★ ★ ★PUBLICRECORDSEP 17 2025

OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Stamford Planning Board Public Hearing on Comprehensive Plan - September 17, 2025

Planning Board — Wednesday, September 17, 2025

BodyStamford, Connecticut

SessionPlanning Board

DateWednesday, September 17, 2025

StatusFILED

Video Record

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Transcript — Verbatim

0:03

I was told I could speak tonight.

0:05

I'm a clear speed.

0:06

And also in the live notice for today did clearly say that it was going to be one person.

0:15

But there was that we could speak at the end.

0:17

That was my understanding.

0:22

Well, they actually parent authority because she is your agent for communicating with the public.

0:30

When you knew this was going on and you knew it last week, you should have corrected it then, Ms.

0:35

Cohen.

0:36

Who also let the board of rects know that there was not going to be much development in North Stanford because North Stanford was opposed to it.

0:45

I'm trying to turn the I heard you should be able to do that.

0:49

And I just got to say I didn't appreciate the red baking of you.

0:54

I think we need to avoid that.

0:57

They said that you were a Marxist and I wanted to say some words in support of you for that.

1:03

Thank you.

1:08

So many times, please.

1:13

Okay.

1:15

Oh, actually, I need a close meeting.

1:19

Well, you have all right.

1:23

Um did she continue.

1:32

Okay.

1:34

All right, please please keep quiet as we finish our proceedings.

1:37

Thank you.

1:39

Um before I uh before we officially close the public hearing, um, I did I did want to just take note many people have asked about plans for traffic safety for parts for affordable housing for schools.

1:59

Um I just want to note and it referenced in the comprehensive plan.

2:03

We have a vision zero plan that is for traffic safety.

2:07

We have a parts strategic plan to increase the greening of the city.

2:12

We have an affordable housing plan.

2:14

We have a school facility plans.

2:16

So all of those plans do exist.

2:18

They are not all bundled into the comprehensive plan.

2:22

Um, but I just do want to note that those do exist because if you have questions or theories about them, those resources are there.

2:29

Um they're all on the the they're all on the land.

2:37

And if you're having trouble finding it, please feel free to reach out and we'll help you uh last yeah, did we need all right?

2:47

I see the title.

2:49

Um I just also want to note many people had wondered about infrastructure plans.

2:54

I will note that we're about to go into our annual capital budget cycle, and so that is the time at which we expect uh the capital needs of the city and infrastructure, though they're submitted by city departments and also we do look for the guidance of the comprehensive plan for the kinds of investments to uh prioritize again.

3:14

I you can only imagine how long this plan would get if we had to have engineering plans for every single potential uh change.

3:23

Um and so and encourage you to engage in that capital budget as well.

3:29

Um so as to the um the rest of this process, so the purpose of this um this hearing is to get uh public feedback as noted.

3:40

We through the feedback that we've already received have made changes, and we will continue to look at the plan um and compile the feedback that we've received here as well as in writing in order to make sure that the plan is clear.

3:53

Um and that the um that the plan is consistent with the values of preserving what is good about the city while also determining uh the best um and most logical and most sustainable places to direct room.

4:10

Um so with that, um as previously announced the planning board will uh convene again on September 30th uh to discuss the comprehensive plan, and that is where we will um have our discussion about adoption.

4:25

Are you still accepting written comments?

4:28

Leslie Kapp said yes, and I want to make sure that I got correct information.

4:33

Um I mean there's certainly nothing to stop you from continuing to email us.

4:38

I mean, but will they be part of the record or will they be well so for I mean the official procedure because uh we have a public hearing period?

4:50

That public hearing was really noticed.

4:52

Um, and so as I close the hearing, that um that closes sort of the the the public record of the hearing.

5:01

That said, again, there's nothing to stop you from continuing to email us.

5:05

Um and we'll continue to consider another draft of the demand or the final plan.

5:17

How will we know what the the board will actually be voting on?

5:22

Are they going to vote on the 30th?

5:24

Our intended to vote on the 30th.

5:26

Waiting number of the final plan that they will be voting on will that be.

5:31

So I will just note that again the official procedures is that we are to release um at least one draft for public review.

5:42

And we did that in July, and we've been refining as we go, which I'll notice actually not the way that the 2015 plan was developed.

5:52

Um you took in public comment and then they made a revision and then it was adopted.

