Stamford Operations, Parks, and Recreation Committee Meeting – February 20, 2026

The Operations, Parks, and Recreation Committee met on February 20, 2026, at 7:00 PM, with Chair Sanford presiding. The committee suspended the rules to take up agenda items out of order, hearing first from Director Matt Canonez and Corporation Counsel Dana Lee. Two items were considered: an ordinance amending Chapter 214 of the city code concerning excavation permits, enforcement, administrative fees, and cost recovery (OPR 32.003), and a resolution to reduce building permit fees for commercial projects exceeding $1 million (OPR 32.002). Both items were approved on voice votes and will proceed to the full board for public hearings and final adoption.

Excavation Permit Ordinance (OPR 32.003)

• Director Canonez and Attorney Lee presented a package of three ordinances (214‑29, 214‑30, 214‑31) that:
  • Transfer enforcement and permit decision authority from the city engineer to the Director of Operations or designee, allowing flexibility and consolidation within the newly organized transportation department.
  • Set civil fines at the maximum allowed by state law (currently $250) to remedy a potential illegality from a previous formula tied to permit fees.
  • Introduce administrative fees for permitting, inspection, and enforcement costs.
  • Establish cost recovery for city labor (direct and indirect) when the city performs restoration due to non‑compliance.
  • Create tiered permit denial actions (90 days, 1 year, permanent) for violations.
• Representative Finkel inquired about applicability to the planned EverSource underground transmission line project. Attorney Lee confirmed that existing permits retain original terms, but future permits and violations will fall under the new ordinance; Director Canonez estimated 90‑95% of the project would be covered.
• Representative Finkel also asked about timelines for temporary versus permanent repairs. Director Canonez responded that timelines are established per permit, and the ordinance strengthens enforcement to prevent extended temporary patches.
• The committee approved all three ordinances by voice vote.

Building Permit Fee Reduction (OPR 32.002)

• A resolution proposed reducing the building permit fee for commercial projects exceeding $1 million from $35 per $1,000 to $25.26 per $1,000 of estimated cost, aligning the threshold with existing ordinances at $1.3 million.
• Committee members expressed various positions:
  • Representative Finkel supported the reduction, noting the building official’s agreement and that most permits are for mid‑range values.
  • Representative Hughes (co‑sponsor) argued lower upfront costs encourage housing and mixed‑use development, addressing the housing crisis.
  • Representatives Gardiner, Didalow, and Zachary supported the reduction, stating fees should cover costs, not generate surplus, and that costs are passed to renters and businesses.
  • Representative Camporelli opposed, citing lower fees than other municipalities and requesting data showing fee revenues cover costs to protect taxpayers.
  • Representative Didalow referenced New Rochelle, NY, where lower fees ($16 per $1,000) correlated with decreased rents.
• A motion to further reduce the fee to $16 per $1,000 failed for lack of a second.
• The resolution was approved by voice vote (apparently unanimous).

Key Outcomes

• OPR 32.003 (Excavation permit ordinance): Approved Ordinances 214‑29, 214‑30, and 214‑31 by voice vote. Next steps: public hearing before the full board, followed by final adoption.
• OPR 32.002 (Building permit fee reduction): Approved resolution to set fee at $25.26 per $1,000 for commercial projects over $1.3 million. Next steps: full board consideration and public hearing.
• Chair Sanford committed to obtaining a written clarification from the law department on whether building permit fees are deposited into the general fund and their relationship to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
• Representative Camporelli requested a report showing whether fee collections have covered city costs over the past three to four years.