Zoning Board Special Meeting – May 19, 2023

Note: The transcript indicates the meeting was held on May 18, 2023, but the provided date is May 19, 2023. This summary uses the date supplied.

The Stamford Zoning Board held a special meeting on May 19, 2023, at 6:30 PM via Zoom. The main item was a public hearing on Application 223-04 by Darius Lesniwinski to reconstruct a historic house at 16 Remington Street and build two attached townhouses. The board also conducted regular business, including approvals of text amendments and a special permit, and held a pre-application conference for a proposed hotel.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sue Halpern (38‑year South End resident, chair of the South End Local Historic District Study Committee) opposed the application, stating the demolition was without a permit, the proposed height (over 40 ft) would overshadow neighbors, and parking is inadequate on that street.
• Dylan Zarrow (20 Remington Street neighbor) strongly objected, citing safety and privacy concerns from the proposed 5‑ft setback, debris during demolition, and the building’s height reducing natural light.
• Esther Marie Giordano (94 Strawberry Hill Avenue) questioned the lack of consequences for demolishing a historic building without a permit and urged the board not to grant exceptions.
• Monica Twal (37 Hanrahan Street) opposed the project, calling it irresponsible and inconsistent with the neighborhood’s character. She argued the applicant should rebuild the original home without townhouses.
• Elizabeth McCauley (18 Walter Wheeler Drive) opposed unless significant modifications are made to reduce scale and height, and questioned the precedent of allowing such density.

Discussion Items

• Application 223-04 (16 Remington Street): The applicant proposed a “critical reconstruction” of the historic house (first 20 ft, one‑and‑three‑quarter stories) and two attached townhouses (each 2,300 sq ft, four stories, with a one‑car garage). The project requires a coastal site plan review, special permit, and addition to the Cultural Resources Inventory. The Planning Board had recommended approval. The board discussed:
  • Height: The building height is 39 ft 10 in (under the 40‑ft limit). HPAC (Historic Preservation Advisory Committee) had requested height reductions; the applicant lowered it from 44 ft.
  • HPAC compliance: The applicant claimed all HPAC comments were incorporated, but board members noted the plans still show black‑framed windows on the rear building (HPAC required white). The board requested the applicant revise to double‑hung white windows throughout and return to HPAC for confirmation.
  • Basement windows: HPAC had asked for smaller windows; the applicant changed them to 2 × 3 ft, but staff noted these do not meet the 12‑sq‑ft light‑and‑air requirement for a habitable space. The board suggested a compromise: one egress window (3 × 4 ft) and one smaller window, subject to HPAC approval.
  • Special permits: The applicant’s special‑permit application was incomplete and contained inaccuracies. The board requested a corrected exhibit listing each requested permit (e.g., reduced setbacks, increased density).
  • Parking: The applicant provides three parking spaces (one per unit); no guest parking is required by code.
  • Other requests: Color landscape plans, an overlay of the original building, a copy of the demolition permit, and staff to report on consequences of illegal demolition.
• Application 223-09 (Text change): Approved 3‑2 (Raquel Smith Anderson and Jerry Bozak opposed).
• Application 223-10 (Use definitions – adult establishments, daycare): Approved 3‑2 (Smith Anderson and Bozak opposed). The board asked staff to research the definition of “minor” in adult‑use regulations.
• Application 223-11 (Cleanup of Section 7): Approved 5‑0.
• Application 222-37 (122‑124 Broad Street – amended special permit): Approved 3‑2 (Smith Anderson and Bozak opposed). The board added conditions requiring 20 additional street trees in consultation with the Downtown Special Services District, and a requirement for police traffic control during special events.
• Application 213-44 (Extension of time for fee‑in‑lieu): Approved 3‑1‑1 (Smith Anderson opposed, Bozak abstained). Extended to September 30, 2023.
• Pre‑application Conference 223‑03 (West Park Place hotel): The applicant proposed a 95‑room extended‑stay hotel with ground‑floor retail. Discussion focused on parking reduction. The applicant provided data showing low parking demand (0.10–0.37 spaces per room). The board was open to a reduced parking requirement but asked for a realistic fee‑in‑lieu and a valet option. The applicant will return with a formal application.

Key Outcomes

• Application 223-04 (16 Remington Street): Continued to June 5, 2023, with multiple revisions requested (see above).
• Application 223-09: Approved 3‑2.
• Application 223-10: Approved 3‑2.
• Application 223-11: Approved 5‑0.
• Application 222-37 (Broad Street): Approved 3‑2 with additional conditions.
• Application 213-44 (Extension of time): Approved 3‑1‑1 (extended to September 30, 2023).
• Application 223-03 (West Park Place hotel): No vote; pre‑application discussion only. The applicant will incorporate feedback and submit a formal application.