Stanford Planning Board Regular Meeting and Public Hearing - June 24, 2026

The Stanford Planning Board held a regular meeting and public hearing on June 24, 2026, convened at 6:30 PM by Vice Chairman Jeremy Linder. Members present: Jeremy Linder (Vice Chair), Chet Sallett, and alternate Ashley Lai (voting member). The meeting covered two subdivision applications, a public hearing, and two zoning board referrals. Key actions included tabling a subdivision modification, approving a two-lot subdivision, approving a five-lot subdivision after public comment, and forwarding recommendations on a zoning map change and text amendment.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from June 9, 2026: Approved unanimously without comment or question.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Subdivision 4062 (20 West Haviland Lane): Several neighbors spoke during the public hearing:

  • Mike Miller (90 West Haviland Lane) expressed support but questioned fire protection (no cistern/hydrant shown) and the private right-of-way crossing a seasonal stream.
  • Lawrence Cryer (adjacent neighbor) asked about driveway widening and runoff protection for the adjacent stream.
  • Lauren Fredet (130 West Haviland Lane) supported the project but asked about visibility of proposed homes from West Haviland Lane backyards.
  • Andrew Chuckas (48 West Haviland Lane) asked about changes to the entrance and runoff management.
  • Edward Hannigan (148 West Haviland Lane) supported beautification and asked if the proposed sport court would be used for pickleball (noise concern).
  • Jeff Cohen (neighbor) asked if the development would be gated and if dog walking would be allowed.

  All commenters expressed general support for redeveloping the blighted former Twin Lakes Swim Club site but raised specific design and safety questions.

Discussion Items

• Subdivision 3098 (South Lake Drive) – Modification: The applicant requested a table to August 11, 2026, to correct noticing issues (needed two separate subdivision modifications). Board unanimously tabled.
• Subdivision 4063 (13 Watermill Road) – Two Lots: Leonard D'Andrea presented a proposal to subdivide a 31,158 sq ft parcel into two lots (Lot 44: 10,127 sq ft; Lot 45: 21,092 sq ft) in the R-10 zone. Both lots exceed minimum size and frontage. A conservation easement (11.2% of site) is proposed on east and south lines. Existing dwelling on Lot 45 will be retained temporarily. Staff comments were addressed. Board approved unanimously.
• Subdivision 4062 (20 West Haviland Lane) – Five Lots: John Leyden presented a proposal to subdivide 14 acres (former Twin Lakes Swim Club) into five lots averaging 2.8 acres in RA-1 zone. The plan is nearly identical to a 2015 approval that was never built. A slight modification to the conservation easement (adding net area) and correction of a lot line to avoid creating a non-conformity. Existing buildings will be demolished; roadway will be private (20 ft wide); drainage improvements include retention under cul-de-sac. Following public comments, the board discussed fire protection (no cistern needed per updated fire marshal standards), concerns about losing historic character, and the balance between lot count and preserving natural features. The board noted the site could have accommodated one or two more lots but appreciated the quality-over-quantity approach. Unanimously approved.
• Zoning Board Referral ZB 226-12 – Map Change to VC2 (Pacific Street): Ralph Blessing (City Planning) presented a proposal to rezone ~8 blocks along Pacific Street from R-MF and C-B to Village Commercial-2 (VC-2). Goal: revitalize Pacific Street as a neighborhood main street with ground-floor retail and apartments, while maintaining low-rise scale (max 5 stories on commercial streets, 4 on side streets). The analysis identified seven “soft sites” likely to redevelop, which could yield up to 345 residential units vs. 114 under current zoning. A soft site is a parcel ≥10,000 sq ft with ≤50% of proposed density built. Discussion focused on potential impact on historic residential structures on Garden and Henry Streets (currently in historic district). Vice Chairman Linder expressed concern that redeveloping whole blocks could lead to demolition of historic homes. Blessing noted that VC-2 allows commercial uses only on designated commercial streets (Pacific), and side streets remain residential in character; additionally, VC-2 requires site plan review (architectural control) unlike as-of-right R-MF. He suggested the board could recommend excluding Garden and Henry from the rezoning. The board moved to approve the recommendation to the Zoning Board with a suggestion to consider modifying the boundary to keep historic residential lots on Garden and Henry in the R-MF district.
• Zoning Board Referral ZB 226-13 – Text Change (Commercial Street Designation): This companion application designates Pacific Street between Atlantic and Dock Streets as a commercial street, allowing ground-floor commercial uses and increased building height (up to 5 stories with setbacks). Discussion clarified that commercial uses may wrap corners but cannot extend more than 125 ft from the street. The board unanimously approved the recommendation.

Key Outcomes

• Subdivision 3098: Tabled to August 11, 2026 (unanimous).
• Subdivision 4063: Approved unanimously.
• Subdivision 4062: Approved unanimously after public hearing closed.
• ZB 226-12 (Map Change): Motion to recommend approval with a note that the Zoning Board consider excluding Garden and Henry Streets from the rezoning (unanimous).
• ZB 226-13 (Text Change): Recommended approval unanimously.
• Next Meeting: Next regular meeting scheduled for August 11, 2026 (no July meeting).