Land Use-Urban Redevelopment Committee Meeting – August 19, 2026: Public Hearing and Vote on Conservation Commission Ordinance

The Land Use-Urban Redevelopment Committee held a public hearing and voted on Ordinance LU32.009 to establish a Conservation Commission. The meeting included extensive public testimony, all in support, followed by a committee vote that approved the ordinance 6-0-1.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Leah Shemetz, a career environmentalist and 15+ year member of the Environmental Protection Board (EPB), spoke in strong support. She explained that the EPB is a regulatory body focused on inland wetland enforcement, leaving little time for broader conservation planning, which a Conservation Commission could address.
• Jack Egan, a Stamford resident, expressed full support, citing local environmental changes (invasve species, wildfires, water shortages) and the need for local action.
• Mike Baba (may be misspelled) expressed a neutral but supportive stance, critiquing government inefficiency but acknowledging Stamford's good work, e.g., on organic turf. He emphasized empowring workers at the bottom.
• Diana Colai, a 23-year-old ecological landscaper and student, spoke in favor. She described growing up in affordable housing with no trees and argued that conservation and development are not competing priorities, citing Fairgate's mixed-income garden community as an example.
• Mary Ellen Lemay, Conservation Director at Aspetuck Land Trust and former Trumbull Town Council member, spoke from her experience creating Trumbull’s Conservation Commission in 2007. She detailed that the commission did not stop development but provided science-based advisory on natural resources.
• Anika Kamaff, a renewable energy engineer moving to Stamford, supported the commission for green spaces, dog parks, and healthier urban design.
• Tracy Kay, CEO of Bartler Labor and Gardens and technical adivsor for Stamford 2035, supported the commission based on her experience with conservation commissions in other cities.
• Paula Waldman, a Stamford resident, supported the commission, arguing that good development should include environmental protection and that affordable housing should be healthy.
• Gina Calabries, a Cove resident, supported, noting that no public speaker opposed the commission and questioning motives of opponents.
• Michelle Cordray, with a master’s in climate society from Columbia, supported, citing tree equity and the need for beauty and biodiversity in cities.
• Jerry Silver, founder of People Friendly Stamford, supported, noting that the current EPB is too busy for conservation planning.
• Dave Adams, resident, supported, calling the commission a “no-brainer” and noting it would not threaten development.
• Mara Kravtiz, Watersdie resident, spoke in support, citing the positive impact of parks like Mill River Park and green roofs.
• Jeanette Billichnanski, Stamford resident, supported urgently, citing federal deregulation and quoting Dr. Seuss. All public speakers expressed support; no opposition was voiced.

Discussion Items

• Representative Camporelli, one of the ordinance sponsors, thanked the public and committee for robust debate. She emphasized that the commission balances economic development with environmental stewardship and urged supporters to apply for the commission.
• Co-Chair Hughes acknowledged his initial concerns about housing impacts but noted common ground. He explained that his caution stemmed from constituent concerns about high rents and unaffordable homeownership, but he found the ordinance largely acceptable except for a sentence in state statute 13-1A. He ultimately abstained from the vote.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinance LU32.009 was approved by the committee in a roll call vote: 6 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstention (Co-Chair Hughes). The motion carried, advancing the ordinance to the full Board of Representatives.