Stamford Planning Board Regular Meeting & Capital Budget - October 25, 2023

The Stamford Planning Board held a regular meeting and capital budget session on October 25, 2023 (the agenda listed October 24, 2023). The meeting was conducted via Zoom, beginning at 6:30 PM. Chair Terry Dell presided, with Vice Chair Jay Tepper, Members Michael Totillo, Stephen Perry (voting alternate), and William Levin present. Lindsay Cohen (Associate Planner) and Mary Fidelity (Board of Representatives) also attended. The board reviewed capital budget requests for fiscal year 2024–2025 totaling approximately $70–75 million and heard a Zoning Board of Appeals referral.

Consent Calendar

• The board approved the draft minutes of the October 17, 2023 meeting by a motion (Jay Tepper, second Stephen Perry). The vote passed 3–0 (Terry Dell, Jay Tepper, Stephen Perry voting; Michael Totillo and William Levin did not vote because they were absent at the prior meeting).

Public Comments & Testimony

No public comments were received.

Discussion Items

Capital Budget Overview

Chair Dell noted that the first $35 million of the capital budget goes to the Board of Education for school renovations, leaving approximately $35 million for other city projects. About $5 million of that is needed to complete the payroll system and other prior commitments. Because the city audit has not concluded, capital funds approved last year have not been issued but are expected to become available in spring 2024. The chair introduced a prioritization system: Category 1 (essential), Category 2 (Mayor's projects), Category 3 (worthy but not requested by Mayor), Category 4 (deferred).

Fleet Management (William Klous)

• Short-Term Equipment (C65202): $1.2 million for parks and road maintenance equipment. The fleet averages 13.5 years in age, well past its useful life, resulting in increasing maintenance costs and downtime.
• Vehicle Replacement (C65200): $3.5 million, primarily for refuse trucks (average 10.5 years, 15,000+ hours equivalent to 500,000 miles) and heavy‑duty plow trucks (average 12.5 years).
• The board indicated it will provide a lump sum and let the fleet manager prioritize vehicles.

Solar Array atop Vehicle Maintenance Building (Lou Casolo, City Engineer)

• $552,000 for a solar array on the recently replaced roof. Payback of approximately 9 years with an 11% rate of return, including 30% tax credits.
• Questions about how tax credits apply to a tax‑exempt entity and whether the building's consumption matches generation. Casolo will provide answers by the November 21 call‑back meeting.

Parks and Recreation (Kevin Murray)

• Terry Conners Rink: $100,000 for a low‑E thermal ceiling in FY25‑26 and a $780,000 placeholder for floor replacement in FY27‑28.
• E.G. Brennan Golf Course: $250,000 for clubhouse upgrades, netting (estimated $75,000–$100,000), and parking lot paving (lower lot). The board suggested deferring the parking lot if needed.
• Marina Dock Upgrades: $1 million for the CISIC marina, with the existing account balance directed to Cove Island dock and piling repairs. The chair noted this may qualify as a "Mayor's project."
• Cummings Park Beach: $3.3 million for phase two (entry circle, parking, Conte building). The board recommended $1 million this year and the remainder in out‑years.
• Scalley Park Tennis Courts: $1.4 million for post‑tension concrete resurfacing of 12 courts. A video showed extensive cracking. Utilization is year‑round with lessons and leagues. The board will consider the request.
• West Beach Park (new): $1.3 million for turf field replacement.
• Playground Rehabilitation: $100,000 annually for 20 playgrounds.
• Cove Island Park Tennis Courts: $425,000, of which $350,000 is for court resurfacing.
• Casa Cisco (Czescik) Park: $75,000 for parking lot, access road, and lighting upgrades. The board prioritized lighting over parking.
• Parks Fencing: $50,000 for citywide fencing and guardrails.
• Barrett Park: $350,000 (in addition to a $500,000 grant) for a classroom and bathroom space.
• Northrop Park: $750,000 for a new playground and basketball court at Stark School.
• Chestnut Hill Park (Susan Nabel): $75,000 for stone wall perimeter upgrades.
• Citywide Tree Planting: $50,000 annually.
• Fort Stamford: $150,000 requested for driveway and parking lot. The board suggested reallocating $50,000 for design development and $100,000 for construction, prioritizing building and bathroom upgrades for community use.
• Park Amenities Upgrades: $50,000 for picnic tables, grills, benches, signage.
• Nameton Park (Phil J. Giordano Playground): Design and construction to be phased similarly to Fort Stamford.
• The chair cautioned that parks funding has been limited in lean budget years, but noted that the city's per‑capita park investment ($70) is well below the median of $108 for the 100 largest U.S. cities.

