Stamford Planning Board Regular Meeting – February 14, 2024

This was a regular meeting of the Stamford Planning Board, held via Zoom on February 14, 2024 (the agenda listed February 13, 2024, but the transcript and user instructions indicate February 14 – Valentine's Day). The board reviewed and approved the 2024-2025 Capital Budget and Transmittal Letter, and considered two zoning board referrals: a historic preservation project at 1911 Summer Street and a hotel development at 0 West Park Place. Votes were taken on all items, and a new business request was made to invite the Transportation, Traffic & Parking Department to discuss downtown parking supply.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of January 30, 2024: Approved unanimously by a show of hands. (Board members absent from that meeting did not vote on the minutes.)

Discussion Items

• Capital Budget (Adjourned from February 6, 2024): Chair Teresa Dell presented a series of changes to the proposed 2024-2025 Capital Budget & 2025-2031 Capital Plan, aiming to stay within a safe debt limit of approximately $29 million. Key adjustments included:
  • Harry Bennett Branch Library: Reduced from $2 million to $250,000 for design and fundraising seed money.
  • Schofield Building Improvements: Reduced from $425,000 to $225,000 for chiller repairs and lighting.
  • Housing Development Fund: Increased from $1 million to $1.75 million, with $1 million earmarked for Stamford Manor.
  • Master Plan: Removed $100,000 (already funded by supplemental appropriations).
  • Electric Vehicle Charging Stations: Added $150,000 (moved from tier 3 to tier 1).
  • Street Patching & Resurfacing: Reduced from $6 million to $5.5 million.
  • Citywide Sidewalks: Reduced from $500,000 to $300,000.
  • Tree Pit Remediation: Reduced from $100,000 to $50,000.
  • Safe Routes to School: Increased from $800,000 to $1 million.
  • Strawberry Hill Road: Reduced from $1.5 million to $1 million, pending state grant.
  • Overall Needs Assessment (City Parks): Increased from $125,000 to $250,000, funded by reducing Cummings Beach from $1 million to $900,000. The final total bond amount was $28,804,504; overall capital budget $32,204,504. The board voted unanimously to approve the budget.
• Transmittal Letter to the Mayor: The letter was reviewed and approved with a minor amendment to project criteria bullet G (adding “funded or unfunded” balance). The letter will be dated February 14, 2024. Unanimous vote.
• Zoning Board Referral #223-39 & #223-40 – 1911 Summer Street: Two related applications: a text change to Section 7.3 of the Zoning Regulations (allowing the Zoning Board to reduce or waive certain parking setbacks, front yard setbacks, and usable open space dimensions for historic preservation projects) and a site & architectural plan for a five-unit townhouse addition and the historic house’s reconstruction. The applicant, represented by Attorney Jay Klein and architect Elena Kalman, described design revisions made after HPAC recommendations. The board praised the project’s sensitivity. Both motions passed unanimously.
• Zoning Board Referral #223-47 & #223-48 – 0 West Park Place: Two related applications: a text change to reduce hotel parking requirements (from 0.75 spaces per room to 0.25 spaces per room for small hotels in the CC district with a public garage within 500 feet) and a site plan for a 10-story, 95-room extended-stay hotel with ground-floor retail/restaurant. The applicant, Attorney Ray Mazzeo, argued that ample off-site parking is available (e.g., Bell Street Garage, private garages at 1010 and 1055 Washington Boulevard). Several board members expressed concern about relying on uncommitted private parking. The text change was approved 3-1-1 (Jennifer Godzino, Michael Totillo, Chair Dell in favor; Jay Tepper abstained; Michael Bacino opposed). The site plan motion was approved 3-2 (Jennifer Godzino, Michael Totillo, Chair Dell in favor; Jay Tepper and Michael Bacino opposed).

Key Outcomes

• Capital Budget 2024-2025 & 2025-2031 Capital Plan: Approved unanimously.
• Transmittal Letter to the Mayor: Approved unanimously with an amendment.
• Zoning Board Referral – Text Change (1911 Summer Street): Approved unanimously. Recommendation to the Zoning Board to adopt amendments to Section 7.3.
• Zoning Board Referral – Site Plan (1911 Summer Street): Approved unanimously. Recommendation to the Zoning Board to approve the special permit and CRI listing.
• Zoning Board Referral – Text Change (Hotel Parking): Approved 3-1-1. Recommendation to the Zoning Board to reduce parking requirements to 0.25 spaces per room.
• Zoning Board Referral – Site Plan (0 West Park Place): Approved 3-2. Recommendation to the Zoning Board to approve the 95-room hotel with conditions.
• New Business: Board agreed to invite the Transportation, Traffic & Parking Department to a future meeting to discuss opening up underutilized downtown parking spaces, as suggested by board members.

Note on date discrepancy: The agenda listed the meeting as February 13, 2024, but the transcript and user instructions place it on February 14, 2024 (Valentine's Day). The summary uses the date provided by the user.