Stamford Zoning Board – Regular & Public Hearing Meeting – April 27, 2026

On April 27, 2026, the Stamford Zoning Board held a hybrid meeting via Zoom, convened at 6:37 PM by Chair David Stein. Members present: Bill Morris, Peter Rustin, Ralph Blessing, Vanita Matter, and Roseanne McManus (joined later). The board approved minutes, took agenda out of order, and conducted a public hearing on a special permit application for a six-unit senior/disabled living community at 35 Terrace Avenue (application 226-01). The meeting adjourned around 8:00 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of March 30, 2026: Approved 3-0 (Stein, Morris, Rustin).
• Minutes of April 13, 2026: Approved 3-0 (Stein, Morris, McManus) after McManus joined.
• Application 226-02 (Zoning map change for McKeith and Park and 0 Mainland Road): Approved 3-0 (Stein, Morris, McManus).
• Application 226-03 (Zoning text change / “text cleanup”): Approved 3-0 (unanimous).
• Application 226-04 (Zoning text change regarding R6 district): Approved 3-0 (unanimous).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dave Adams (Glenbrook Road): Expressed project is not appropriate for the space but deferred to neighbors. Requested replacing the proposed PVC fence with wood (e.g., CWF) to reduce plastic impact.
• Tommy Muller (7 Jessup Street): Detailed concerns: existing six-foot fence destroyed during demolition (September 2025) and not replaced despite promises. Stated the proposed fence and shrubs (max 6-7 feet) offer no additional privacy beyond what was contractually required. Noted second‑story views would still face privacy issues. Also raised lack of wall footing, no sidewalks to bus stops, and questioned how seniors would use second‑story stairs.
• James Yeager (246 High Ridge Road): Cited traffic danger, lack of snow storage, inadequate space (1/7 acre per unit), and that the six units do not fit the neighborhood character. Also questioned whether retaining walls over certain height require a five‑foot setback and voiced concerns about wall stability without pinned footings.
• Lauren Yeager (242 High Ridge Road): Agreed with traffic concerns and noted trees were taken down before approval, indicating a pattern of disregard.
• Sheila Glenn (15 Terrace Avenue): Strong opposition based on traffic congestion, neighborhood character, and design not appropriate for senior living. Urged board to listen to residents.
• Ruth Richards (25 Terrace Avenue): Raised flooding/drainage changes, setback of new trees from her driveway, sewer capacity, trust issues with builder, and opposition to cutting her driveway for gas line extension without legal easement. Also concerned about direct views from proposed dwellings into her home.
• Jacqueline Moore Muller (Jessup Street): Noted proposed two‑story units would look into her two‑story home, creating privacy concerns for her family with children. Also objected to unclear HOA enforcement and neighbors having to police senior/disabled occupancy.

Discussion Items

• Application 226-01 – 35 Terrace Avenue (Public Hearing continued from March 30, 2026):
  • Applicant’s Presentation (Attorney Lenny Brayman): Presented updated landscaping plan with additional green screening (evergreens: Ilex Steeds holly, viburnum, inkberry) and a white vinyl fence atop the existing wall along the western property line (Muller and Attilo properties). Submitted renderings showing before/after screening from dwelling units A and E.
  • Landscape Architect Matt Pop: Detailed that western line uses seeds holly (6-7 ft evergreen), viburnum (8×8 ft), and inkberry (~5 ft). Eastern line includes 10 shade trees plus evergreen magnolias near neighbor’s driveway. Fence height stated as “two feet below max allowed by zoning,” later clarified as “two inches below max” (approximately 6 ft).
  • Engineer Len DeAndrea: Explained that the third northerly house (closest to property line) is the primary concern; the other two houses are set 20 ft lower, so continuous evergreen screening plus wall provides sufficient block. Stated fence stops short of units D and E due to elevation differences. Addressed snow removal: a shoulder and transformer setback provide storage; city has designated snow dumping areas. Sewer lateral will reuse existing connection to avoid road cuts. Gas line will run along westerly side of common driveway, not under the neighbor’s driveway. Confirmed walls are gravity stone walls with designed sections; no pinning needed, and total fence+wall height from low side does not exceed accessory structure setback rules.
  • Board Questions:
    • Bill Morris: Inquired about plant species and fence height.
    • Peter Rustin: Raised concern about deciduous birch trees leaving a winter “hole”; applicant noted evergreen shrubs underneath and that fence stops before those trees.
    • Chair Stein: Explored HOA responsibilities for snow removal, lawn mowing, and enforcing senior/disabled occupancy. Attorney Brayman confirmed deed restrictions would be recorded; HOA or owner (if rental) would enforce; neighbors could complain to zoning enforcement officer or pursue civil remedies for deed violations.
  • Additional Public Input (Second Round):
    • James Yeager reiterated wall height and stability concerns, traffic congestion from new developments.
    • Tommy Muller disputed engineer’s account of fence conversation; stated he was not offered immediate replacement on his property; invited developer to start work tomorrow.
    • Dave Adams repeated request for wood fence instead of PVC.
    • Ruth Richards added that the land was tilted toward her property and noted at least three units face her house directly.

Key Outcomes

• Application 226-01 (35 Terrace Avenue): The public hearing was closed and will be on the agenda for deliberation at the next meeting on May 4, 2026 (Monday).
• Other Applications: All four applications (226-02, 226-03, 226-04) were approved unanimously (3‑0).
• Next Meeting: Scheduled for May 4, 2026; only voting items and possibly administrative items.