Stamford Planning Board Regular Meeting & Public Hearing – March 8, 2023

Note: The agenda and transcript list the meeting date as Tuesday, March 7, 2023, but the provided timestamp indicates March 8, 2023. This summary uses the provided date.

The Stamford Planning Board convened a regular meeting and public hearing to approve minutes, capital appropriations, zoning text changes, a subdivision application, and two special permit amendments. The meeting also included a discussion on the Glenbrook Community Center and future policy reviews.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of February 21, 2023 Regular Meeting minutes and February 24, 2023 Special Meeting minutes (unanimous).
• Supplemental Capital Project Appropriation Requests: Roadway Design & Reconstruction (CP1281) for $108,000 (private contributions from 441 Canal Street and Stillwater Avenue/Liberty Street) and Citywide Signals (C56174) for $200,000 (private contribution from 441 Canal Street) – both approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Subdivision #4046 (29 Intervale Road, 131 & 139 Turn of River Road): Six residents from Talmadge Lane and one from Stonebrook spoke. Most expressed general support for the 11-lot subdivision but raised concerns:
  • Brian Mitchell (34 Talmadge Lane) requested that the conservation area be extended along the stream to connect open space from Talmadge Lane and Stonebrook.
  • Amy Essenfeld Temple (17 Talmadge Lane) and others raised concerns about water drainage and runoff, noting that the existing stream overflows during heavy rain, causing basement flooding. They questioned whether the stormwater plan would exacerbate flooding.
  • Peter O'Rico (30 Talmadge Lane) highlighted the loss of a large 60-inch diameter maple tree and a 38-inch maple on Lot 6, asking if they could be saved. He also requested screening (evergreen trees) on the Talmadge Lane side, similar to the Stonebrook side.
  • Len Sclafani (Talmadge Lane) echoed drainage and screening concerns, and asked that deed restrictions require maintenance of the water course.
  • Anthony Tarzia (29 Talmadge Lane) supported the development but requested deed restrictions for uniformity (e.g., no sheds, fences, commercial vehicles) and maintenance of the water course.
  • Angela Adatola (28 Talmadge Lane) emphasized tree preservation, especially the large maple, and screening.
  • Dean Schneider (Stonebrook) asked about traffic impact from additional cars on Turn of River Road and Intervale Road.
  • The applicant (Richard Redniss) responded that the stormwater plan includes infiltration systems and pervious pavers to reduce runoff, that the large tree is unlikely to survive construction due to underground utilities, and that they are willing to meet with Talmadge Lane residents to discuss screening. The board added a condition requiring the drainage maintenance agreement to be noted on all deeds.

Discussion Items

• Zoning Text Changes (ZB 223-09, 223-10, 223-11): Ralph Blessing, Land Use Bureau Chief, presented three text changes aimed at streamlining regulations, clarifying definitions, and consolidating scattered provisions. The changes were described as cleanups with no substantive policy shifts. Approved unanimously.
• Landmark Square Redevelopment (ZB 223-12): Richard Redniss presented the proposal to demolish a 134,000 sq. ft. office building (Building 3) and construct 400 apartments, 420 parking spaces, residential amenities, and 5,200 sq. ft. of retail. Discussion focused on the request to satisfy all affordable housing requirements (40 units) via a fee-in-lieu of $10.7 million, rather than on-site units. Board members debated the trade-off: some preferred on-site affordable units, while others saw the fee as a way to leverage more affordable housing elsewhere, such as the redevelopment of the Landmark Square twin towers or other projects. The Zoning Board referral was approved with a recommendation that the affordable housing trust fund prioritize tangible projects.
• Broad Street Amended Parking (ZB 222-37): Michael Cacase presented an amendment to reduce compact spaces from 19 to 11 and to replace 37 off-site parking spaces in the Bedford Street Garage with valet and tandem parking on-site (18 on level 2, 19 on level 3). The applicant argued that parking demand is lower than one space per unit (citing 0.87 ratio and experience at Summerhouse) and that valet would be available from day one. The board approved the amendment unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes and capital appropriations approved unanimously.
• Three zoning text changes (ZB 223-09, 223-10, 223-11) approved unanimously.
• Subdivision #4046 approved with 23 conditions, including additional deed restrictions for drainage maintenance and a commitment by the applicant to meet with Talmadge Lane residents about tree preservation and screening.
• Landmark Square special permit (ZB 223-12) approved unanimously, with a note that the fee-in-lieu of $10.7 million should be used expeditiously for affordable housing projects.
• Broad Street amended parking special permit (ZB 222-37) approved unanimously.
• New Business: Chair Dell reported on a meeting regarding the Glenbrook Community Center, where the Board of Representatives continues to oppose housing on the site, while the Mayor supports a mixed-use development. No resolution was reached; further meetings are planned.
• The board agreed to schedule a future discussion with Ralph Blessing on potential revisions to parking regulations and affordable housing requirements for subdivisions.