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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Stamford Planning Board Regular Meeting & Public Hearing - December 18, 2024

Planning Board — Wednesday, December 18, 2024

BodyStamford, Connecticut

SessionPlanning Board

DateWednesday, December 18, 2024

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 2:24:48

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:01

All right.

0:02

The webinar has started.

0:04

The attendees are joining.

0:14

Okay.

0:18

Okay.

0:19

It looks like most of the attendees have entered.

0:25

Do we have people presenters for most of the uh items on uh on the agenda?

0:33

Um, yes, many, many of the items.

0:36

Kind of uh yes, yes, we do.

0:43

Yep.

0:44

Okay.

0:45

And then we also yep, we're good to go.

0:50

Okay.

0:52

Where is my agenda here?

0:55

I would like to call to order the planning board meeting of Tuesday, December 17th, 2024.

1:03

Present are myself, Jay Teppert Chair, regular member Ravi Subramanian, alternates Chet Levin and Chet Sellett and William Levin.

1:16

Pardon me.

1:18

First item on the agenda are the minutes of the uh December 10th meeting.

1:25

Are there any questions?

1:29

If none, I will accept a motion for acceptance of the minutes of December 10th.

1:37

Do I have a motion moved by Ravi?

1:40

Seconded, are you scratching your head or seconding chet?

1:44

If you need a second, I'll second.

1:47

I was scratching my head.

1:48

Second by Chet.

1:49

All in favor, signify by raising your hand.

1:53

Carry unanimously.

1:56

First item on the agenda is a request of 1,250,000 for Stanford.

2:06

Is it pronounced Bias Wales or for the first time?

2:11

The City of Stanford Bias Wales Initiative will expand the footprint of green infrastructure throughout the city.

2:17

The new bias whales will filter and remove pollutants from stormwater runoff before these contaminants negatively impact water quality in receiving waters, including the Long Island Sound.

2:29

The intent of this project is to protect and improve the ecological and human health.

2:35

Federal funding will assist the city in siting design and construction of the structures, which can be carved out of public sidewalks by replacing impervious surfaces with plantings and landscape materials.

2:50

Each structure is generally four feet wide and 20 feet in length and will appear visually similar to small urban gardens.

2:58

The City of Stanford Stormwater Management Department will continue partnership efforts with the downtown special services district, who has assisted with watering and minor maintenance work at currently existing Ripuam Place Bioswale.

3:15

The United States EPA has awarded a million dollars in support of the effort.

3:20

The request for the city portion of cost of this share is 250,000.

3:27

Any questions?

3:31

If not, do I have a motion on supplemental project 001424?

3:40

Moved by Bill.

3:42

Seconded by Ravi, first uh all in favor, signify by raising your right hand saying aye.

3:51

Carry unanimously.

3:57

Now we get on to the heavier stuff.

4:02

Subdivisions.

4:03

Item one, subdivision 3901, reliance property group, contract purchaser 102 Hamilton Avenue, two lots.

4:12

Applicant is requesting to amend the conservation open space area of subdivision 3901 approved by the planning board on June 28, 2004.

4:24

The property is located in Master Category 113, Industrial General.

4:28

On June 28th, the planning board approved subdivision 3901, which divided a 12.87 acre parcel of land into two separate parcels, now known as 88 and 102 Hamilton Avenue.

4:43

Condition number one of the subdivision approval provides delineation of open space landscape areas to be maintained in a natural state is except may be authorized by the EPA EPB.

5:00

The area so designed is 8300 square feet and approved subdivision map depicts a 20-foot wide open space landscape area that runs along the 55-foot frontage of 88 and 102 Hamilton Avenue.

5:14

The request is still aligned with the intent of subdivision regulations increases the amount of open space set aside for permanent conservation.

5:23

While the habitat quality of the open space may not be high, it is aligned with the permanent conservation.

5:30

While the may not be high, it is aligned with the type location of open space originally approved and is existence in existence since 2005.

5:43

This past use and the future proposals are used or aligned with the land use envisioned for this site in the MP number 13 category being industrial general.

5:57

Do we have any questions?

6:00

Well, uh Bill Hennessy is here to uh present on the project.

6:05

So I'll um you've covered my comments, but um we'll get Bill, and I see Dan just raised his hand, so I'll promote him as well.

6:16

Thank you.

6:17

Yeah.

6:17

Mr.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Planning and Zoning████████████████████████24%

Housing████████████12%

Procedural███████████11%

Zoning██████████10%

Historic Preservation████████8%

Accessibility██████6%

Land Use Planning████4%

Pedestrian Safety████4%

Parking████4%

Summary of Proceedings

Stamford Planning Board Regular Meeting & Public Hearing - December 18, 2024

The Stamford Planning Board held a regular meeting and public hearing on December 18, 2024, via Zoom. The board reviewed and took action on several items, including a supplemental capital project for bioswales, a subdivision amendment, a master plan amendment and companion zoning change for a parking lot, a hotel conversion, and a rezoning and development plan for a townhome project. Votes and decisions are detailed below.

Consent Calendar

Minutes of December 10, 2024: Approved unanimously.
Supplemental Capital Project #001424 – Stamford Bioswales Initiative: Request for $1,250,000 ($1,000,000 EPA grant + $250,000 city share) to expand green infrastructure with bioswales to filter stormwater runoff. Approved unanimously.

