city as well as the easement uh turned over to the city.

So the legal right to install those utilities and grant the easements must be clearly established.

And usually it's one property owner, and they the you know they make they install the the main and then they're turning the easements over to the city.

In this case, Lombardy Street's private, and Attorney Beecher, I believe has done all of the research, can find the owner.

Um, and believe I believe that it's been tracked back to the original developer from 1929 of Belmont Terrace.

So with that you say did you say 1929?

Yes.

That's even before I was the chairman of this commission, you know.

Way back.

Um again, Lombardi Street's private.

Um and it will remain so.

It's not being turned over to the city.

Um, since the ownership is not clear, and based on um the advice from corporation council, um the condemnation has to happen through eminent domain proceedings.

So that and that's necessary to secure those rights that then again ultimately get turned back over to the city.

So the condemnation will happen to ensure that the city has the rights to go in.

Well, it again to ensure that the developer has the right to install that main, because it will be within the city easement and not private property.

But after the installation is complete, the main and that easement area will already be the cities through that condom condemnation.

So hopefully that's clear.

I've been with the city 23 years.

I've never had a referral like this.

So it's it's complicated.

And I see I see Tom smiling.

Um it happened once before, before I started with the city, um, on Concord Street, I believe.

Um, so there is precedent.

So they went back and said we did it here, so we're following those same proceedings.

So staff has no objection.

Um again, this is being worked out with the attorneys um as well as um public works in the engineering department.

Um all final, excuse me, all final plans and documents should be approved as to form and content by corporation council um prior to any recording on the land records.

Any call?

I know I went through that fast.

Um, I I don't ever remember seeing one like this before, but I mean, Jen, I guess.

But what it boils down to is in order to convey the rights to the city, this condemnation really is the only way to go.

I mean, I don't see any other alternative, right?

Correct.

We and and again, this is based off of um conversations with attorney beecher as well as um the office of the corporation council.

Okay.

Oh go ahead, Helen.

Okay.

Um I I know the uh exactly I agree with our Arnie's assessment there, and of course, your description says it too.

Um so this is kind of a one we have to do, maybe, but I can't help but just ask.

It says um the private road itself is is it seems to go back to the original developer.

I mean, are there any other uh problems we have with this, like the taxes being paid or you know, anything like that?

I mean, uh no, I mean again, we're only we're only taking the area that we need for the easement.

Generally um it's a and again, that's still being worked out with the engineering department and the attorneys is the actual the actual um width and location of that easement.

Um, and again, that's still being negotiated.

So once that's once that's taken, we don't oh we're not gonna own the land.

We're just we're just securing the easement and the rights to install those utilities.

Yeah, yeah.

I guess I was trying to make the point that um we don't know who this person is that owns this private road, it's just kind of strange.

So, all right.

I I get it.

That was I just wanted to bring that up.

So this is eminent domain, it's the same thing, right?

I I don't want to get into a definition, but it's okay.

So it's just a the authority to to do this.

Okay, and we can't we're not gonna get any objection from the owner because we don't know who the owner is.

That's that's any questions, Bob.

Anything?

No, no.

Okay, uh, hearing none, unless there's any other questions for Jen, I'll entertain a motion for a positive or negative referral on the C24.

I'll make it, Mr.

Chairman.

I'll make a um referral based on the requirements and approvals specified in the referral here.

Thank you, Helen.

Motion made for possible second by Mr.

Kyokio.

Any discussion?

All in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Opposed.

The eight this final 824 gets a positive referral from planning.

Okay, the last referral is an 83A referral petition of Salem Plaza LLC to amend sections 582, 585, and 11B3 of the zoning regulation, zoning commission public hearing schedule for January 27th, 2026.

Um, that go back to you, Jen.

No, uh Wally's gonna take this.

Oh, all you wali.

Good evening and happy new year.

Happy New Year.

Good evening.

I will just share my screen with you.

Give me a minute here.

Can you see this one?

Yes, yes.

Okay, okay.

So good evening again, everyone.

We received an application for zoning amendment.

And I'm gonna start by explaining very quickly what the intent is.

After that, I will give you some context about what we did last year.

After that, I'm gonna go one point at a time to explain the provision that are being proposed by the applicant.

So very quickly, the zoning amendment that we achieved is about allowing limited self-storage in an existing warehouse that is zone CG20.

CG20 is general commercial district in the city of Denver.

Very quick background when we talk about self-storage, what usually comes to mind is what you see here on the screen, or what used to be the case, which is what we call dive up self-storage units, the one that you actually dive to, and it's not one building.

As I remind we in the city had a zoning amendment that was initiated by staff last year, if you recall, and according to the zoning amendment that was approved, self-storage.

When I say self-storage, I'm talking about conventional self-storage, is allowed as a special exception in industrial zones, and in the CA, which is uh RTL commercial zone, only in existing self-storage buildings.

