Public Meetings - Stamford, Connecticut

No agenda, minutes, or substantive discussion were available for this meeting. The only recorded action was a motion to adjourn, which was seconded and carried, concluding the meeting immediately.

The Stamford Zoning Board met on November 5, 2024, at 6:36 PM via Zoom, chaired by David Stein, with members Bill Morris, Roseanne McManus, Jerry Bozak, Raquel Smith Anderson, and Vanita Mathur (staff). The meeting began with an executive session (6:40–7:17 PM) to discuss pending litigation regarding 900 Long Ridge Road (no votes taken). Public hearings were held for two major applications: conversion of 460 Summer Street to 40 apartments, and construction of a 280-unit residential building with retail at 74 Broad Street. A text amendment on below-market-rate housing was continued. The board also approved a section 10 text amendment on non-conforming buildings, approved the 460 Summer Street application with conditions, and granted a time extension for a Pacific House supportive housing project. Public Comments & Testimony - 460 Summer Street: Michael Moore (President, Stamford Downtown) expressed support, citing reduction of vacant office space and enhancement of public realm. Angelo Bochanis (545 Bedford Street) supported the conversion, noting underutilized office space and housing demand. Monica Twal (37 Hanrahan Street) opposed the project, raising concerns about delivery vehicle access, traffic congestion, and lack of family-friendly housing. Zachary Overholser (2475 Summer Street) supported the conversion but urged more housing and less parking. - 74 Broad Street: Zachary Overholser supported the project but strongly criticized the parking plan, arguing that excess parking harms urban design and that nearby garages have ample capacity. Michael Moore (Stamford Downtown) read a letter in support, emphasizing activation of Summer Street and pedestrian safety improvements. Angelo Bochanis supported the project, citing housing and retail benefits but requesting better bus stop amenities and sidewalk access during construction. John Leiden (attorney for Ladado interests) supported the project but requested a condition that the northern amenity/retail space be publicly accessible. Monica Twal opposed, arguing the project would choke the Ferguson Library, increase congestion, and is not affordable housing. Alice Knapp (CEO, Ferguson Library) strongly supported the project, noting collaboration with the developer and expected benefits to library patronage. Heather Kavanaugh (President & CEO, Stamford Chamber of Commerce) supported the project, highlighting its economic benefits and need to support downtown businesses. Discussion Items - 460 Summer Street (Application 224-33): Applicant Ray Mazio presented revised plans including increased landscaping, addition of wood-grain cladding, and improved facade treatment. Board members expressed satisfaction with changes, though Chair Stein preferred painting the concrete facade. Public comments were generally supportive. The board then reviewed conditions and approved the application. - 74 Broad Street (Application 224-32): Applicant Richard Redness and Ray Mazio presented plans for a seven-story building with 280 apartments, 5,722 sq ft retail, below-grade parking, and amenities. Key discussions included: - Pedestrian walkway: A raised, lit pathway from Broad Street through the site to Spring Street to improve access to Ferguson Library parking. Board requested a detailed plan to be brought back for approval. - Library parking: Developer agreed to work with library on shared parking (including ADA spaces) and a parking management plan to be approved by the board prior to certificate of occupancy. - Street trees: Only 10 of 19 required trees proposed; board requested more trees and a revised landscape plan including a rain garden and native plants. - Bike parking: Class A bike parking needs to be relocated closer to the entrance; EV spaces location debated due to fire marshal concerns. Board requested revised plans. - Sustainability scorecard: Provided late; board requested it be reviewed. - Traffic study: Outstanding issues with TTP comments; traffic consultant expects no significant impact but will respond fully. Application continued to November 18, 2024. - Section 10 Text Amendment: Vanita Mathur presented revisions to address board concerns: adjusted residential density divider for CC/CG districts from 600 to 700 for on-site BMR units, and modified light-and-air requirement to allow board discretion for reductions (instead of automatic exemption). The board approved the amendment as revised, including addition of the IPD district. - Below-Market-Rate (BMR) Text Change (Application 224-24): Continued to November 18, 2024, due to timing constraints. Key Outcomes - Executive Session: No votes taken; discussion on 900 Long Ridge Road litigation. - Minutes Approval: Minutes from October 21, 2024, approved unanimously. - Section 10 Text Amendment (Application 224-10): Approved 5-0 as revised, including new density dividers and light-and-air discretion. - 460 Summer Street (Application 224-33): Approved 5-0 with conditions including: - Final affordability plan for 4 BMR units at 50% AMI. - 34 parking spaces (including 2 EV spaces) with staff approval to eliminate one space if needed. - 12 class B bike spaces; bicycle parking maintenance agreement on land records. - Compliance with TTP, EPB, Engineering, Fire Marshal, and WPCA comments. - Landscape and lighting plans to be finalized with staff. - Pacific House Time Extension (Application 220-40): Approved extension to November 2, 2025. - Next Meeting: Scheduled for November 18, 2024, with continued hearings on 74 Broad Street, BMR text change, and new applications.

