Danbury Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting - June 2, 2026

The Danbury Zoning Board of Appeals held a regular meeting on June 2, 2026, at 7:01 PM. The board reviewed three applications: a revised two-family dwelling at 5 Clark Street, a request for an electronic message center sign at 70 Newtown Road, and a continued case for legalization of work at 8 South Cornell Road. The meeting included roll call (all five members present: Peter Delusha, Keegan Williamson, Jacob Williams, Barry Rickert, and Chairman Juan Rivas), approval of prior minutes, and public hearings. Key actions included approval of the 5 Clark Street application with one dissent, continuance of the 70 Newtown Road application, and approval of the 8 South Cornell Road application with conditions and one dissent.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the April 23, 2026, regular meeting by unanimous voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• 5 Clark Street: No public comments in favor or opposition were heard.
• 70 Newtown Road: No public comments were presented; the applicant, National Sign Corporation, represented by Darcy Roy and Russ Hassman, requested a continuance after discussions about the required message hold time and enforcement concerns.
• 8 South Cornell Road: The adjacent property owners, Arthur and Linda Stock (10 South Cornell Road), submitted a letter read into the record expressing concerns about loss of privacy, safety hazards from a retaining wall and deck, and lack of notification. They requested restoration of privacy barriers, removal of the retaining wall, an engineer's opinion letter, and grading corrections. The applicant, Myra Solano, agreed to these conditions.

Discussion Items

• Application 26-08 – 5 Clark Street (Thomas Nejam, applicant): The applicant revised the proposal from a three-unit to a two-family dwelling, removing several variances. The requested variances were: reduce minimum lot width from 75 feet to 45.34 feet (R3 zone, required 20,000 sq ft lot area—actual lot undersized), reduce easterly side yard setback from 15 feet to 4.6 feet, waive front entrance requirement for the rear unit, and allow grading within 5 feet of the property line. Board member Barry Rickert raised concerns about fire department access to the right side of the building, but after discussion with staff, the board agreed the variance focused on setbacks and city departments would handle code compliance. The applicant offered to seek a fire department comment. The public hearing was closed on a 4-1 roll call vote (Keegan Williamson dissenting). The application was then approved by voice vote with no nays, citing hardship due to the undersized lot (Section 11 of regulations).
• Application 26-09 – 70 Newtown Road (ShopRite / National Sign Corporation): The applicant sought a variance to allow an illuminated electronic message center sign with a message change interval of 2.5 minutes, arguing that the zoning regulations do not define “flash” and that such intervals are not distracting. Staff noted that the city considers any change of message a flash, and the applicant acknowledged the need for a variance by applying. Board members expressed concerns about enforcement of the interval, citing a similar sign at another ShopRite location that changed every 15–17 seconds despite a prior 2.5-minute approval. The applicant suggested the software could be locked to enforce intervals, and offered to reduce the interval to 30 seconds (as previously approved for Caraluzzi’s market). However, the advertised variance was for 2.5 minutes, so the board could not reduce the time without a new application. The applicant chose to continue the application to the June 11, 2026, meeting to consult with the client and possibly refile. The continuance was granted unanimously.
• Application 26-01 – 8 South Cornell Road (Myra Solano, applicant): This was a continuation from a previous meeting. The applicant proposed to remove the non-permitted deck, retaining wall, and fence; restore the original slope; and keep only a two-story addition that replaced a sunroom (no increase in footprint). The requested variances were: reduce southern side yard setback from 15 feet to 3.6 feet, reduce northern front yard setback from 30 feet to 24.8 feet, and reduce eastern side yard setback from 15 feet to 11.5 feet. The hardship was based on the pre-existing undersized lot (7,400 sq ft vs. 20,000 sq ft required) and the pre-existing nonconforming house location. The neighbors (Stocks) testified that they were not notified initially and have safety concerns. The applicant agreed to all four conditions from the Stocks: restore privacy barriers, regrade the property, provide an engineer’s opinion letter, and complete the grading. The motion to approve included these stipulations and referenced the revised site plan. The public hearing was closed, and the application was approved on a 4-1 vote (Keegan Williamson dissenting).

Key Outcomes

• 26-08 5 Clark Street: Approved (4-1 on closing hearing, unanimous on approval). Variances granted for lot width, side yard, front entrance waiver, and grading. No public opposition. The board noted the lot is undersized under Section 11.
• 26-09 70 Newtown Road: Continued to the June 11, 2026, meeting at the applicant’s request. The applicant may withdraw and refile with a different message hold time.
• 26-01 8 South Cornell Road: Approved (4-1). Variances granted for side and front yard setbacks, subject to conditions: (1) restore privacy trees/hedges, (2) provide an engineer’s opinion letter on grading, (3) regrade and remove the retaining wall, (4) complete all exterior restoration per the revised site plan. The next regular meeting is scheduled for June 11, 2026.