Stamford Zoning Board Meeting – March 31, 2026

Note: The meeting was called to order at 6:41 PM on March 30, 2026, according to the transcript. The date in the meeting instructions (2026-03-31T12:45:00+00:00) differs; the summary below follows the transcript’s date for accuracy.

The Stamford Zoning Board, chaired by David Stein, held a public hearing and regular meeting via Zoom. Agenda items included the annual Below Market Rate (BMR) program report, several text amendments, and a special permit application for a senior living community. The board also approved multiple administrative applications and continued one application.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Text Change 22547 (CL District):

  • Mike Moore (President, Stamford Downtown) expressed support, noting the amendment replaces an appendix-based framework with defined standards and tiered review.
  • Sue Halpern (30 Elm Craft Road) and Dave Adams (Glenbrook) raised concerns about the lack of public hearings for certain renovations and conversions, urging that such changes receive community input.

• Application 22601 (35 Terrace Avenue – Senior Living):

  • Jaclyn Moeller (7 Jessup Street) read a petition with 22 signatures opposing the project, citing traffic, privacy, enforcement of age restrictions, and density.
  • James Yeager (246 High Ridge Road) emphasized traffic congestion and snow removal difficulties.
  • Frida Parmar (19 Jessup Street) objected to privacy loss and solar access.
  • Julia Riva (52 Terrace Avenue) invited board members to visit the street to see traffic and safety issues.
  • Tommy Muller (7 Jessup Street) questioned fire truck access and the project’s senior housing character.
  • Dina Suchu (28 Terrace Avenue) reported parked cars being hit and dangerous conditions.
  • Ruth Richards (25 Terrace Avenue) noted driveway access problems and property line encroachment concerns.
  • Sue Halpern (30 Elm Craft Road) offered an alternative site for the project.

• Text Change 22605 (Corrections & Definitions):

  • Sue Halpern asked about alcohol service in the proposed “physical culture establishment” definition.
  • Dave Adams questioned the 20% increase in lot coverage for special permit uses in single-family districts and suggested the two changes should be separate.

Discussion Items

• Annual Below Market Rate (BMR) Program Report Emily Gordon, Principal Housing Planner, presented the required annual report. Key points:

  • In 2025, the Zoning Board approved 6 projects with BMR requirements, totaling 518 units, but only 12 on-site BMR units (down from 90 in 2024). 50% of projects used fee-in-lieu, compared to 100% on-site in 2024.
  • The Affordable Housing Trust Fund committed to four 100% affordable projects, providing 3 to 6 times greater value per dollar than on-site BMR units.
  • Vacancy rate in BMR units was 3.6% (double 2024's 1.8%), with three-bedroom units having the highest vacancy.
  • 62% of waitlists were closed. There is a mismatch between household incomes (many below 50% AMI) and unit affordability levels.
  • The geography used to calculate AMI changed, lowering the AMI; the board froze BMR limits at 2024 levels to avoid displacing tenants.
  • Board members discussed rebalancing fee-in-lieu and on-site production, and directed Ralph Blessing to prepare options for the next meeting.

• Text Change 22547 (CL Limited Commercial District) Ralph Blessing reviewed the proposed comprehensive regulations, including updated dimensional standards, design requirements, and a tiered review procedure. The board discussed alignment with the CG district and added public hearing triggers for new construction on lots over 20,000 sq ft. The application was approved with conditions.

• Text Change 22538 (CG General Commercial District) The board reviewed a similar text change for the CG district, aligning review procedures with the CL district. Key changes included requiring a public hearing for new construction on lots over 20,000 sq ft. Approved with modifications.

• Application 22545 (177 Broad Street – Office to Residential Conversion) The applicant proposed converting a 16-story, 180,000 sq ft office building into 231 residential apartments. The board approved the application with conditions, including an affordability plan with at least 16 BMR units, 488 parking spaces, 36 street trees, and compliance with various city department comments.

• Application 22601 (35 Terrace Avenue – Senior Living Community) The applicant proposed a 6-unit independent living facility on a 1.02-acre lot. The board heard public opposition and discussed traffic, privacy, and enforcement of senior occupancy requirements. The hearing was continued to April 13, 2026, to allow the applicant to provide additional renderings and a fence proposal.

• Text Change 22605 (Corrections, Definitions, Lot Coverage) The board adopted a text change to correct errors, add a definition for “gymnasium or physical culture establishment,” and increase lot coverage standards for special permit uses in single-family districts (e.g., houses of worship, clubs). Approved.

• Text Change 22606 (Temporary Signage – Continued) The planning board had recommended denial. The board continued this application to the April 13 meeting.

• CSPR 1228 (1834 Chapan Avenue) An addition to a single-family home in the coastal area. Approved with conditions from EPB and Engineering.

• Extension of Application 22224 Approved for one year until May 25, 2027.

Key Outcomes

• Annual BMR Report: Received. Board to discuss rebalancing fee-in-lieu and on-site BMR requirements at the next meeting (April 13).
• Text Change 22547 (CL District): Approved with conditions, including public hearing for new construction on lots over 20,000 sq ft.
• Text Change 22538 (CG District): Approved with modifications aligning review procedures.
• Application 22601 (35 Terrace Avenue): Continued to April 13, 2026; applicant to provide fence renderings and privacy options.
• Application 22545 (177 Broad Street): Approved with conditions (affordability plan, parking, trees, etc.).
• Text Change 22605: Approved.
• Text Change 22606: Continued.
• CSPR 1228: Approved.
• Extension 22224: Approved.
• Minutes of March 9, 2026: Approved.
• Next Meeting: April 13, 2026, at 6:30 PM on Zoom.