OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Stamford Planning Board Meeting - February 25, 2026

Planning Board — Wednesday, February 25, 2026
BodyStamford, Connecticut
SessionPlanning Board
DateWednesday, February 25, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 47:43

Transcript — Verbatim
0:08

Evening.

0:09

This is the February 24th.

0:12

I don't think we can really officially start the meeting yet until Jeremy's on.

0:16

Okay.

0:16

I wasn't sure if I would start it and then note that we don't have quorum yet.

0:20

But yeah, I mean you could, yeah, yes, yes, you could do that.

0:25

Yes, you could do that because I know the zoning board of appeals even goes so far as um they even hear applications, but they just don't vote on them.

0:36

I think so.

0:38

Yeah, so we can um go so far as introducing the first agenda item.

0:45

So okay.

0:46

Sure.

0:47

Um so I can do that.

0:49

Um this evening, uh the Tuesday 20 February 24th meeting of the Stanford Planning Board.

0:56

Um, we currently have two of our full members on, and so uh we need a third in order to be able to vote on items and have quorum.

1:04

Um in the meantime, uh I think we can go ahead and at least review um the first item, uh, which is the planning board minutes from uh February 10th.

1:18

Uh Bravi, did you have any uh questions or amendments about the minutes from does it I guess we can even if we hear the presentation on Mill Road over Brook Fridge, uh we can't vote unless I've heard the presentation, correct?

1:48

Yeah, yeah.

1:50

That's what Tony's here for.

1:52

He's in it, the attendees.

1:54

Got it.

1:55

Okay.

1:58

Should I bring him forward?

1:59

Or I mean, well, sorry.

2:01

Uh right.

2:02

I think if Jeremy hasn't heard the item, then he can't vote on it.

2:05

So we let me for a moment.

2:11

Yeah.

2:12

I'll also look for um oh there we go.

2:15

There we go.

2:15

Perfect.

2:18

And the dog is in the perfect little corner.

2:22

So great.

2:24

All right.

2:26

Okay.

2:27

Jeremy.

2:27

So we now have quorum.

2:29

Thank you.

2:29

Um, another of our members just uh um apparently spent over 24 hours trying to get home because of the snowstorm.

2:39

So it is the three of us this evening.

2:43

I would have hated that.

2:44

Absolutely.

2:45

Just I would have been at the end of my my limit.

2:53

Um so Jeremy, we just had uh raised the item of the planning board minutes from our February 10th meeting.

3:02

Uh did you have any questions or clarifications about the February 10th minutes?

3:12

Okay.

3:13

Um let me just make sure to check the attendees.

3:16

All right.

3:17

Um, so uh hearing none, I'd have a motion on the minutes for February 10th.

3:24

Ravi move approval.

3:26

We have a second.

3:28

And passes unanimously.

3:31

All right, thank you.

3:33

Um our next item um is under uh capital budget.

3:40

Um is an additional request from the mayor to be added to the capital budget as follows.

3:46

Uh Mill Road over Brookbridge uh number one three five zero zero eight.

3:52

Um that's the bridge number.

3:54

The project number is CP 4000, and the amount of one million dollars, of which 500,000 is uh bonds and 500,000 is a state grant.

4:10

Um I'll just read the first couple of sentences and then I think we can hear the rest of it and presentation.

4:18

Um so the purpose of this project is to replace bridge number 13508, which is structurally deficient.

4:25

The existing bridge was built in 1960.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Planning and Zoning█████████████████████████████████████████████60%
Procedural████████████16%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████8%
Budget Equity Analysis██████8%
Affordable Housing█████7%
Aging█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Stamford Planning Board Meeting

This meeting of the Stamford Planning Board took place on Tuesday, February 25, 2026. The board convened with three members present and addressed a capital budget addition, multiple zoning board of appeals (ZBA) referrals, and routine approvals. Key actions included unanimous approval of a capital budget item for bridge replacement and split recommendations on several variance applications.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of February 10, 2026 Minutes: The board unanimously approved the minutes from the prior meeting.