5:59

So we're not been as controversial.

6:03

Uh uh, you know, um you're saying this is the last plan, what's published now is the final.

6:10

Is that what you're saying?

6:11

I'm not saying that this is going to be again.

6:14

We the master plan can be amended.

6:17

Well, I mean I know it can be amended throughout, but in terms of the decennial master plan, would it could there be amendments between today and the 30th?

6:28

It is it is our job as the planning board to take in all of the feedback that we've received, make any further recommendations so that it is approved to our satisfaction.

6:40

Can you keep the record open, the written record open through the end of the week?

6:45

I mean, that's I do administrative seats a lot in my day job, and that's pretty routine.

6:53

So I I'm gonna say the written record because if comments are sent in after the close of the hearing, you know, are those going those it's unclear whether that will be considered um for legal purposes, right?

7:10

So because of the structure, I mean what we're required to hold is a hearing, like a hearing in the is public and so we also accept written comment during that period.

7:26

Um again, you can continue to submit the comments, but I have to legally close the hearing.

7:32

And will those comments be considered or just written?

7:37

I mean we're we're reasonable people who want to know what people think.

7:42

Okay, so it's not so it's not like any less than will they be considered less than comments made before today?

7:51

I just I I think we're getting very semantic here.

7:54

I have to officially close the hearing.

7:57

Everything that's been received up until now, whether it's been by email or through the form that was that was put up on the website uh for plan review, all of those have been compiled um for all of our consideration to be included in all right, and uh it's the public hearing today as per the procedure that we need to follow.

8:22

So I'm gonna take attendance for tonight's meeting for how they volume in the crowd that was here.

8:29

Okay, I think is this I just want to make a statement.

8:33

Um can I just I I'm not just 50 people here at the 45th.

8:38

Go back to your governing body, which is the mayor, please report that after.

8:42

All right, I'm just gonna I'll also note we've said this previously.

8:46

Yeah, we receive spoken comment and we also receive written comment.

8:50

Um, right, not everybody can be at a Tuesday night hearing, right?

8:54

I'm appreciative that my husband was able to go to the middle school open house that was happening this evening so that I could run this meeting.

9:02

Okay, so and so we and so we weigh this feedback, we weigh all the written feedback that we've received.

9:08

We went all of the feedback that we received over really the past year through this process of of formulating conference.

9:18

So um with that I um I'd like a motion to close the public.

9:28

Um I'm I'm glad to I'm yeah, yeah, I just suggest you cut the baby in half since you go to meet on the 30th.

9:35

Keep the record open for comments in writing until the 23rd.

9:39

That's not asking a great deal.

9:44

I mean so out there, I I see no harm in that.

9:51

Very good, thank you.

9:52

I I'll say, like again, as a matter of just following the procedure that we're supposed to follow for the legal department, the the hearing is closed as of today, and again, we're reasonable people who want to hear feedback from all the years.

10:03

And again, we're reasonable people who want to hear feedback from all of you.

10:07

Um in order to have an adoption discussion on the 30th, though, we do need to be able to have enough time to process that.

10:15

So you know you can't submit something on the 29th and accept it to be incorporated.

10:19

Okay.

10:20

Well the 22nd, step the 23rd.

10:23

Um I have a motion to close the public hearing.

10:27

Um first.

10:29

Um second.

10:31

Um all in favor?

10:36

Thank you.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

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Summary of Proceedings

Stamford Planning Board Public Hearing on 2025-2035 Comprehensive Plan - September 17, 2025

The Planning Board held its second public hearing on the proposed 2025-2035 Comprehensive Plan. The meeting, originally noticed for September 16, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. (agenda date), is summarized here with the date provided by the user (2025-09-17 16:15:00+00:00). The hearing focused on changes from the September 9 hearing, public comment, and procedural next steps. The Board closed the public hearing and scheduled a discussion on adoption for September 30, 2025.

Public Comments & Testimony

One speaker expressed frustration about the meeting notice, stating that the live notice indicated only one person could speak, and that they believed they could speak at the end. The speaker also referenced that the Board had been told there would not be much development in North Stamford because of opposition. The speaker then made a supportive remark toward a Board member who had been called a Marxist, saying "I wanted to say some words in support of you for that." (Note: The transcript is fragmented; the identity and full context of this speaker are unclear.)
Several attendees asked about the status of written comments after the hearing. They requested that the written record remain open until at least September 22 or 23, 2025, so that additional feedback could be submitted before the adoption vote.

