Stamford Zoning Board Meeting Summary – July 1, 2025

The Stamford Zoning Board convened on July 1, 2025 (transcript references a continuation from June 30, 2025) to hear and vote on multiple applications, including flood compliance renovations, basement conversions, historic preservation plans, text amendments, and extensions. All votes were unanimous (3-0) unless otherwise noted.

Consent Calendar

• No items were explicitly designated as consent calendar; however, routine approvals are covered below.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments or testimony were heard during this session.

Discussion Items

• CSPR 1217 – 164 Dolphin Cove Key (Applicant: Kara Um Raguel): Proposed raising the dwelling, renovating the garage, and constructing a second story for flood compliance. Received favorable recommendations from the Environmental Protection Board (EPB), Engineering, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), and the Harbor Management Commission. Approved 3-0 with conditions from those agencies.
• CSPR 1215 – 45 Taylor Street (Applicant: Cindy Garcia Diego for Rom Shape): Proposed converting an existing finished basement to laundry and storage, legalizing floor area within the Coastal Area Management (CAM) boundary. Received positive recommendations from EPB, Engineering, DEEP, and Harbor Management. Approved 3-0 with agency conditions.
• AC Leonard – 68 Leonard Street (Applicant: AC Leonard LLC): Site and architectural plans, special permit request, and addition to the cultural resources inventory. Staff presented conditions including historic preservation easement, surety bond for facade restoration, installation of a brass plaque, and compliance with HPAC, EPB, Engineering, Traffic, and Fire Marshal comments. Approved 3-0 with the listed conditions.
• Application 225-16 – Zoning Board Text Change (Graphics): A text amendment to add missing definitions, including “setback” and “setback line.” Approved 3-0.
• Application 225-17 – Zoning Board Text Change (Restaurants): A proposed text amendment concerning restaurant definitions. Board member Ralph indicated further review was needed to simplify language and avoid unintended consequences regarding entertainment definitions. The application was held for a revised draft to be presented at a future meeting.
• Application 224-04 – 91 Hope Street Extension (Applicant: Joseph Capelbo on behalf of RRI T LLC): Requested a one-year extension of time through August 13, 2026. Approved 3-0.
• Extension of Acting CEO Daniel Trapp: Approved an extension of the term for Acting CEO Daniel Trapp through August 13, 2025, pursuant to Section 1.C4 of the zoning regulations.

Key Outcomes

• All four votes (CSPR 1217, CSPR 1215, 68 Leonard Street, and 225-16) were approved unanimously (3-0) with conditions as noted.
• Application 225-17 (restaurant text change) was held for further revisions; Chairman will circulate a revised draft before the next meeting.
• Extension for 91 Hope Street and the Acting CEO’s term were also approved.
• Future agenda items include the GDP for John Stowers, a text change and GDP for a daycare on Palmer’s Hill (CLC), and an update on the McGee Avenue boat yard requested by a board member.

Note on Date Discrepancy: The system-provided meeting date is July 1, 2025, but the transcript states the hearing resumed on June 30, 2025. This summary uses the system-provided date but acknowledges the discrepancy.