What we have now is a little bit different.

We have a proposal or a petition to amend some sections of the CG20 again, CG20 is general commercial district, two provisions in that district and one provision in the zoning board of appeals section to make it clear that if this is approved, nobody can apply for a variance in the future.

And again, going back over the intent, it is to allow up to a maximum of 15% of the floor area of an existing and please in my remember that we're talking about existing structure to be used for self-storage.

I have a screenshot of the copy of the proposed amendments as submitted by the applicant, but they have a simple version that I will explain.

One thing to point out there was a mistake here in the application.

It's a minor one.

What is shown as permitted uses, it should be special exceptions.

I'm actually highlighting it here.

So I'm gonna simplify the language of the application.

So what the applicant is talking about, and let me point out there have been a discussion between staff and the applicant over the last year.

And these conditions that are shown is a result of a lot of collaboration between the applicant and the staff.

So what we're talking about, if this is to be approved, there will be I would call safeguards or conditions.

Number one, this can only happen if the lot is has a minimum of five acres in size.

Number two, it has to be the self-storage component has to be in an existing building that was legally used as a warehouse.

Number three, the total area use cannot exceed 15% of the total floor area in the building, or if we have more than one building on the site.

Access can only be from an arterial state.

Number five, the lot must be immediately adjacent to either IL40 or IG80 zone, which are our industrial zones.

One very important component is a self-storage piece will not be visible from outside because it has to be inside at a minimum 240 feet away from the entrance.

And the most important one, which this one came from staff in the future, assuming that the application will be approved, no variance can be uh applied for for any of the provisions that are mentioned above.

If I could just jump in with a question, if you go back to the previous slide, um yeah, I recall when we um uh the one with the with the five or six conditions, right?

That one when we approved, or when we actually had a referral on the text amendment for the the Crown Plaza hotel, you know, when they converted that to apartments, um, we amended the regulations and the the newly amended rights were subject to it a little a list of conditions you know similar to this uh in terms of lot area, etc.

And we sort of did an inventory at the time of all of the, I believe the is the um Crown Plaza Hotel in Isle 40, or is it I can't remember what it's in?

I believe it was C80.

CA80, okay.

So we did an inventory of CA80 properties, and it was determined that there was two in the city that um would apply to the conditions that we did in the CA80.

One was the Crown Plaza Hotel, which is being converted to apartments, the other, I think was the Hilton Garden in across the street, which I don't think they're converting, but we we knew when we made that amendment that there was really only two pieces of land in the city that could possibly be affected by that amendment.

Do we have any idea how many pieces of CG20 um land in in our city are comply with these seven, or for example, a minimum of five acres?

Do we know how many CG20 pieces of land or five or more acres in Denver?

I'm trying to try to get my arms around the magnitude of the change.

So this is a very localized and I would say surgical amendment.

The analysis I did, this would apply to only one site.

Okay, so this would be the only the the applicant.

I I guess the applicant's piece would be the only one in Danbury that conforms with these seven conditions, five acres, etc.

etc.

That's uh that's quick.

Okay, please proceed.

Um I will just finish up and then I will go back so that to give you some my view from a planning standpoint.

Usually when we look at any application, we look at the POCD.

This is a very, as I meant as you mentioned, Ani.

This is very localized, it wouldn't apply as a general policy.

So really to find the connection between the POCD policies and what we are doing, it's very difficult to do because as you pointed out, it's very, very specific.

However, that being said, it's my job to remind you that on the one hand.

However, that being said, it's my job to remind you that on the one hand last year we knew that we have a huge inventory of self-storage.

And there was a huge push that came from different stakeholders to make it very specific in industrial zones.

On the other hand, also I have to mention that what we're talking about is not actually a standalone self-storage business.

And only maximum of 15% will be self-storage.

So I just want to point out the two sides of the equation, if I may say, and I would like now to open the floor for discussion.

Um I don't know that I've well let me go backwards.

Self-storage buildings are specialty buildings that are designed in and built specifically for self-storage.

Usually um, you know, I have a little bit of experience.

I moved three times in the last couple of years.

I did have some stuff in self-storage, and uh I think I have a pretty good idea of the sort of ebb and flow of cars and trucks in and out of a self-storage facility.

Um again, I don't think I've seen a building that was built for one use that was converted or retrofitted to have limited self-storage.

Does this exist anywhere in Danbury that you know of?

I don't know if in Denver, but I have seen it elsewhere.

Usually what happened is as you know, and again, our job is land use, it's not about finance or economy, but I'm gonna point out what I know.

Usually, depending on the orientation and the setup of a lot, some lots are really deep and become very difficult when you build it to find people who are interested to lease or in the areas in the back.

So, what happens, those guys look at different, I would say innovative ideas.

