Stamford Planning Board Regular Meeting & Capital Budget - November 20, 2024
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Stamford Planning Board Regular Meeting & Capital Budget Review - November 20, 2024
The Stamford Planning Board held a regular meeting and capital budget review on November 20, 2024. The board approved the minutes from the November 12 meeting, considered one subdivision, received an update on the 2025-2035 Comprehensive Plan, heard seven capital budget presentations, approved a supplemental capital project for street paving, and acted on two Zoning Board of Appeals referrals.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes of November 12, 2024: Approved unanimously.
Discussion Items
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Subdivision #4055 – 35 Terrace Avenue: Applicant Frank Wayne Ranhosky proposed subdividing a 1-acre parcel into two lots in the R-10 zone. Staff noted the lot is oversized compared to neighbors, and the ZBA had already approved a variance for the second lot's frontage. The applicant stated the subdivision matches neighborhood character. The board approved the subdivision unanimously.
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2025-2035 Comprehensive Plan Update: The consulting team from Sasaki (Siki, Eliza Decker, Susanna Drake) presented a quarterly update. The plan covers six focus areas: sustainability, community well-being, mobility, housing, economic development, and infrastructure. They reported nearly 5,000 project impressions, 200+ attendees at the first open house, and engagement reaching a representative demographic sample. Emerging findings include Stanford's identity as a suburb vs. city, mobility challenges, population growth, and amenity access. Board members requested measurable metrics and suggested reviewing neighboring towns' plans. The update was informational; no vote taken.
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Capital Budget Presentations (fiscal year 2025-26):
- Operations – Fleet Management: William Klous and Brandon Mark requested $3.5 million for five electric refuse trucks as a pilot program. They highlighted noise reduction (70% quieter), environmental benefits, and a 45% state grant eligibility. Board members questioned cost (double a diesel truck), lack of clear payback period, and competitiveness with other fleet requests. The fleet manager noted other capital priorities are more critical. No vote taken.
- Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens: CEO Tracy Kay requested $300,000 for a horticultural complex (greenhouse/conservatory and pavilion) and $50,000 for maintenance building repairs. The arboretum is a city-owned 93-acre public green space recently named best in CT by HGTV. Cost increases due to delays and parcel consolidation issues were explained. Board recommended marking the pavilion request as a continuous project.
- Future5: Executive Director Amanda Dubois-Mwake requested $250,000 to outfit a new 7,500 sq ft space at 4 Landmark Square. The nonprofit serves 200 under-resourced high school students (with a waiting list of 100) and has a 99% graduation rate. Funds would cover furniture, technology, and moving costs. Board asked about private fundraising and in-kind contributions; partial funding acceptable. First-ever city funding request.
- Schofield Manor: Executive Director Natalie Coard requested $635,000: $355,000 for chiller/fan coil replacement, $135,000 for handrails, and $100,000 for site lighting/paving. The 50-bed residential care home is 90+ years old. A prior $200,000 allocation was insufficient due to underestimated costs; this request covers the full project. Board noted the need and requested clarification on prior year funding.
- Stamford Center for the Arts (Palace Theater): President/CEO Mike Moran requested $260,000 for historic plaster restoration, $250,000 for fire escape replacement, and $500,000 for EIFS repair on the Rich Forum. The theater is 97 years old; private fundraising raises ~$420,000 annually. Board asked for breakdown of private vs. city funds. No vote taken.
- Stamford Historical Society: Treasurer Bill Ainen requested funds for concrete repairs, lead/asbestos abatement, and parking lot paving. Estimates are low due to potential piggybacking on city contracts. No vote taken.
- Stamford Museum & Nature Center: CEO Melissa Mulrooney requested $175,000 for exterior wood trim, door replacement, AC unit replacement, and fence/tree work on the 118-acre campus. The museum serves 200,000 visitors annually and operates with city operating support of ~$1.3 million against a $4.7 million budget. No vote taken.
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Zoning Board of Appeals Referrals:
- ZBA #042-24 – 26 Pershing Avenue: Request for side yard setback variances for a two-car garage. Staff opposed, noting the applicant is also adding a full second floor, maximizing the site, and the request would change neighborhood character. The applicant was not present. Board denied unanimously.
- ZBA #044-24 – 9 Sherman Street: Request for front and side yard setback variances to add a second story. Staff supported, noting the existing home is legally nonconforming and the addition would reduce lot coverage. Board approved unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Approved: Subdivision #4055 (unanimous).
- Approved: Supplemental Capital Project C56182 – Street Patch & Resurfacing, $1.1 million (unanimous).
- Denied: ZBA #042-24 (unanimous).
- Approved: ZBA #044-24 (unanimous).
- No Decisions: Capital budget requests and Comprehensive Plan update—informational only.
- Next Meetings: December 10, 2024 (Capital Budget Review); December 17, 2024 (Regular Meeting & Public Hearing); January 7, 2025 (Regular Meeting & Public Hearing-Capital Budget).
Meeting Transcript
Well, we'll wait a minute and then officially start. Sounds good. Do you know if the board of reps members are uh they were sent a panelist to invite today? So they should be joining. Okay, but they're not in in the in the in the bullpen now is what I'm asking. No, no, I'm watching people in the bull pen. Um let me know when they come on because I don't want to welcome them when they're not here or ignore them when they are. Sure. Okay, Prasad gives us a uh a fourth. Um let's wait two or three minutes and then we'll we'll open it up if uh but why don't we open it now and we'll we'll let uh Jennifer and uh you'll let me know if the uh if the board of reps members um come on Lindsay. Yes, I will. I'm sorry. Yes, I will let you know. This is a regular okay. There's this is a regular meeting of the Stanford Planning Board. It is Tuesday, November 19th, and the time is 6 30 p.m. I would like to introduce myself. It's I'm Jay Tepper, the chair. Um Ravi Subramanian, regular member, Prasad Tunga, regular member, and Chester Salett alternate. Um we can do the uh the minutes of the previous meeting since all four of us here were there. Um are there any corrections to the minutes that were sent out to the meeting of November 12th? If not, I will entertain a motion to expand the November 12th meeting of the planning board. Gentlemen, can I have a hand moved by Gravy? Chet, don't want you, why don't you get your name in print and raise your hand second? Prasad B to it. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. Carried unanimously. Chet, do you have a question? Or seems like yeah, yeah, I do. I uh just to kind of process one. You know, when you said um uh there are uh all four of us, you know, can act on the minutes. It made me think that you were talking just about the full members. So that's why I didn't propose any motions. Um it was the I don't I don't I don't get your point. Oh uh um so uh uh on on minutes do you need uh five votes or or just four? A majority of those voting as long as it's a quorum. Okay, so technically you um and um and so alternates, there's no issue about um uh voting on minutes either. None. Okay. As long as there are uh well, we don't have five regular members. So as long as uh normally um the regular members would all five would vote, not having five regular members, uh the four vote and then one or uh uh both of the alternates as necessary. Uh um in introducing the meeting, I'd like to introduce myself. I'm Jay Tepper, Chair of the Planning Board. Jennifer Godzino is vice chair. Uh Prasad Tunga is secretary. Um Ravi Subramanian, a regular member, and Chet Sellett and Bill Levin are alternate members. We have we just uh approved the members the minutes of the last meeting. Um to the regular meeting, you regular items.
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