Danbury Planning Commission Meeting - March 9, 2026
Danbury Planning Commission Meeting - March 9, 2026
Note: The transcript of the meeting references March 4, 2026, but the provided meeting date is March 9, 2026.
The Danbury Planning Commission held a virtual meeting on March 9, 2026, to consider several planning applications. The commission approved a revised special exception and site plan for interior renovations at the Western Connecticut Council on Alcoholism (MCCA) treatment center, and a revised special exception and site plan for the Ridgetop cluster development. A continuance was granted for the Danbury Mill Plain Realty application. The meeting also included roll call, approval of previous minutes, and public comments.
Consent Calendar
- The minutes of the February 18, 2026 meeting were approved unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Western Connecticut Council on Alcoholism (MCCA): Paul Rotello, representing the 6th Ward, expressed support for the application, noting MCCA has been a good neighbor for 25–30 years. He asked about potential traffic increases from additional beds. Ellen Maury, a resident of Larson Drive, also spoke in favor, stating MCCA has been a good neighbor for 24 years and she sees no problem with the change. No opposition was heard.
- BRT Sconset LLC (The Ridgetop): No public comments were made in favor or opposition.
- Danbury Mill Plain Realty LLC: No testimony was taken; a continuance was requested.
Discussion Items
- Western Connecticut Council on Alcoholism (MCCA) – Revised Special Exception & Site Plan: Applicant Mike Mizuko, PE, presented the proposal to convert existing office space into additional bed space for the dependency treatment center, reducing the scope of a previously approved addition. The changes are interior only, with minor exterior modifications including removal of some parking spaces, addition of an island, and a fence around an existing patio. The project adds approximately 1,100 gallons of flow. All department comments (building, engineering, fire marshal) were satisfied. Commission members expressed support, noting MCCA is a good neighbor and the project is minimal in impact.
- BRT Sconset LLC (The Ridgetop) – Revised Special Exception & Site Plan: Applicant Steve Sullivan, PE, presented revisions based on staff comments, including the addition of two raised sidewalks on both sides of a 20-foot-wide one-way loop road (counterclockwise). All other department comments were addressed, and staff noted no deal breakers. Commission members supported the project, noting it provides single-family detached homes, a housing type not seen in the area recently.
- Danbury Mill Plain Realty LLC – Continuance Request: Attorney Joshua Pedrera requested a continuance to April 1, 2026, to allow the project team to respond to staff questions and submit revised plans. The commission granted the continuance.
Key Outcomes
- Western Connecticut Council on Alcoholism (MCCA): The public hearing was closed, and the commission voted to approve the revised special exception and site plan. (Motion to close public hearing: approved; motion to move to old business: approved; discussion and approval: unanimous.)
- BRT Sconset LLC (The Ridgetop): The public hearing was closed, and the commission voted to approve the revised special exception and site plan, with conditions including staff reports from engineering and planning. (Motion to close public hearing: approved; motion to move to old business: approved; discussion and approval: unanimous.)
- Danbury Mill Plain Realty LLC: The application was continued to the April 1, 2026 meeting. (Motion to continue: approved.)
Meeting Transcript
Joanne and good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the March 4th, 2026 meeting of the Danbury Planning Commission. We will open with the roll call. Mr. Kyokio. Here. Miss Hostetter. Here. Mr. Nazario. Yeah. Um, Chairman Finaldi is here. We do have a quorum. Um I don't know if the email went just to me, Joanne, or to everybody, but it appears, Commission members, that we may have for the first time in a very long time, an alternate joining the uh the um planning commission. And Joanne, what was there? Uh was there a meeting last night or something? You're muted. You're muted. Joe, you're muted. Hold on. Sorry. Um, there was a council meeting last night. It was on the agenda, so just a formality that they have to approve it, but then she has to come in and get sworn in. And I didn't think I could pull it all together in time for tonight. But it was done. It was on the consent calendar, so it's a it's a go. Good. Eva Vega, three Crane Street, Danbury Connecticut. Good. So be happy to have an alternate. That'll um that'll be good for the first time in a very long time. Yeah, as soon as I get her email address, I will uh send her an email and let you guys in on it. Her email address too. And um, but right now I don't have a phone number or an email address. I have to get it. And today was just too crazy at the office. There was no time. No problem at all, Joe. No problem at all. We'll look forward to it. Okay, I'll open with the Zoom intro. 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 as per 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.
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