Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
The Zoning Board of Appeals held a regular meeting on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers at 155 Deer Hill Avenue. Chairman Juan Rebus presided. Commissioners Williamson, Williams, Rickard, and Delusha were present. The meeting opened with approval of the minutes from September 10, 2026, and the board conducted two public hearings.
Glenn Smith, a licensed engineer from Residential Engineering and Design, presented on behalf of the owner. The property is a 1,242 sq ft raised ranch built in 1970 on an undersized lot in the Lake Wabika Association (RA-20 zone). The applicant requested a variance to reduce the rear yard setback from 35 feet to 20.8 feet to allow construction of a screened porch and enclosed dining area. The existing non‑conforming screened porch is 23.2 feet from the rear line; the proposed addition would extend 2.4 feet closer. The total construction is approximately 340 square feet, with a net increase of about 160 square feet. The overall project also includes a second‑floor addition with two bedrooms and two bathrooms that does not require a setback variance. Mr. Smith cited five hardships: undersized lot, zoning change from 20-foot to 35-foot rear setback since 1994, existing house location, steep topography, and angled rear property line. The most affected neighbor (69 Carol Street) supported the project. Board members asked about square footage and bathroom count. The owner, Jennifer Cordian, arrived late but did not testify. After the public hearing, the board voted unanimously to approve the variance as per plans submitted.
Note: The agenda lists the applicant’s surname as “Courtian” and the street as “Carol Street”; the transcript uses “Cordian” and “Carroll Street”.
Chris Pussnell of BBS Design presented the proposal for a 1,000 sq ft house built in 1959, owned by the Johnson family since 1972. The applicants are moving from Westchester and need more space for their family of six. The property is a corner lot in an RA-40 zone with two 40-foot front setbacks. The existing septic system prevents expansion to the rear. The project includes a master bedroom addition over a new two-car garage, a kitchen expansion, and a cantilevered second floor overhang. Three variances were requested: reduce westerly side yard setback from 25 feet to 16.5 feet, reduce southerly front yard setback from 40 feet to 34.7 feet, and reduce easterly front yard setback from 40 feet to 34.9 feet. Hardships included the undersized corner lot, existing non‑conformities, septic location, and the need for a garage. Neighbor Hale Stilson spoke about stormwater runoff but did not oppose the variance. The board discussed that stormwater management is not within the ZBA’s purview; however, an engineer’s letter certifying no increase in point discharge will be required. Following the public hearing, the board voted unanimously to approve the variances as per plans submitted.
Welcome everybody. This is uh the City of Danbury uh zoning board of appeals regular meeting here at the uh city council chambers on 155 Deer Hill Avenue, Thursday, October 8th, 2026, 7 p.m. My name is Juan Rebus, Chairman of the uh um board at this time we're gonna do roll call of the commissioners, Mr. Williamson present Mr. Williams present, Mr. Rickard present and Mr. Delusha present all right. Do I have a motion from the board to accept the meeting minutes of September 10th, 2026? I make a motion to approve the minutes of September 10th as presented. I have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. Any nays? Do I have a motion from the board to open the two public hearings on the agenda? Motion to open public hearing for application 26 13 71 Carroll Street and 26 16 12 Pembroke Terrace. Motion and a second. Any discussion? Saying none, uh, all in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. Any nays? All right. If I can have application 2613, 71 Carroll Street. You can just please uh sign in and state your name and address for the record. Sure. Good evening. My name is Glenn Smith. Um I'm the owner of residential engineering and design. Uh that's located in Ridgefield, Connecticut. Do you need a street address for the business? Okay, perfect. Um, Mr. Chairman, members of the board. My name again, Glenn Smith. Uh I'm a licensed engineer here in state. I am acting on this uh on behalf of my clients. In this case, I am both uh architectural designer and engineer for the project that we are discussing tonight. Um on a personal note, I spent 16 years on the zoning board of appeals in my own town. So when I thank you for your service, I comes from a place of understanding. Um I am here on behalf of Jennifer Cordian, who has not yet made it. She's sitting in traffic, but I'm not particularly worried about that. Uh she is the owner of 71 uh 70 71 uh Carroll Street. Um it's in Lake Wabika Association. Okay, so if uh you guys have been on the board for some period of time, you're probably well aware of Lake Wabika, uh 1950s development, 250 plus homes around a lovely lake, all on sort of postage stamp size parcels. Um, and this this will prove to be sort of one of those.