Stamford Planning Board Regular Meeting - March 27, 2024

Note: The transcript indicates the meeting was held on March 26, 2024, but the provided metadata states the meeting took place on March 27, 2024. This summary uses the provided date as instructed.

The Stamford Planning Board held a regular meeting via Zoom webinar. Chair Terry Dell presided, with members Stephen Peary, William Levin, Jennifer Godzino, Jay Tepper, and staff Lindsay Cohen and Ralph Blessing present. The meeting covered several zoning referrals, text changes, and variance requests, all of which were approved unanimously. The board also adjourned one item to a future public hearing.

Consent Calendar

• Planning Board Minutes (March 12, 2024): Approved unanimously.
• Parking Study Discussion: Pulled from the agenda; will be presented in May alongside the Vision Zero study.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were heard, as the meeting was not a public hearing. The board adjourned an ADU text change to April 30 to allow public testimony.

Discussion Items

• Zoning Board Referral – 208 West Avenue LLC (Map Change): The applicant proposed rezoning 208 West Avenue from RMF (Residential Multifamily) to NXD (Neighborhood Mixed Use Design) to allow a nine-unit apartment building (two 3-bedroom, seven 2-bedroom) on a consolidated lot. Staff noted alignment with Master Plan Category 13 and Policy 7H (infill development). The board approved the referral unanimously.
• Text Change – Non-Conforming Uses, Buildings, and Structures (ZB 22410): Ralph Blessing presented amendments to streamline regulations for non-conforming uses, align with state statute, and facilitate conversion of obsolete structures (e.g., office buildings). Key changes include clarifying rules for non-conforming buildings, introducing conditional subdivision concepts, and allowing special permit conversions. Approved unanimously.
• Zoning Board Referral – 986 Bedford Street (Special Permit – Public Charitable Institution): Family Centers, a 130-year-old nonprofit, sought a special permit to use a vacant building as a public charitable institution. The building was previously used as professional offices, which are permitted as-of-right, but the new use falls under a different category. No external changes are proposed. Approved unanimously.
• ZBA Referrals – Four Variance Requests:
  • 143 Myrtle Avenue (ZBA 01124): Variance for zero-foot rear setback (required 15 feet) to build a private car collection garage. The applicant previously missed ZBA meetings due to technical issues. Approved unanimously.
  • 15 Francis Avenue (ZBA 01224): Variances for front yard setback (26.9 ft vs. 30 ft required) and story height (7 ft 4 in vs. 8 ft maximum) to add a second-story addition with five bedrooms. The applicant noted the height difference is not externally visible. Approved unanimously.
  • 1353 High Ridge Road (ZBA 01324): Variance for front yard setback (32.5 ft vs. 40 ft required) to add a rear addition, necessitated by the house’s non-compliant front yard location and septic system constraints. Approved unanimously.
  • 130 Ravona Avenue (ZBA 01424): Variances for side yard setback (18 in vs. 5 ft required) and accessory structure height (22 ft vs. 15 ft allowed) to convert a garage into a home office. The board noted the height increase would not significantly impact density. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• All votes were unanimous: Minutes, map change, text change, special permit, and four variance referrals were approved without opposition.
• ADU Text Change (ZB 22409) Adjourned: The board continued this item to April 30, 2024, where it will be heard as a public hearing to allow public input.
• Next Meeting: Regular meeting on April 9, 2024; April 30 meeting will include the ADU public hearing; May 14 regular meeting; May 21 meeting will have a transportation bureau presentation (member Jennifer Godzino will be absent).