Discussion Items

The chair (likely Planning Board member) provided clarification on existing city plans that relate to topics raised in public testimony: a Vision Zero plan for traffic safety, a Parks Strategic Plan for greening, an Affordable Housing Plan, and School Facility Plans. The chair noted these are separate from the Comprehensive Plan but available for public review.
The chair also referenced the upcoming annual capital budget cycle, stating that infrastructure needs are submitted by departments and that the Comprehensive Plan guides prioritization. She encouraged public engagement in that process.
On the public record: The chair explained that the official public hearing period must be closed to adhere to legal procedures, but that the Board would still receive and consider emails submitted after the hearing, though they might not be part of the formal record. After a suggestion to keep the record open until the 23rd, the chair noted that submissions after the close would be considered, but the Board needs sufficient time to process feedback before the September 30 meeting.

Key Outcomes

The public hearing was officially closed via a motion, seconded, and carried. No vote tally is available from the transcript.
The Planning Board will reconvene on September 30, 2025, to discuss and vote on adoption of the Comprehensive Plan.
Written comments submitted after the hearing (including those sent by email) will be accepted and considered by the Board, though they may not be part of the official legal record. The Board cautioned that comments submitted very close to the adoption meeting (e.g., on September 29) may not be fully incorporated.

Meeting Transcript

I was told I could speak tonight. I'm a clear speed. And also in the live notice for today did clearly say that it was going to be one person. But there was that we could speak at the end. That was my understanding. Well, they actually parent authority because she is your agent for communicating with the public. When you knew this was going on and you knew it last week, you should have corrected it then, Ms. Cohen. Who also let the board of rects know that there was not going to be much development in North Stanford because North Stanford was opposed to it. I'm trying to turn the I heard you should be able to do that. And I just got to say I didn't appreciate the red baking of you. I think we need to avoid that. They said that you were a Marxist and I wanted to say some words in support of you for that. Thank you. So many times, please. Okay. Oh, actually, I need a close meeting. Well, you have all right. Um did she continue. Okay. All right, please please keep quiet as we finish our proceedings. Thank you. Um before I uh before we officially close the public hearing, um, I did I did want to just take note many people have asked about plans for traffic safety for parts for affordable housing for schools. Um I just want to note and it referenced in the comprehensive plan. We have a vision zero plan that is for traffic safety. We have a parts strategic plan to increase the greening of the city. We have an affordable housing plan. We have a school facility plans. So all of those plans do exist. They are not all bundled into the comprehensive plan. Um, but I just do want to note that those do exist because if you have questions or theories about them, those resources are there. Um they're all on the the they're all on the land. And if you're having trouble finding it, please feel free to reach out and we'll help you uh last yeah, did we need all right? I see the title. Um I just also want to note many people had wondered about infrastructure plans. I will note that we're about to go into our annual capital budget cycle, and so that is the time at which we expect uh the capital needs of the city and infrastructure, though they're submitted by city departments and also we do look for the guidance of the comprehensive plan for the kinds of investments to uh prioritize again. I you can only imagine how long this plan would get if we had to have engineering plans for every single potential uh change. Um and so and encourage you to engage in that capital budget as well. Um so as to the um the rest of this process, so the purpose of this um this hearing is to get uh public feedback as noted. We through the feedback that we've already received have made changes, and we will continue to look at the plan um and compile the feedback that we've received here as well as in writing in order to make sure that the plan is clear. Um and that the um that the plan is consistent with the values of preserving what is good about the city while also determining uh the best um and most logical and most sustainable places to direct room. Um so with that, um as previously announced the planning board will uh convene again on September 30th uh to discuss the comprehensive plan, and that is where we will um have our discussion about adoption. Are you still accepting written comments? Leslie Kapp said yes, and I want to make sure that I got correct information. Um I mean there's certainly nothing to stop you from continuing to email us. I mean, but will they be part of the record or will they be well so for I mean the official procedure because uh we have a public hearing period? That public hearing was really noticed. Um, and so as I close the hearing, that um that closes sort of the the the public record of the hearing. That said, again, there's nothing to stop you from continuing to email us. Um and we'll continue to consider another draft of the demand or the final plan.

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