What can they do?

How to use it.

My understanding is that the owners have been trying for over a year and a half now to find some people who might be interested in a portion of an existing building.

It didn't work out, and I believe this might be their last resort.

And from the get-go from last year, even though I, as I mentioned before, we collaborated with the applicant and the attorney hired by the applicant.

So I have to share with you what happened.

A lot of the condition came from the planning department.

However, the understanding was we wouldn't be able to 100% stand behind it for the reasons I mentioned before, but we wouldn't stand against it.

So our position is outline the all the considerations and leave it up to you to decide.

We would be okay either or because this if you approve it, it wouldn't affect other lots in the city.

If you don't approve it, you would be consistent with the policy from last year to kind of limit the inventory or the expansion of self-storage.

As you know, the issue of self-storage for a city as a whole is it doesn't hire a lot of people, it doesn't, it doesn't, it's not a good fit in commercial area.

Commercial areas, you would like more interaction.

Okay, yeah.

Um, yeah, it just seems counterintuitive that we would change the regs just a few months ago, out of a concern of an overabundance of self-storage, and then a short time thereafter, change the ranks to allow more self-storage, albeit in a different zone.

Um again, you always have to be concerned with unintended consequences.

Now, you said yourself that this only affects one piece of land in the entire city, but uh again, philosophically, uh text amendment to the zoning regulations is a general policy, it's a it's a general rule, it affects the entire city, and this application appears to be of localized concern on one particular piece of land in Danbury.

Did I say that right?

I share the same view, Ani, and full transparency.

That's exactly what I mentioned to the applicant last year, and I told them that it would look to be exactly what you said.

Counterintuitive, you actually just do a change and then you go again to allow something that you didn't want to see last year.

Yeah, so however, the applicant said that he didn't have many options, and he would like still to pursue whatever he can now.

But again, it's a big challenge.

Okay.

And then just one last comment, and no response needed, you know, that I know that they said, well, you know, it's the 15% limitation, and it's variance proof.

You can't come in for a variance, but they they could conceivably come in for another text amendment to the zoning ranks.

They could do that.

You're absolutely right.

Yes, it can happen.

Okay.

All right.

Um, those are my observations.

Commission members, any other questions for Waleed.

Well, I was going to go into things like um, you know, like so you have 15% in this particular building, which we shouldn't be even talking about, but just a thought is like, well, is this storage area on the third floor, or you know, like it are the elevators, you have what you know.

To me, it just opens up a whole can of worms because it's it's retrofitting something that maybe shouldn't be retrofitted.

But that's besides the point.

Um, I I do I am very concerned that we just recently made this uh you know a no-go for CG20, and now we're turning it around, you know, in one particular case.

That's you know, I I just don't feel comfortable with that.

So those are my comments.

Yeah, and Helen, to continue your point.

Um, yeah, it's it's it's kind of weird to have this discussion because I'm I'm trying to foresee unintended consequences on other buildings, maybe on Federal Road that are in CG20, maybe they're five acres, but there's not another building that fits this seven condition sort of box.

So in regular old CG20, you know, I'd have concerns if you know, let's say a strip shopping center, whatever the case may be, you know, you have a Starbucks and you have um whatever, and um suddenly there's 15% of it set aside for self-storage.

Now, I mean, there are trucks that back up to self-storage and moving heavy things in and out.

I mean, were these buildings um you know intended for that type of use?

I just uh I just don't know.

So um I don't know.

I um if I may add something, I know it's a challenge.

I had the same challenge when I was looking at it, and I'm still torn between the two options.

Yeah, um, Mr.

Chairman, if I just may add one more comment.

I mean, there's so many opportunities for businesses to start up now.

I think our economy is improving and all that stuff.

And I thought of like one other application for this space, maybe.

I didn't, I of course I don't know what it looks like, but um they're they're coming out with these um what do they call these uh um where co-op kind of things where people start new businesses and all so that's a much cleaner business, and I I don't know whether that fits in CG20 offhand, but um it's it sounds like it would.

Um, but there's so many other opportunities that I just I I just think this is trying to you know put a square peg in a round hole, that's all that's yeah, no, good point, Helen.

Any anything, Bob?

Anything you wanted to add.

Um yeah, I guess I understand uh both sides as well.

That this property is on West Street.

Is that the one we're talking about?

Yeah, give me a second here.

I might have I don't know if you can see the map or not.

Yeah, yeah, Salem Plaza is the sign out front.

Yes, okay, all right.

So it's that long building, right?

That's the security building.

Yeah, social security building.

Okay, got it.

Yep.

Has offices as well, it has different uses as as we speak now.

Yeah, yep.

So I uh I just trying to think as well.

Um, I know there's a a bunch of properties on um on Federal Road there.

