Stamford Planning Board Public Hearing – January 24, 2024

Note: The agenda and transcript indicate the meeting occurred on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at 7:00 PM. The user-specified date of January 24, 2024, is used per instruction; this discrepancy is noted.

The Stamford Planning Board held a public hearing via Zoom to receive public testimony on the recommended 2024-2025 Capital Budget and Capital Plan for 2025-2031, and to present the City-Wide Parking Study. The board also approved minutes from prior meetings and scheduled a special meeting to finalize capital budget recommendations.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of November 28, 2023 (tabled from December 12, 2023): Approved unanimously. Alternates Bill Levin and Stephen Perry voted; Jennifer Godzino and Michael Totillo did not vote.
• Minutes of January 9, 2024: Approved unanimously. All members except Bill Levin (absent at that meeting) voted.

Public Comments & Testimony

Capital Budget (Public Hearing)

• Bridget Fox, Chief of Staff to Mayor Simmons: Expressed full support for the mayor’s $2 million capital request for two affordable housing projects (Housing Development Fund and Charter Oak). She noted the mayor’s executive order on affordable housing and emphasized the need for city investment. In response to a board question about potentially reducing the amount from $2M to $1M, Fox indicated she would be comfortable with $1M if another $13 million in housing funds materialized from a pending zoning board decision.
• Kylie Gosslin, CEO of Housing Development Fund: Supported the housing trust fund line item, describing a planned 40–45 unit affordable homeownership condominium project (targeting 60% and 80% of area median income). She explained that city funds are critical to leverage state and private resources, and that HDF is uniquely qualified through prior experience (Washington Crossing project) and homeownership counseling services.
• Jonathan Gottlieb, Charter Oak Communities: Requested $1 million for emergency repairs at Stamford Manor (215 units for very low-income seniors and disabled). He detailed the need to replace deteriorated exterior stairs and concrete walkways (total cost ~$3.3M), with $1.8M already secured from HUD capital funds. He noted the building will convert to Section 8 under RAD later in 2024, providing future revenue for repairs.
• Alice Nath, Library Representative: Thanked the board for $2 million allocated for the library and provided updates: flat roof repairs completed, small projects at Harry Bennett branch and main library. She noted the loss of a matching state grant and acknowledged the board may reduce the $2M allocation.
• Sue Halpern, 30 Elm Croft Road: Asked about the location of the 40–45 affordable housing units, referencing a prior application for 95 Elmcroft Road with only 25 units. The board had no immediate answer and promised to follow up.
• Angelo B, Bedford Street: Expressed concern about the board’s proposed cut to the Housing Development Fund from $2M to $1M, arguing the city is in a housing crisis and needs more investment. He also spoke in favor of traffic safety items: roadway design (CP 1281), Vision Zero Action Plan (CP 1358), Safe Routes to Schools (CP 5231), and Strawberry Hill Corridor improvements (CP 1290). He questioned whether cutting Strawberry Hill from $5M to $1.5M would jeopardize a $4M federal grant. Frank Patisse (traffic engineer) responded that the reduction would not disqualify the grant.
• Jordan Force: Also emphasized the danger of Strawberry Hill Avenue and asked why the citywide sidewalks reconstruction was cut from $1M to $500K. Chair Theresa Dell explained that an additional $300K in unfunded accounts brings the total to $800K.

City-Wide Parking Study (Public Hearing)

• Barry Michelson, Neighborhood Coalition: Expressed skepticism about reducing parking ratios, based on his experience on the zoning board. He argued that developers often under-provide parking, leading to on-street congestion. He also criticized roadway design elements like bump-outs as dangerous and poorly lit. He noted that a quick survey of his neighborhood coalition found no members participated in the study’s engagement.
• Sue Halpern, South End: Raised concerns about commercial trucks and out-of-state vehicles parking on residential streets, and questioned the finding of 800 unrestricted parking spaces in the South End.
• Angelo B: Supported reducing or eliminating parking requirements, citing the study’s finding of 12,000 empty parking spots downtown and the high cost of parking construction. He argued that many residents can live without cars and that mandates harm affordability. He noted that Norwalk recently eliminated downtown parking minimums.
• Paul Arvoy: Opposed narrowing roadways, arguing it would worsen traffic congestion. He advocated for more police enforcement and criticized Vision Zero as unrealistic.
• Monica Twall, Downtown resident: Defended school crossing guards after a board member’s earlier criticism, and reported parking issues on Tresser Boulevard and Washington Boulevard due to new apartment buildings. She also said bicycle lanes are dangerous for cyclists.
• Zachary Oberholzer, 2475 Summer Street: Argued that building more parking is counterproductive; the only solution is to promote mass transit, walking, and biking. He cited the study’s findings and said parking mandates have wasted space on Summer Street.
• Dave Adams: Commented that parking and traffic are inseparable, urging the board not to dismiss traffic-related comments.
• Helen Timberman (via chat): Asked about a deteriorated sidewalk on Glenbrook Road near Stark School. Luke Benthaus advised using the Fix It Stamford app.

Discussion Items

• Capital Budget Review: The board discussed the public testimony and noted that several capital items (housing, sidewalks, traffic safety) had been adjusted in their draft recommendations. Chair Dell indicated the board would revisit the budget in detail at a special meeting.
• City-Wide Parking Study Presentation: Luke Benthaus and Frank Patisse presented the study, which began in 2020. Key findings: ~12,000 publicly accessible parking spaces downtown (municipal and private), with significant underutilization; parking ratios for market-rate multifamily housing result in oversupply; proximity to transit reduces parking demand; opportunities for shared parking, payment-in-lieu-of-parking, and improved enforcement (e.g., license plate readers). Recommendations include updating zoning codes, expanding shared parking, and enhancing the residential parking permit program.
  • Board members asked questions about shared parking reluctance, Atlantic Station occupancy data, liability for city garages used by residents, and the need for follow-up on the residential permit program.
  • Jennifer Godzino noted that the study’s overall picture of oversupply remains valid despite population growth, but Michael Totillo argued that on-street parking in many neighborhoods feels more constrained.
• Scheduling: The board decided to hold a special meeting on February 6, 2024, at 6:30 PM to finalize the capital budget, rather than discussing it late on January 23. The capital budget recommendation must be sent to the mayor by February 15.

Key Outcomes

• Parking Study Accepted Unanimously: The board voted to accept the City-Wide Parking Study, with a motion by Jennifer Godzino, seconded by Michael B. All members voted in favor.
• Capital Budget Public Hearing Closed: The board deferred discussion of the capital budget to a special meeting on February 6, 2024, to allow more time for deliberation and review of the transmittal letter.
• Follow-up on Residential Parking Permit Program: The board directed staff to arrange a discussion with the traffic department on improving the residential parking permit system.
• Next Meetings: January 30, 2024 (regular meeting), February 6, 2024 (special meeting – capital budget only), February 13, 2024 (regular meeting – finalize capital budget), February 27, 2024 (regular meeting).