(Note: The meeting transcript and agenda indicate the meeting was held on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, but the instruction specifies October 30, 2024. This summary uses the provided date.) The Stamford Planning Board held a regular meeting on October 30, 2024, at 6:31 PM via Zoom. Chair Jay Tepper presided, later handing over to Vice Chair Jennifer Godzino. The board approved several capital project items, a subdivision, a zoning text change, and zoning board referrals, while rejecting one variance request and tabling another. Consent Calendar - Minutes of October 22, 2024: Approved unanimously. Supplemental Capital Appropriation Requests 1. Capital Project Closeout (C56080) - Main Library Building Restoration: $850,000 bond fund closeout. Approved unanimously. 2. Library HVAC Equipment Replacement (CP2750): $850,000 transfer from ARPA funds. Approved unanimously. 3. Pavement Management (CP5059): $593,388 reimbursement from Eversource Gas for paving costs. Approved unanimously. Discussion included concerns about the lengthy approval process; staff suggested future blanket approvals. 4. Old Long Ridge Road Bridge 135007: $140,000 for design engineering, leveraging a 50% state grant. Approved unanimously. 5. Mill Road over Brook Bridge 135008: $270,000 for design engineering, also with 50% state grant. Approved unanimously. Presentation - Vision Zero Action Plan: Luke Buttenwieser presented draft recommendations, including policy goals (collaborate, analyze, redesign) and project proposals for the High Injury Network. An open house is scheduled for December 10, 2024. The plan will come before the board for final approval. No vote taken. Subdivisions - Subdivision 4052 - 34 Konandreas Drive (2 lots): Applicant proposed subdividing a lot to create a new buildable lot (Lot 51) in the RA1 zone. Approved unanimously after reading the legal notice and revote. Zoning Board Referrals / Text Amendment - ZB 224-31 (MOD) - Zoning Text Change (Housekeeping): Ralph Blessing presented numerous amendments, including definitions for permitted obstructions, market value, pet stores, corner lots, mixed-use buildings, bike/EV parking, street trees, and more. Approved unanimously. Zoning Board of Appeals Referrals - ZBA 035-24 - Catholic Academy of Stamford (1184 Newfield Avenue): Special permit for four new classrooms. Approved unanimously as compatible with the neighborhood. - ZBA 037-24 - Michael Nawrocki (67 Iroquois Road): Variances for rear setback (1.3 ft vs 30 ft), side yard (2 ft vs 6 ft), and building coverage (40% vs 25%). Board found deviations excessive and inconsistent with low-density character. Motion to disapprove passed unanimously. - ZBA 039-24 - McDonald's (1103 East Main Street): Request to add a second drive-through lane and associated signage. The board expressed concerns about traffic, city policy against drive-throughs, and lack of updated traffic comments from TTP. Motion to table until receipt of TTP comments passed unanimously. Key Outcomes - All five capital appropriation requests were approved. - The subdivision was approved. - The zoning text amendment was approved. - The Catholic Academy special permit was approved. - The 67 Iroquois Road variance was disapproved. - The McDonald's application was tabled pending further traffic review. - The Vision Zero presentation was received; final approval pending. Note: The December 10, 2024 date for the Vision Zero open house conflicts with the planning board's capital budget meeting.

