Stamford Planning Board Meeting (May 21, 2025)

The Stamford Planning Board convened on May 21, 2025, at approximately 6:15 PM via videoconference, with initial technical difficulties. The board addressed several zoning applications and a school capital project. Note: The chair referenced the meeting as "May 20th" during the proceedings, but the recorded date is May 21, 2025.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes: The board unanimously approved the April 2, 2025 meeting minutes.

Capital Project Cooperation Request: Turn of River HVAC Controls (ZB Application 225-11)

• Catherine Wobalbo (Director of School Construction) and Mike Smith (Director of Facilities for Capital Projects) presented a request for $762,000 in bond funding for Phase II replacement of pneumatic HVAC controls. Through re-bidding and scope restructuring, the project cost was reduced from $1.2 million to a $712,000 base bid plus a 7% ($50,000) contingency. Mike Smith noted a typical payback of 18–20 years, potentially 15 years, and operational benefits including improved classroom comfort and protection of unit ventilator coils. The board voted unanimously to approve the request.

Zoning Referral: Carriage House Conversion (68 Leonard Street, ZB Application 225-11)

• John FX Leyden, representing AC Leonard, LLC, proposed converting a historic 1895 carriage house loft into a residential studio unit. The applicant received positive support from the Historical Preservation Advisory Commission and agreed to modify a doorway and add green space. Parking was revised to four standard spaces. The board voted unanimously to recommend approval to the Zoning Board.

Site Plan & Special Permit: Self-Storage Building (35 Commerce Road, CP Application 225-12)

• Jason Klein (Carmody Law) presented plans for a three-story, 40-foot tall self-storage building on an existing self-storage site. The project includes 43 parking spaces (including EV charging and bike parking), ADA-accessible sidewalks and crosswalks, and street trees. Klein emphasized that the infill development meets demand without displacing other potential uses. The board voted unanimously to approve.

Zoning Variances

• 25 Carroll Street (ZBA Application 11-25): Variances requested for front yard setbacks (24.45 ft vs. 30 ft required on Carroll Street; 15.2 ft vs. 30 ft on Knapp Street) and street center setbacks (44.45 ft vs. 55 ft; 35.2 ft vs. 55 ft) to allow renovation and a second-story addition. No applicant representative was present. The board voted unanimously to approve.
• 31 Hobson Street (ZBA Application 12-25): George Zaki presented a revised plan to widen an existing garage by four feet and add a second story to improve safety and aesthetics. Variances requested for the street line setback on Brightside Drive (16.7 ft vs. 40 ft required) and street center setback (41.7 ft vs. 65 ft required). The board voted unanimously to approve.

Continued Application: McDonald's Drive-Through Expansion (ZBA Application 13-25) – Tabled

• Applicant representative Christopher Russo was not present; civil engineer Tariq and traffic engineer Ethan attended but lacked the full application history and an updated traffic report. The board discussed the application’s history: originally the signage component was approved in February 2023, and the full application was tabled in October 2024 pending comments from the Transportation and Traffic Bureau (TTP). Chair Fergena noted that signage was not the primary concern but rather traffic impacts and induced demand. The board voted unanimously to table the item again until TTP comments and an updated traffic report are provided.

Next Meetings and Adjournment

• The next regularly scheduled meetings are June 10 (regular meeting and public hearing) and June 24 (regular meeting). The board will take a hiatus in July and return in August. The meeting adjourned at 7:30 PM.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous approval of April 2 meeting minutes.
• Unanimous approval of Turn of River HVAC capital project request.
• Unanimous recommendation to Zoning Board for carriage house conversion.
• Unanimous approval of self-storage building site plan and special permit.
• Unanimous approval of variances for 25 Carroll Street and 31 Hobson Street.
• Unanimous vote to table McDonald's drive-through application pending additional traffic data.