I mean, I I guess somebody could acquire one of the their adjoining properties, right?

And then it could become five acres.

Um, and so then it could apply to that property.

I I suppose um down the line if someone wanted to do that.

Um, so I guess there's there's ways where this could be more prevalent than just this one site.

Yeah, yeah.

Yeah, absolutely.

Bob, I'm only talking about what I see now.

I don't know the future.

Things can change in the future.

Yeah, and I mean, I think that's one thing that we always need to consider when we're looking to approve something is not only what we have in front of us today, but the unintended consequences um and what what could happen that no one really sees right at the moment.

Um I'm not advocating for it, guys, because I I mentioned very clearly my position.

Another way that you can look at it if you want to say, hey, can we add more conditions that it would be more specific and highly unlikely that it would affect the fallah?

That's another option for you.

Yeah, I I don't favor that approach.

We have seven, six conditions here, um, or seven rather.

And um adding more makes it even more specific to one piece.

It's it's just not I'm just not sure this is good zoning.

Um this idea for you guys, but if you don't feel comfortable with the application as it is, I too um actually uh torn in between, as I mentioned.

Okay, I mean I can't make the motion as as chairman, but I I think my at this point anyway.

Uh I think I would be in favor of a negative recommendation.

And the the most um uh the most significant reason is that the city recently took action uh out of concern for an abundance of self-storage facilities to reduce them.

And and in this application runs counter to something to which we just did not too long ago.

So I I think it would send kind of a mixed message from a zoning point of view.

Um and the other is you know, should zoning consider a text amendment, which I guess using Walid's terms are a general uh approval for the it affects the entire city for just one specific piece of land, one specific location, a text amendment that affects one piece of land in Danver.

So I those those are my feelings, but I'll defer to my commission.

Anyone else?

Well, Mr.

Chairman, I could try to put that into a motion if that's okay, if there's no other discussion.

Anything one thing to add what you said is exactly what I said last year.

So it's the same when I looked at the application when I first was actually contacted by the yeah, and you know, I all right.

I let me just leave it at that.

I uh I've said what I want to say.

And uh commission members, if you'd like to add anything or make a motion, a positive or negative referral.

I'm I'm ready.

Mr.

Chairman, yes, I'll uh make a negative referral uh on this um you know petition.

Uh and it's due to um the um reversing of um aspects of the recent change and zoning that concerns the CG20 district uh about self-storage, and that it's not consistent with um with the um plan a plan for conservation and development.

And how about that it affects it appears to affect only one piece of land in the city?

Did you want to get it in?

I didn't want to say, yeah, okay, say that then too.

Okay.

I didn't want to get into that zoning thing.

Okay.

But uh and you meant you meant CA80.

The the recent changes, Helen, uh to trick were CA80 changes, not CG20.

Just I think you just said it by accident.

Okay.

Oh, yeah, I see it then.

I'm sorry.

Yes, okay, we'll clean that up uh in the minutes.

Uh no problem.

All right.

A motion has been made for a negative referral for the reasons stated uh by Ms.

Hofsteder.

Uh, do I hear a second?

Second.

Second, Mr.

Kyokio.

Any further discussion?

Okay, so again, this is a referral.

So a yes is a yes for a negative referral.

A no is a vote for not a negative referral.

You guys remember this whole routine.

So all in favor of the negative referral, please say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Okay, that makes it simple.

This one gets a negative referral for the reasons stated.

Thank you, everybody.

All right.

Um looking at our agenda.

Um, you'll see one item under new business.

It's a revised floodplain for Danbury Mall.

Um, the uh correspondence, there's the meeting schedule for 2026.

Please everybody keep an eye on your calendar.

Um, there's really not too much under other nothing under other matters and some stuff for reference only.

And that's about it.

Um Jen, Ali, Waleed, anything.

We're good.

So um all right.

Next week in the zoning commission, we're gonna have our lawyers talk to the zoning commissioner.

Would you like to have something similar for the planning commission at some point?

Like an educational seminar?

Yeah, yeah, workshop, yeah.

Yeah, I think those are good, Waleed.

Those are always helpful.

It's a good refresher.

Now, granted, we don't have any members.

That's what I want to talk about.

So maybe we should wait till we do.

That would be so let's wait till we got some members.

I think me and Bob and Helen have been around a long time.

We're doing a bit, but uh yeah, when I see these two new people.

Um uh yeah, let's absolutely do that when the new people come on board.

Absolutely.

Okay.

Uh we'll work on that.

Okay.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Waleen.

If there's nothing else, commission members, I'll entertain a motion to adjourn.

I'll make a motion to adjourn.

Thank you, Bob.

Helen second, any discussion?

All in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Opposed.

Meetings adjourned.

Thanks, everybody.

Have a good year.

Thank you.

Good night.

Have a good year.

Thank you.