[Note: The agenda indicated the meeting would occur on October 22, 2024, but the transcript and user instruction specify October 23, 2024.] The Stamford Planning Board held a capital budget meeting on October 23, 2024 to review capital requests from multiple city departments for the fiscal year 2025-2026 budget. Presentations covered over $40 million in proposed projects across childcare, fleet management, parks, engineering, land use, facilities, and stormwater. No votes were taken on the capital items; the board will deliberate at future meetings. Consent Calendar - Minutes of October 8, 2024: Approved unanimously on a motion by Ravi Subramanian, seconded by Prasad Tunga. Discussion Items - Childcare Learning Center (CLC): Monica Maccera Filppu, CEO, presented a request for $3 million in city capital funds to build a new Head Start facility at 60 Palmer's Hill Road, replacing the current Lockwood Avenue site that will close due to a new elementary school. The purchase is funded by a prior state grant. The project total is estimated at $10–12 million, with additional funding from federal Head Start grants, state Community Investment Funds, and a private capital campaign. The campus would consolidate services and include outdoor community spaces. Board members expressed strong support. - Operations – Fleet Management: Bill Klous, Fleet Manager, presented three projects: (1) Fuel station upgrade at Hague Avenue ($300,000, with $250,000 previously approved, seeking an additional $50,000), (2) Oil dispenser and air compressor replacement at McGee Avenue ($250,000), and (3) Enclosed storage building for highway trucks ($300,000, with $250,000 previously approved, seeking $50,000). He also presented a citywide vehicle and equipment replacement list (short-term financing) totaling approximately $12 million, emphasizing the aging fleet and need to reduce maintenance costs. Board members asked about prioritization and partial funding. - Special Revenue – Terry Conners Rink: Kevin Murray, Director of Parks & Recreation, requested $90,000 for bleacher replacement, cooling tower upgrades, and dehumidifier wheel. - Special Revenue – E.G. Brennan Golf Course: Kevin Murray requested $250,000 for clubhouse roof, locker room upgrades, energy-efficient lighting, and ADA improvements. The course generates revenue from about 41,000 rounds annually. - Operations – Maintenance Parks (Kevin Murray): Presented multiple projects totaling $12.1 million, including: - Scalzi Park tennis court replacement ($2.65 million, balance $1.163 million) - Cummings Park beach and parking lot improvements ($1.6 million, with a 1:1 ORNLP grant match up to $5 million) - Leone Park parking lot relocation and redesign ($2.5 million, to address quality-of-life concerns) - All-season accessible park bathrooms at seven popular parks ($1.5 million) - Nemoyan Park playground upgrade ($850,000) - Northrop Park playground upgrade ($800,000) - Baseball/softball infield turf upgrades ($500,000) - Cole Allen Park tennis courts ($300,000) - Paving, drainage, fencing, amenities, playground rehabilitation, Bear Park phase 2, Cassio Park, tree replanting, Fort Stamford Park ($150,000–$350,000 each) - Marina dock upgrades at Cove Island (placeholder $1 million) - Operations – Engineering (Lou Casolo, City Engineer): Presented eight projects totaling $10.77 million, including: - Mill Road bridge replacement (50% state match, city share approximately $2 million) - Long Ridge Road bridge replacement (50% state match, city share approximately $2 million) - Animal control facility ($2.7 million, including $506,000 in city bonds and a pending $2.2 million state grant) - Citywide storm drains ($1.5 million) - Citywide roadway correction (retaining walls) ($250,000) - Yearwood Center HVAC replacement ($2.15 million plus existing balance) - Cummings Marina restoration ($1 million as match for a potential $10 million grant) - Schofield Town Park dog park ($200,000) - Operations – Land Use (Ralph Blessing, Land Use Bureau Chief): Requested a total of $700,000 for five projects: citywide tree inventory ($100,000), GIS system upgrade ($200,000 plus $199,000 existing balance), citywide athletic fields needs assessment, invasive species management ($50,000), and parks master plan update (for parcel consolidation and zoning protection). - Operations – Maintenance Facilities (Scott Butch, Director of Facilities): Presented approximately $11.9 million in requests, including: - Citywide facilities energy/sustainability: electrification of HVAC ($800,000) - Heating system replacement - Citywide plumbing and sewer pipe replacement ($225,000) - Electrical system upgrades (generators, lighting) - Government Center renovations (additional $800,000, total $1.3 million) - Yearwood Center elevator ($500,000 city plus $255,000 state) - Environmental hazard abatement (asbestos) - Leased facilities (Domus boilers) - Building energy management systems (continuation) - Citywide workplace safety program (ergonomic furniture and digitization) - Board of Representatives 4th floor renovations (no amount specified) - Lathe and Wider Community Center renovations ($500,000) - Old Town Hall renovations - Life safety system upgrades - ADA compliance - Roof replacement - Curtain Call stage renovations (no amount specified) - Flooring replacement - Garage door replacements (significant request) - Operations – Stormwater Management (Thomas Turk, Operations Supervisor): Discussed: - Environmental compliance (multi-purpose account, minimal request) - Citywide sidewalk reconstruction (amount not specified, but noted cost of about $150,000 per block) - Street paving (Thomas emphasized the need for adequate and timely funding to maintain the paving schedule; no specific amount mentioned) - Utility paving (new program, $2 million request to facilitate road paving after utility work, with eventual reimbursement) - Downtown sidewalk reconstruction ($250,000) Key Outcomes - The board approved the minutes of October 8, 2024 unanimously. - No votes were taken on any capital budget requests. The board will receive a compiled budget book and an Excel file from Tony, the board's administrator, for further deliberation at future meetings (October 29, November 12, and November 19, 2024). - Board members requested additional information on cost savings, prioritization, and historical funding for several projects.

