Stamford Planning Board Regular Meeting and Public Hearings — August 30, 2023

The Stamford Planning Board met remotely on August 30, 2023, for a regular meeting and two public hearings. Chair Teresa Dell presided, with members Michael Totilo, Jennifer Gozino, William Levin, and Stephen Perry participating during portions of the meeting. Staff planner Lindsay Cohen assisted. The board approved two transportation capital projects, acted on two ZBA referrals, held hearings on two subdivisions, and deferred one ZBA item because the applicant was not present. Note: The transcript and public-hearing notices reference Tuesday, August 29, 2023, while the meeting timestamp supplied for this record is August 30, 2023; this summary uses the supplied date.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the draft minutes of the August 15, 2023 regular meeting (passed with three votes).
• Agreed to take the supplemental capital appropriation request for the Pacific Street project out of order before the citywide signals item.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Paul Arboy commented on the 503 Wire Mill Road subdivision, saying it looked straightforward but asking the board to consider traffic on the Wire Mill Road corridor, which is already busy and has construction at both ends.
• Judy Norinsky, for Historic Neighborhood Preservation, asked when construction would start because her group has an event at 61 Studio Court on October 22. The applicant said construction would not begin quickly and would likely wait for permits.
• Michael Kellogg said he was not against the 503 Wire Mill Road project but emphasized Wire Mill Road is a major and hazardous thoroughfare; he hoped construction would be delayed until High Ridge Road construction, including the Cedar Heights bridge closure, is completed.
• Laverne asked during the 0 Ursula Place hearing whether the new units would be Section 8 or for sale. The applicant responded that they are existing affordable rentals and will remain so.

Capital Appropriations and Transportation Items

• South End Transportation Improvement Plan — Pacific Street (CP 1461): Luke Buttonweiser, transportation planner, presented a $563,212 state grant from the Connecticut Office of Policy and Management for a complete-street / Vision Zero project on Pacific Street between Dock and Henry Streets. The project adds a raised crosswalk, a raised intersection, bump-outs, wider sidewalks, street trees, bioswales for stormwater management, and pedestrian lighting. The state pays 60 percent and the city’s 40 percent match is approximately $375,475. Approved unanimously.
• Citywide Signals — Washington and Tresser Boulevard (CP 56-174): Frank Batese, Bureau Chief of Transportation, Traffic and Parking, presented a $162,480 appropriation representing the final zoning contribution from the 100 Tresser Boulevard (The Smith) development for the traffic signal replacement at Washington and Tresser Boulevards. The signal is under construction. Approved unanimously.

Zoning Board of Appeals Referrals

• 21 Cold Spring Road (ZBA 02823): Michael E. Johnson Sr., representing the owners, requested a variance related to parking for a two-family dwelling. The board clarified that the application incorrectly described a conversion from single-family to two-family; the house already is a two-family, and no structural changes are proposed. The existing three nonconforming parking spaces are to remain, and the fourth existing space is to be allowed as nonconforming. The spaces are nonconforming due to front-yard location, setback issues, and one tandem space backing onto a major arterial. The board approved a modified referral stating no conversion is needed and the fourth space may remain nonconforming. Approved unanimously.
• 36 Rutz Street (ZBA 02923): The board considered a request by Rosalind Vassalatos to expand an existing 9-by-8-foot open porch to 12-by-22 feet and to allow a rear-yard setback of 7.8 feet instead of 30 feet. The applicant was not online. Staff noted the house and deck are already nonconforming, and raised concerns about further encroachment and lot coverage. Board members suggested widening the deck but not extending it deeper. The item was deferred to September 12, 2023, with the condition that the applicant attend to explain the need for the extra three feet. Approved the postponement unanimously.

Public Hearings: Master Plan and Subdivisions

• Master Plan Amendment MP 444 / Companion ZBA referral (961 Long Ridge Road and 60 Wire Mill Road): This item, previously continued from June 27, 2023, was continued again to September 26, 2023, at the request of Mr. Capalbo. Staff also reported that an incorrectly filed planning board certificate for the project would be voided and corrected on the land records by the end of the week.
• Subdivision 4048 — 503 Wire Mill Road LLC: The applicant proposed a three-lot subdivision of revised lot 3, approximately 3.6 acres, east of Wire Mill Road at the northerly tip of Studio Road. Three new homes would be accessed by a shared driveway extending Studio Road; the applicant would build the remaining road right-of-way and a 20,000-gallon cistern in the cul-de-sac, consistent with fire marshal comments. Board discussion focused on traffic, tree loss near the Exit 35 on-ramp, and protection of significant trees; staff noted an EPB recommendation list with 14 conditions. Public comments are summarized above. The board approved the subdivision with conditions 1-14 plus condition 15 requiring the listing of addresses from engineering. The vote passed, with William Levin abstaining because he was not comfortable that the driveway configuration minimized disruption to the tree canopy.
• Subdivision 4049 — Charter Oak Communities / Stamford Housing Authority, 0 Ursula Place: The applicant proposed subdividing the approximately 14.6-acre Oak Park property into four lots, primarily to create a separate financing lot for the first phase of redevelopment. The existing affordable rental community will be redeveloped with the same number of units, a different bedroom mix, increased parking, and flood-mitigation open space. The zoning approvals for the site plan were previously granted. Approved unanimously.

Other Business

• The board agreed to hold a closed session with the Law Department before the September 12, 2023 regular meeting to discuss marijuana dispensaries; the board was comfortable starting at 6:30 p.m. for that discussion.
• Capital budget update: The board’s recommendation letter will go out at the end of the week; first capital budget meetings will be held in October. The capital budget may be approximately $70 million to $75 million, with $35 million already committed to the Board of Education. The board is also beginning the consultant selection process for the new master plan, with an RFP expected in September and selection by the end of the year.

Key Outcomes

• Approved August 15, 2023 meeting minutes.
• Approved Pacific Street complete-street grant appropriation (CP 1461), $563,212.
• Approved citywide signals final contribution appropriation (CP 56-174), $162,480.
• Approved ZBA referral for 21 Cold Spring Road (ZBA 02823) with modified findings.
• Postponed 36 Rutz Street ZBA referral (ZBA 02923) to September 12, 2023, requiring applicant attendance.
• Continued MP 444 and companion ZBA referral to September 26, 2023.
• Approved Subdivision 4048 (503 Wire Mill Road) with conditions; Levin abstained.
• Approved Subdivision 4049 (0 Ursula Place) unanimously.