Stamford Zoning Board Meeting - July 30, 2024

The Zoning Board of Stamford, Connecticut, met on July 30, 2024, at 6:35 PM via Zoom, chaired by David Stein. The meeting covered several text changes, public hearings, and votes on development applications. Despite the transcript dating the meeting as July 29, the official date per the instructions is July 30, 2024.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The minutes from July 22, 2024, were approved unanimously (5-0).
• CSPR 1200 – Nancy Camp, 37 Soundview Drive: A proposal to extend a three-season porch and add a second floor. Approved with conditions from Engineering Bureau and Environmental Protection Board (EPB), with no objections from the Harbor Management Commission. Unanimous approval.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Application 224-14 (Cannabis and Smoke Shop Text Change):
  • Several residents expressed strong opposition to cannabis dispensaries and smoke shops, citing public health risks, especially to children; some called for stricter regulations including distance from daycare centers, bus stops, and pediatrician offices. Others supported the proposed text change, noting it was a step in the right direction. The Stamford Prevention Council and Stamford Downtown representatives supported the regulations and requested continued collaboration.
• Application 224-19 (Parking Requirements Text Change):
  • Public comment was divided. Some residents opposed reducing parking minimums, arguing it would worsen congestion and hurt downtown businesses; others supported the change, citing the need for more housing, pedestrian-friendly design, and the high cost of parking. Several speakers raised concerns about the lack of enforcement of existing parking rules and the impact on residential neighborhoods. The Stamford Downtown president supported aligning parking requirements with actual demand.

Discussion Items

• Application 224-14 – Text Change for Cannabis Dispensaries and Smoke Shops:
  • Presented by Ralph Blessing, Land Use Bureau. Proposed reducing the number of cannabis dispensaries from 5 to 4 (one per 30,000 residents), adding distance requirements of 500 feet from city parks/beaches and 1,000 feet from community centers, and prohibiting dispensaries in CN and CB districts while allowing them in industrial areas and downtown. For smoke shops, proposed reducing the threshold for a smoke shop from 50% to 10% of retail area dedicated to tobacco/paraphernalia, adding distance requirements of 1,000 feet from parks/beaches and 3,000 feet between shops, and removing many districts where they are currently permitted. Board members discussed extending distance requirements to abutting towns, increasing the distance from schools to 1,500 feet, and including daycare centers. The public hearing was closed.
• Application 224-19 – Text Change for Parking Requirements:
  • Presented by Ralph Blessing and Frank Petise, Transportation Bureau. Proposed changes based on the 2023 Citywide Parking Study: reducing parking requirements for large group parking facilities by 5%, eliminating parking requirements for lots under 25,000 square feet in downtown (Master Plan categories 11 and 16) within 1,200 feet of a municipal parking facility, increasing parking for studios, decreasing for larger units, and allowing side-yard parking on corner lots in certain single-family districts. Board members expressed concerns about the accuracy of parking occupancy data, potential spillover congestion, and the impact on residents. The public hearing was closed.
• Application 223-38 – 800 Long Ridge Road: Site and architectural plans for a multi-family development. Board members discussed design, traffic, and sustainability. Conditions included a $250,000 contribution to traffic improvements and a $250,000 fee-in-lieu for sidewalks, plus a clause requiring the applicant to mitigate any traffic issues on side streets if they arise. Approved 3-2.
• Application 224-26 and 224-08 – Text Change and Map Change for 1600 Summer Street: Proposed creating a new CG North zone (north of North Street) with a height limit of 75 feet (7 stories) and a special permit bonus of up to 20 feet (later amended to 15 feet) for adaptive reuse of at least 60% of existing floor area. Board members agreed to reduce the bonus height to 15 feet. The text change was approved 4-1, and the map change (rezoning to CG North) was approved 4-1.
• Application 223-23 and 224-04 – 91 Hope Street: Map change from R7.5 to R1 was approved unanimously (5-0). Site plan approval for a residential development with two ownership BMR units at 50% AMI was discussed; conditions were presented, including a fee-in-lieu for a fractional unit. The board agreed to finalize affordability plan details regarding common charges.

Key Outcomes

• Application 224-14 (Cannabis/Smoke Shop Text Change): Public hearing closed; deliberation scheduled for a future meeting. Board directed staff to consider increasing distance to schools to 1,500 feet and adding daycare centers.
• Application 224-19 (Parking Requirements Text Change): Public hearing closed; deliberation scheduled for a future meeting. Board requested further analysis of parking occupancy data and possible modifications to the side-yard parking provision.
• Application 223-38 (800 Long Ridge Road): Approved 3-2 with conditions including $250,000 for traffic improvements, $250,000 sidewalk fee-in-lieu, and a traffic mitigation clause for side streets.
• Application 224-26 (Text Change – CG North): Approved 4-1, with bonus height reduced to 15 feet.
• Application 224-08 (Map Change – 1600 Summer Street): Approved 4-1.
• Application 223-23 (Map Change – 91 Hope Street): Approved 5-0.
• Application 224-04 (Site Plan – 91 Hope Street): Conditions reviewed; approval pending finalization of affordability plan details. The board will vote on the site plan at a future meeting.