The Stamford Zoning Board met on October 22, 2024, at 6:35 PM via Zoom, chaired by David Stein. The board reviewed several applications including a proposed office-to-residential conversion, a text amendment for non-conforming building conversions, and a petition appeal. Votes were taken on flood-proofing, a condition removal, and the petition referral. Consent Calendar - Approval of Minutes: Minutes from the October 7, 2024 meeting were approved unanimously (5-0). - CSPR 1203 – 102 Rockledge Drive (Matthew and Megan Molloy): Proposed adding a second floor on existing footprint, wet flood proofing the garage, and removing utilities from the base flood zone. The board approved with conditions from EPB, Engineering, DEEP, and Harbor Management (5-0). Public Comments & Testimony - 460 Summer Street (Application 224-33): - John Heina (architect, Design Development Architects) – Expressed preference not to paint the concrete facade due to maintenance issues with neighboring properties; stated they would investigate enhancing spandrels. - Dave Adams (29 Clinton Rock Road) – Questioned the impact of restricting egress to Franklin Street (a one-way northbound street) and supported adding trees on the property. - Sue Halpern (Elm Craft Road) – Questioned lack of operable windows for ventilation and expressed concern about units without side windows; supported reuse of the building. - Monica Twell (37 Hanraham Street) – Opposed the project, criticizing the board for focusing on aesthetics and not addressing traffic, infrastructure, or ventilation; called the conversion a “disaster.” Discussion Items - 460 Summer Street (Office-to-Residential Conversion) – Applicant Gray Mazio (Redness & Mead) presented plans to convert a five-story, 28,279 sq ft class B office building into 40 apartments (32 studios, 8 one-bedrooms) with 34 parking spaces (up from 29), two ADA spaces, and 4 on-site affordable units at 50% AMI. The building is mostly vacant. The board discussed facade improvements (painting, cladding, landscaping), EV charging stations (two recommended), street trees, and a landscape plan. The applicant opposed painting due to zero-lot-line constraints and ongoing maintenance. The board requested a detailed landscape plan and facade enhancement ideas. The application was continued to November 4, 2024. - Text Change – Section 10 Non-Conforming Uses (Application 224-10) – Staff proposed a tiered conversion rate table to encourage adaptive reuse. The board debated the bonus for on-site BMR units (from 800 to 600 sq ft per unit) and whether to retain special permit requirements for light and air. Some members favored a 700 sq ft threshold for BMR incentive. Discussion also covered whether site plan review provides sufficient oversight versus special permit. The board agreed to continue the discussion to the next meeting. - Petition to Appeal HTD Text Change (Application 224-1) – Ralph Blessing presented a memorandum from the Law Department concluding that the petition did not meet the required threshold (20% of property owners within 500 ft of the HTD district, including Darien properties). Valid signatures totalled 67 out of 426 eligible owners (15.73%); even excluding Darien, the rate was 19.65% (below 20%). The board voted 3-1-1 not to refer the petition to the Board of Representatives. - Coleman Towers – Condition Removal (Application 224-2024) – Rick Redness (Redness & Mead) requested removal of condition 8 requiring shared vehicles, citing that the new parking regulations (Category 1 for affordable buildings) and actual low parking demand (74 occupied units, 52 cars, 0.7 ratio) make the condition unnecessary. The board approved removal 5-0. Key Outcomes - 460 Summer Street: Continued to November 4, 2024, pending revised facade and landscape plans. - CSPR 1203 (102 Rockledge Drive): Approved 5-0 with conditions. - Text Change (Section 10): Continued to next meeting for further refinement. - Petition Referral (HTD): Denied 3-1-1 (Stein, Morris, Smith Anderson in favor; Bozak opposed; Anderson abstained). - Coleman Towers Condition Removal: Approved 5-0. - Next Meeting: Scheduled for November 4, 2024, at 6:30 PM via Zoom, with agenda items including 74 Broad Street (new construction), BMR regulation updates, and continued Section 10 discussion.