Discussion Items

  • Capital Budget Addition – Mill Road over Brookbridge (Project CP 4000, Bridge #13508): The mayor requested adding $1 million (split 50/50 between bonds and a state grant) to replace a structurally deficient bridge built in 1960. The project is currently partially closed. Board members discussed the process (supplementary appropriation vs. capital budget), and the item was approved unanimously (moved by Ravi, seconded, all in favor). The board noted the $500,000 bond impact but confirmed the addition is at the mayor's level and does not affect the board's own budget.
  • ZBA Application 010-26 – M. Rachim at 0 Fairfield Avenue (Lot 1): Applicant proposes a two-family dwelling on a 4,972 sq ft lot (R-5 zone requires 6,000 sq ft for a two-family). The lot is vacant and has been used for dumping. Applicant provided 4 parking spaces (including two for an adjacent lot they own) and an open greenway. Board members expressed concern about setting a precedent for a significant lot size variance (about 17% below minimum). The board recommended denial (unanimous), citing no hardship and the need for uniform zoning changes rather than spot variances.
  • ZBA Application 011-26 – Paul Publis at 36 Congress Street: Applicant seeks a front yard setback variance of 5.1 ft (required 25 ft) on Keith Street for an addition. The property is in the R-2 zone, and the existing dwelling is legally non-conforming due to the corner lot definition. Board recommended approval (unanimous).
  • ZBA Application 012-26 – William Hayed for Sharon Axe at 41 Idlewood Place: Applicant requests a rear yard setback variance of 24.6 ft (required 30 ft) to expand a sunroom/enclosed space. The property is in R-2 zone. Board recommended approval (unanimous).
  • ZBA Application 013-26 – Anna and Cliff Blaze at 75 C Beach Drive: Applicant proposes a first-floor bedroom and bathroom addition for elderly parents (ages 83 and 87) and a second-story addition. The variance requested is for lot coverage: 51.6% (proposed) vs. 20% maximum, with 49.5% existing. The building coverage remains under 20%. The property is in R-1 zone and near Long Island Sound. Board members acknowledged the compelling personal hardship but noted the small increase (2.1%) and encouraged runoff mitigation. Recommended approval (unanimous) with a note to consider reducing impervious surface impacts.
  • Variance Not on Agenda – Family Centers at 986 Bedford Street: A sign variance was not referred to the Planning Board because it does not affect density, bulk, or parking. The item was pulled from the agenda.

Key Outcomes

  • Capital Budget Addition: Approved unanimously for Mill Road bridge replacement.
  • ZBA Application 010-26 (0 Fairfield Avenue): Recommended denial (unanimous) – lot size variance deemed too large to set precedent; board suggested comprehensive zoning review instead.
  • ZBA Application 011-26 (36 Congress Street): Recommended approval (unanimous).
  • ZBA Application 012-26 (41 Idlewood Place): Recommended approval (unanimous).
  • ZBA Application 013-26 (75 C Beach Drive): Recommended approval (unanimous) with encouragement to address stormwater runoff.
  • Next Meetings: March 10, March 24, and April 14, 2026 (confirmed no conflict with spring break).

Note: The meeting date from the transcript is February 24, but the user specified February 25, 2026. The summary uses the specified date.

Meeting Transcript

Evening. This is the February 24th. I don't think we can really officially start the meeting yet until Jeremy's on. Okay. I wasn't sure if I would start it and then note that we don't have quorum yet. But yeah, I mean you could, yeah, yes, yes, you could do that. Yes, you could do that because I know the zoning board of appeals even goes so far as um they even hear applications, but they just don't vote on them. I think so. Yeah, so we can um go so far as introducing the first agenda item. So okay. Sure. Um so I can do that. Um this evening, uh the Tuesday 20 February 24th meeting of the Stanford Planning Board. Um, we currently have two of our full members on, and so uh we need a third in order to be able to vote on items and have quorum. Um in the meantime, uh I think we can go ahead and at least review um the first item, uh, which is the planning board minutes from uh February 10th. Uh Bravi, did you have any uh questions or amendments about the minutes from does it I guess we can even if we hear the presentation on Mill Road over Brook Fridge, uh we can't vote unless I've heard the presentation, correct? Yeah, yeah. That's what Tony's here for. He's in it, the attendees. Got it. Okay. Should I bring him forward? Or I mean, well, sorry. Uh right. I think if Jeremy hasn't heard the item, then he can't vote on it. So we let me for a moment. Yeah. I'll also look for um oh there we go. There we go. Perfect. And the dog is in the perfect little corner. So great. All right. Okay. Jeremy. So we now have quorum. Thank you. Um, another of our members just uh um apparently spent over 24 hours trying to get home because of the snowstorm. So it is the three of us this evening. I would have hated that. Absolutely. Just I would have been at the end of my my limit. Um so Jeremy, we just had uh raised the item of the planning board minutes from our February 10th meeting. Uh did you have any questions or clarifications about the February 10th minutes? Okay. Um let me just make sure to check the attendees. All right. Um, so uh hearing none, I'd have a motion on the minutes for February 10th. Ravi move approval. We have a second.

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