Engineering (Lou Casolo)

• Major Bridge Repairs (Priority 1): $952,000 to design six smaller bridges. Total replacement cost for the six bridges is approximately $16 million. The state's Local Bridge Program has limited funds and has not funded Stamford's past applications. The board questioned whether this should remain priority one given its scale.
• John Pacuzie Park (Soundwaters): $600,000 to complete phase one (entrance reconfiguration, cul‑de‑sac, dunescape, lighting). Bids received in August totaled $1.7 million, but only $1.2 million was available.
• Citywide Roadway Correction: $100,000 annually. The current balance is being used for emergency repairs on Farms Road after the September storm.
• Yearwood Center: Roof replacement and mechanical upgrades; solar panel potential is under analysis.
• Cascade Road Bridge (out years): $1.7 million design in FY25‑26 and $3.7 million construction in FY26‑27, assuming 50% grant funding.
• Citywide Storm Drains: Sufficient balance for ongoing projects.
• Street Lighting Infrastructure: Already received additional $2 million authorization; a grant application is under review.

Land Use (Ralph Blessing and Erin)

• Comprehensive Plan (Master Plan): $100,000 placeholder (total estimated $400,000–$500,000; $250,000 already in account). An RFP is due November 2.
• Overall Needs Assessment for City Fields: $200,000 to evaluate all athletic fields, facilities, and management structures.
• Citywide Invasive Species Plan: $95,000 for the first year of control (proposed as short‑term, 5‑year capital). The board debated whether this should be operating but agreed to treat it as a one‑time cleanup, with $50,000 placeholders in out‑years. Erin noted that invasive species like porcelain berry and Japanese knotweed are rendering parks unusable; the problem will worsen without action.

Maintenance Facilities (Scott Butch)

• Building and Energy Management Systems (BMS): Upgrade at Government Center, install at Old Town Hall, and expand at Police and Fire departments. Critical for the mayor's climate action plan.
• Energy and Sustainability Audits (ASHRAE Level 2): At Government Center and Police Department, plus $23,000 for sustainability program development.
• Plumbing and Sewer Pipe Replacement: Program to replace aging lines in city buildings (as opposed to cleaning).
• Roof Replacement: $200,000 for the Curtain Call dressing room theater roof and $100,000 for general roof repairs.
• Electric Vehicle Charging Stations: $375,000 to install chargers for city fleet as part of an EV strategic plan.
• Heating System Replacement: $420,000 for a new boiler at the Facilities building.
• ADA Compliance: $137,500 for an elevator at Yearwood Center; ongoing program to comply with 2016 study recommendations.
• Life Safety System Upgrades: Program for fire panels and strobes.
• Garage Door Replacement: 156 city doors at an estimated $2,300 each. The board recommended starting with $50,000 for the most critical replacements.
• Efficiency Window Replacement: Program to replace old windows; the board noted cost savings.
• Flooring Replacement: Replace original carpet and vinyl at Government Center to address safety hazards (trip and fall from exposed wires).
• Fixtures, Furnishings & Equipment (FF&E): Program to upgrade across all 71 city facilities (1.9 million sq. ft.).
• Curtain Call Renovations: Stage refinishing and winch motor replacement. The board moved this project up to priority #9 (from #13) due to its community use.

Traffic & Road Maintenance (Tom Turk absent; discussion led by board)

• Street Patch & Resurfacing: $10 million requested. The board suggested $5–6 million.
• Citywide Manholes: $1 million requested; board likely to reduce.
• Citywide Sidewalks: $300,000 (consistent with prior year).
• Road Paving & Drainage: $500,000 (the mayor added this amount last year when the board did not fund it).
• Tree Pit Remediation: $100,000 (continuation).
• Guardrails: Previously unfunded; board suggested adding funds.

Zoning Board of Appeals Referral

ZBA Application #038‑23 – 299 Bayberry Drive The applicant seeks variances to replace an existing entry porch (6 ft 7 in × 3 ft 8 in) with a larger covered porch (15 ft 5¾ in × 8 ft 2½ in) and construct an eave extension over stairs (11 ft 7 in × 11 ft 6 in). Nine variances are required for front street line, front street center, and side yard setbacks, with encroachments ranging from 0.4 ft to 18.2 ft less than required. The property is in Master Plan Category Two (low‑density residential). Staff recommended approval, describing the proposal as modest and consistent with the neighborhood. The board voted unanimously (all present) to support the variances.

Old Business

No formal items; the chair noted that the Zoning Board of Appeals denied a previous variance application for Washington Boulevard, which the Planning Board had considered too encroaching.

New Business

The board scheduled future meetings: November 14 (capital budget – Board of Education, WPCA, Fire, Solid Waste); November 21 (call‑backs for capital items); November 28 (regular meeting and public hearing); December 12 (final capital budget deliberation and approval).

Key Outcomes

• Minutes Approval: Passed 3–0.
• ZBA Referral: Approved unanimously.
• Capital Budget Guidance: No formal votes were taken on specific requests. The board provided direction on amounts, priorities, and phasing (e.g., $1 million for Cummings Park, $50,000 for Fort Stamford design, moving Curtain Call up in priority). Final adoption is scheduled for December 12, 2023.
• Future Meetings: Dates confirmed as above.