Stamford Zoning Board Meeting - February 28, 2023
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Stamford Zoning Board Meeting - February 28, 2023
The Stamford Zoning Board met on February 28, 2023, via Zoom video conference. Chair David Stein presided. The board held public hearings, discussed several applications, approved minutes, and deliberated on urban design guidelines and state legislation.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes of February 6, 2023 (regular meeting) and February 9, 2023 (special meeting) were approved unanimously (3-0 and 4-0 respectively).
Public Comments & Testimony
- During the ice rink application (223-01), resident Darling Calvillo spoke about traffic safety concerns on Melrose Place and Barrie Place, particularly during school dismissal hours. She requested sidewalks or speed calming measures.
Discussion Items
- Application 221-24 (160 Atlantic Street) was continued to March 27, 2023 at the applicant's request.
- Application 222-32 (100 Clinton Avenue, Block A & B) was continued to March 13, 2023. Board expressed appreciation for prompt submission of requested materials.
- Application 223-01 (50 Barrie Place) – Continental Family Holdings LLC and Wings Manager LLC proposed constructing a 35,500 sq. ft. indoor ice rink for youth hockey and figure skating. The Planning Board had unanimously recommended approval. Attorney William Hennessy presented the project, including team introductions, site context, landscaping (23 shade trees, 9 small trees, 46 green giants, net gain of ~31 trees after removing 9), lighting (14-ft poles, 3000K warm tone), chiller pad location, environmental land use restrictions (ELURs) remediation, stormwater management, solar-ready provisions, and parking (83 spaces revised from 87). Board members discussed landscaping enhancements, EV charging spaces (6 charging stations with conduit for 4 more; Board requested corrected parking calculations and EV space layout), exterior color (later deferred to staff), transportation demand management plan, and community access for Stamford schools. The application was continued to March 13, 2023 to allow the applicant to submit revised plans.
- Urban Design Guidelines discussion: Staff (Ralph and Vanita) presented existing design standards in newer zoning districts (VC, RHD, TCD) and ongoing work to create a citywide urban design manual. Board members, including Jerry Bozak, emphasized the need for improved design quality to avoid bland architecture. Jerry also raised concerns about proposed state bills (e.g., HB 6593) that could supersede local zoning authority. The board agreed to schedule a special meeting to invite state legislators for discussion.
Key Outcomes
- Applications 221-24 and 222-32 continued as noted.
- Application 223-01 continued to March 13, 2023. Applicant must provide: revised landscape plan in color with tree removal/planting details, dimensions, buffers, and photometric plan; corrected parking calculations and EV space layout; transportation demand management plan; and further coordination with TTP on traffic safety.
- Minutes approved.
- Board planning a special session on state zoning legislation.
Meeting Transcript
Yeah, please. Okay. Um I'd like to welcome everyone and call tonight's zoning board meeting to order. I'm David Stein, Chair of the Zoning Board, and it is 6 30 on February 27th, 2023. The members of the board and the staff are here holding this meeting by Zoom Video Conference. The public is in attendance, both on video conference and by teleconference. First, I'd like to uh call the role of the board and staff. Bill Morris. Here. Roseanne McManus. Here. Jerry Bozak. Here. And Raquel Smith Anderson. Here. Ralph Flessing. Here. Vanita Monter. Here. Okay. Great. We have a full house. During tonight's meeting, uh the microphones for the board will be open throughout. Applicants' mics will be open during the public hearing for their application. However, I would ask applicants to please mute their mics when not speaking in order to reduce background noise. The first part of tonight's meeting is the public hearing during which the public will have an opportunity to speak. Each member of the public will be muted until it's your turn to speak. And here's the procedure for the public to let us know that you would like to speak. If you came in through Zoom, use the raise your hand function, and you will be unmuted when it's your turn. If you called in on one of the telephone conference call phone numbers, press star nine, and this will raise your hand, and then press star six to unmute when it's your turn to speak. When members of the public speak, would you please give us your name and address for the record and whether you are in favor of or opposed to the application? The board requests that members of the public limit your comments to three minutes so that everyone will have a chance to speak.gov slash zoning. And now we um oh before we go into the meeting, I'd like to um seat Raquel Smith Anderson as a voting member for tonight's meeting. Um the first item we have is a public hearing continued from January 23rd, 2023. It's application 221-24 Old Town Square LLC 160 Atlantic Street, site and architectural plans and or requested uses and special permit. Um I see attorney Leiden is there. Um I understand that um you will be requesting a continuation on this application. Yes, Mr. Chairman, members of the board and staff. I spoke with Ms. Matur, and um we'd appreciate if we could be continued until March 27th. And my name is for the record, John Leiden of the Law Office of John Liden for the applicant. Okay. Um March 27th is a meeting date, right? Yes. Good. Okay. Um so application two two-one-24 will be continued until the zoning board meeting on March 27th, 2023 at 630 uh by Zoom. John, thank you. Thank you.
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