Danbury Planning Commission Meeting – June 9, 2026
Danbury Planning Commission Meeting – June 9, 2026
Note: The meeting transcript indicates a date of June 3, 2026, but the user-provided date is June 9, 2026. This summary uses the given date.
The Danbury Planning Commission met to conduct a public hearing, discuss and act on a site plan application, and consider two major zoning referrals related to state housing mandates and design standards. The meeting included detailed presentations from Planning Director Walid Al-Bakri on required zoning amendments and a new mixed-use transit-oriented district.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes of May 6, 2026: Accepted unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- UB Danbury LLC (Jersey Mike's): No members of the public spoke in favor or opposition. The public hearing was closed.
Discussion Items
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Public Hearing – UB Danbury LLC: Application for a revised special exception and site plan to permit a fast food restaurant (Jersey Mike's) at 20–28 Bacchus Avenue in the CG20 zone. Applicant representative Jason Montagno (Soli Engineering) presented parking calculations (275 spaces provided vs. 249 required) and trip generation data showing 608 fewer daily trips than the 2010 approved uses. The project involves only interior renovations with no site changes. Commission members asked questions about the store layout and traffic methodology. The hearing was closed, and the matter was moved to old business for action. Commission members expressed support, noting all departments had signed off. No formal vote was taken on the application itself; guidance was given to staff to approve.
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83A Referrals – Zoning Regulation Amendments (Two Items): Planning Director Walid Al-Bakri presented two referrals for the Zoning Commission’s June 23, 2026 public hearing.
- First Referral: Amendments to multiple zoning sections (2B, 5A, 5B, etc.) to implement state mandates under HB 8002/PA 25-1, including: new design standards for residential and mixed-use projects (e.g., building orientation, parking placement, materials, stepbacks), middle housing definitions (2–9 units allowed in commercial zones), parking needs assessments (PNA) allowing reduction of required parking for developments with 2–16 units, creation of two conservation and traffic mitigation districts (near the hospital and west of Main Street) where parking requirements can be enforced, accessory apartment rules, and increased protest petition thresholds (20% to 50%). Extensive discussion ensued about the loss of local control over parking, potential impacts on commercial corridors, and height bonuses for affordable housing in the MU-TOD district. Walid emphasized that state law supersedes local plans like the POCD. The commission voted unanimously to forward a positive referral.
- Second Referral: Amendments to the zoning map to create a Mixed-Use Transit Oriented District (MU-TOD), a priority housing development overlay zone, and the two conservation/traffic mitigation districts. This new district would unify seven existing zones along the corridor from downtown to the Padanaram–Stacey intersection, making existing businesses conforming and allowing mixed-use and multifamily residential with a 10% affordable housing requirement for projects over 10 units. Design standards include 12-foot ground-floor heights and 60% glazing for commercial spaces. The commission voted unanimously to forward a positive referral.
Key Outcomes
- UB Danbury LLC (Jersey Mike's): Public hearing closed; the application was moved to old business and received Commission guidance for approval. (No formal vote recorded.)
- First 83A Referral (Regulation Amendments): Motion for positive referral made by Commissioner Helen, seconded by Mr. Nazario, passed unanimously.
- Second 83A Referral (Map Amendments): Motion for positive referral made by Commissioner Helen, seconded (unclear who), passed unanimously.
- Next Regular Meeting: Scheduled for June 17, 2026.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:32 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Right. Uh Joanne, thank you, and welcome everyone to the June 3rd 2026 meeting of the Danbury Planning Commission. I will open with a roll call. Mr. Kyokio. Here. Ms. Ostadder. Here. Mr. Nazario. Here. And Chairman Finaldi is here. We have a quorum. We don't need to seat alternates because we don't have them. And I guess we're going to be checking on the newest member. Ava. We're not sure what happened there, but we will be looking into that. Okay. Last meeting, I was told that we no longer have to do the Zoom intro. I'm sure you're all real disappointed that you won't have to listen to that every meeting. But I'm going to assume that was okay. I probably should have asked Dan Casagrandy when I saw him the other day, but um I guess we're okay without the zoom intro until I hear otherwise. Um so we're just going to skip that. We'll go right to the acceptance of the meetings of the May 6th, 2026 meeting. Uh commission members, unless there's any uh cred uh corrections or any discussion, I'll entertain a motion to accept those minutes. Chairman, I'll make a motion to accept the minutes of the May 6th meeting. Thank you. By Helen, any discussion? Hearing none, all in favor, please say aye. Aye posed. The meetings, the minutes rather, are accepted. I'll let the record show that our next regular meeting is scheduled for the night of June 17th, 2026. Please note your calendars. Um, and we'll go right into our first public hearing. UB Danbury LLC. I'm actually sorry, let me read the legal notice first. Legal notice is hereby given that the planning commission of the city of Danbury will hold a public hearing commencing at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3rd, 2026 in a web-based meeting hosted on Zoom to consider the following matter. UB Danbury LLC, Regency Centers LP, application for revised special exception, revised site plan to permit fast food restaurants, section 582 B16 in the CG20 zone, 20 to 28 Bacchus Avenue F17010, special exception number 381. A copy of this application is on file in the planning and zoning office for public inspection. Parties and interest in citizens shall have an opportunity to be heard at this time. The meeting agenda will be posted 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 on city website and town clerk's office May 20, 2026, published in the news times on May 22nd and May 29, 2026, purchase order 2026-002. Is there anyone wishing to speak in favor of this application? Um representing the applicant at this meeting. Yes. Hi, my name is Jason Montagno with Soli Engineering.
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