Discussion Items

Subdivision #3901 – 102 Hamilton Avenue: Applicant requested to amend a conservation open space area (20-foot buffer along Hamilton Avenue) to allow a driveway relocation, substituting 690 sq. ft. of existing open space with about 3,500 sq. ft. of new open space to the east. The board discussed driveway placement, building height (up to 50 feet possible), and screening for neighboring residences. The applicant committed to landscaping and future site plan review. Approved unanimously.
Master Plan Amendment #MP-445 & Zoning Board Referral #224-34 – 19 Halpin Avenue: Applicant sought to change the master plan designation from Residential Low Density Single-Family (Category 2) to Commercial Arterial (Category 7) and rezone from R-7½ to C-N to allow an overflow parking lot (34 spaces) for the Bull’s Head Shopping Center. The presentation highlighted traffic congestion relief, landscaping, EV charging stations, and neighbor support (over 1,000 petition signatures). Board members raised concerns about pedestrian access and ADA parking location; the applicant agreed to add a sidewalk and adjust accessible spaces. The master plan amendment was approved unanimously; the zoning referral passed 3-1 (Chet Sellett opposed due to accessible parking concerns).
Zoning Board Referral #224-36 – 300 Main Street (Hotel Conversion): Applicant proposed converting existing office space into a 149-room hotel with 1,500 sq. ft. of meeting space, using existing parking garage (142 spaces, about double the required ratio). The project includes a two-story addition and renovation of the historic banking hall into a restaurant. The board noted consistency with downtown master plan goals. Approved unanimously.
Zoning Board Referrals #224-37 & #224-38 – 700 Fairfield Avenue (Toll Brothers): Applicant requested rezoning from IP-D to RM-1 and approval of a General Development Plan for 56 condominium townhomes (13 buildings, 2-car garages, driveway parking) on 8.6 acres, replacing a vacant office building. The project includes a clubhouse, pool, and about 40% open space. Traffic is projected to decrease 86-88% on weekdays; parking is 4+ spaces per unit. Six affordable units or a $2.5 million fee-in-lieu are proposed. Bill Levin opposed, citing garage-dominated streetscape and lack of usable play space for children. Both items passed 3-1.

Key Outcomes

Bioswales project: Approved unanimously.
Subdivision amendment: Approved unanimously.
Master Plan Amendment MP-445: Approved unanimously.
Zoning Referral 224-34 (19 Halpin Ave): Approved 3-1 (opposed: Chet Sellett).
Zoning Referral 224-36 (300 Main St hotel): Approved unanimously.
Zoning Referral 224-37 (700 Fairfield rezoning): Approved 3-1 (opposed: William Levin).
Zoning Referral 224-38 (GDP/Coastal Site Plan): Approved 3-1 (opposed: William Levin).
Next meetings: December 19 special meeting, January 7 regular meeting & public hearing on capital budget, January 28 regular meeting.

Meeting Transcript

All right. The webinar has started. The attendees are joining. Okay. Okay. It looks like most of the attendees have entered. Do we have people presenters for most of the uh items on uh on the agenda? Um, yes, many, many of the items. Kind of uh yes, yes, we do. Yep. Okay. And then we also yep, we're good to go. Okay. Where is my agenda here? I would like to call to order the planning board meeting of Tuesday, December 17th, 2024. Present are myself, Jay Teppert Chair, regular member Ravi Subramanian, alternates Chet Levin and Chet Sellett and William Levin. Pardon me. First item on the agenda are the minutes of the uh December 10th meeting. Are there any questions? If none, I will accept a motion for acceptance of the minutes of December 10th. Do I have a motion moved by Ravi? Seconded, are you scratching your head or seconding chet? If you need a second, I'll second. I was scratching my head. Second by Chet. All in favor, signify by raising your hand. Carry unanimously. First item on the agenda is a request of 1,250,000 for Stanford. Is it pronounced Bias Wales or for the first time? The City of Stanford Bias Wales Initiative will expand the footprint of green infrastructure throughout the city. The new bias whales will filter and remove pollutants from stormwater runoff before these contaminants negatively impact water quality in receiving waters, including the Long Island Sound. The intent of this project is to protect and improve the ecological and human health. Federal funding will assist the city in siting design and construction of the structures, which can be carved out of public sidewalks by replacing impervious surfaces with plantings and landscape materials. Each structure is generally four feet wide and 20 feet in length and will appear visually similar to small urban gardens. The City of Stanford Stormwater Management Department will continue partnership efforts with the downtown special services district, who has assisted with watering and minor maintenance work at currently existing Ripuam Place Bioswale. The United States EPA has awarded a million dollars in support of the effort. The request for the city portion of cost of this share is 250,000. Any questions? If not, do I have a motion on supplemental project 001424? Moved by Bill. Seconded by Ravi, first uh all in favor, signify by raising your right hand saying aye. Carry unanimously. Now we get on to the heavier stuff. Subdivisions. Item one, subdivision 3901, reliance property group, contract purchaser 102 Hamilton Avenue, two lots. Applicant is requesting to amend the conservation open space area of subdivision 3901 approved by the planning board on June 28, 2004. The property is located in Master Category 113, Industrial General. On June 28th, the planning board approved subdivision 3901, which divided a 12.87 acre parcel of land into two separate parcels, now known as 88 and 102 Hamilton Avenue. Condition number one of the subdivision approval provides delineation of open space landscape areas to be maintained in a natural state is except may be authorized by the EPA EPB. The area so designed is 8300 square feet and approved subdivision map depicts a 20-foot wide open space landscape area that runs along the 55-foot frontage of 88 and 102 Hamilton Avenue.

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