Stamford Planning Board Regular Meeting - May 9, 2023

Note: The meeting date is May 9, 2023, as stated in the agenda and transcript. The instruction provided indicates May 10, 2023, but that appears to be a discrepancy. This summary uses the date from the source material.

The Stamford Planning Board met on May 9, 2023, via Zoom webinar. Chair Theresa Dell presided, with members Michael Totillo, Jay Tepper, Jennifer Godzino, and Michael Bocino present. Alternates Stephen Perry and William Levin were absent. The meeting covered three major agenda items: a capital appropriation for the South School Project, a zoning board referral for a historic property at 24 Dolsen Place, and two zoning board referrals for a redevelopment at 589 Bedford Street.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of minutes from April 25, 2023: Moved by Michael Totillo, seconded by Jay Tepper, passed unanimously.

Discussion Items

South School Project – Supplemental Capital Appropriation Request (Project #001329)

• Presentation: Catherine Labalbo (Director of School Construction), Lou (City Engineering), and Kemp Moorhart (SLAM Architects) presented the project. The original request was $165,750,000, but after refined cost estimates, the amount was reduced to $158,335,408. The project entails a new K-8 school split across two sites: 83 Lockwood Avenue (grades K-4) and 19 Horton Street (grades 5-8), plus demolition of Toquam Elementary. The state is expected to reimburse up to 60%. The presentation covered site plans, floor plans, parking, sustainability features (geothermal, photovoltaic), and cost breakdowns. Discussion included cash flow (the city uses a capital cash reserve and bonds for the non-reimbursed share), parking adequacy, and the decision to remove $7 million from the original estimate due to refined square footage. The board voted unanimously to approve the $158,335,408 appropriation.

ZB Referral #223-19 – 22-24 Dolsen, LLC – 24 Dolsen Place

• Presentation: Ray Mazio (Redness and Mead) represented the applicant. The project involves full rehabilitation of the historic building, adding a third dwelling unit (converting from two units to three), removing an exterior staircase and shed, and providing parking. Two parking options were presented: one with three conforming spaces and one with four spaces (slightly undersized but extra wide). The applicant preferred four spaces. The board found the project supportive of master plan policies (historic preservation, housing variety). The motion to approve (including the special permit and Cultural Resources Inventory addition) passed unanimously.

ZB Referrals #223-20 and #223-21 – Stavros Aivalis – 589 Bedford Street

• Presentation: Steve Ivelas (applicant) presented two related applications: a map change from R-H (Residential High Density) to MX-D (Mixed Use Development) and a site plan for a four-story residential building with 21 studio units, 19 parking spaces, and on-site amenities. The project is on a vacant lot and aims to transition between lower-scale Victorians and higher-density downtown. The board discussed the need for landscaping between the proposed building and the adjacent historic property (now used as an office). Chair Dell recommended adding a buffer. The board voted to approve the map change (unanimous) and the site plan (unanimous), with a notation to further explore landscaping options.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the South School Project capital appropriation of $158,335,408 (unanimous).
• Approved ZB referral #223-19 for 24 Dolsen Place (unanimous).
• Approved ZB referral #223-20 (map change) for 589 Bedford Street (unanimous).
• Approved ZB referral #223-21 (site plan) for 589 Bedford Street (unanimous) with a recommendation to enhance landscaping.
• Next meetings: May 23, 2023 (public hearings on Master Plan Amendment #442 – 91 Hope Street and #444 – 961 Long Ridge Road & 16 Wire Mill Road); June 13, 2023 (regular); June 27, 2023 (regular, last before July hiatus).