The Stamford Planning Board met on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at 6:30 PM via Zoom to consider routine approvals, a street discontinuance, multiple capital project closeouts and transfers, new capital appropriations for Cummings Park, fire apparatus, and the East Side Library, and to hear capital budget presentations from the Office of Public Safety, Stamford Police, and Stamford Fire Department. The board also approved the 2025 meeting schedule with minor revisions. Consent Calendar - Approved the minutes of the September 24, 2024 regular meeting (with an amendment to include a parking condition for 74 Broad Street) and the October 1, 2024 special meeting. Both approvals were unanimous (5-0). Discussion Items - License & Use Agreement – Boys & Girls Club of Stamford / Stamford Public Schools (347 Stillwater Avenue): The board approved a license agreement allowing the Boys & Girls Club to lease 4,262 sq. ft. of classroom space to SPS for the STEPS special education program at $3,700/month, including utilities and custodial services. Hours are Monday–Friday 7:30 AM–1:30 PM. The term runs through the 2024/2025 school year with auto-renewal. Approved unanimously. - Proposed Discontinuance of a Portion of Garden Street (between Dock and Manhattan Streets): The board considered a modified recommendation from the Director of Administration. The modification allows the Office of Legal Affairs to negotiate an agreement with SMTG that includes a benefit assessment of $1,036,000, with a potential upside/downside sharing formula based on the future sale price of the development site. After discussion, the board approved the recommendation 4 in favor, 1 abstention (Prasad abstained). - Capital Project Closeout and Transfer Recommendations: - Agenda Item 1: Partial closeout of Street Patch & Resurfacing (C56182) in the amount of $3,958,625 from bond funds. Approved 5-0. - Agenda Item 2: Partial closeout of 19 ARP-funded projects totaling $14,010,965.12, as these projects will not meet federal deadlines. Approved 5-0. - Agenda Item 3: Transfer of funds from ARP to bonds for 14 projects totaling $3,958,625, to cover ineligible costs. Approved 5-0. - Agenda Item 4: Street Patch & Resurfacing – switching funding source from bonds to ARP for $3,958,625. Approved 5-0. - Agenda Item 5 – Cummings Park (001275): $2,585,341.12 for drainage, parking lot replacement, and entry circle improvements. The board noted that phasing has added approximately $3M in costs compared to doing all work at once. Approved 5-0. - Agenda Item 6 – Fire Apparatus (C63005): $3,200,000 to replace three frontline engines. The Fire Chief explained that seven front-line engines are overdue for replacement (NFPA recommends 15-year maximum). The new engines take about 2 years to build. Approved 5-0. - Agenda Item 7 – East Side Library (001404): $4,300,000 (plus $700,000 from a separate ARP grant) to build a new 10,000 sq. ft. library branch on the site of the old Hunt Center on Portland Avenue. The library will serve a diverse, economically distressed area. Approved unanimously. - Capital Budget Presentations: - Office of Public Safety, Health & Welfare (Lou DeRubeis): - Public Safety Complex Assessment ($500,000) – to advance architectural plans and studies for a new complex at 805 Bedford Street. The feasibility study confirmed the site can accommodate the needs. - Public Safety Cameras/Emergency Poles ($150,000) – to add 4 new blue-light towers with cameras, expanding the current 14 units. - Emergency Communications Center Restroom & Kitchen Remodel ($75,000) – to update original 1980s facilities and add a shower. - Vehicle Replacement & Upgrade ($1,735,000) – 20 patrol cars, 2 fire marshal vehicles, and a crowd control vehicle. - Short-Term Financing Items ($430,000) – includes critical infrastructure cameras, drone first responder program, medical trauma kits for police, fire hoses/ladders/equipment, mobile generator, and portable shower trailer for emergency shelters. - Stamford Police – Headquarters Infrastructure Improvements (Scott Duckworth): $225,000 to extend safety barriers at the firing range and upgrade the outdated target control system. - Stamford Fire Department (Chief Robert Morris): - Ladder Truck ($2,750,000) – replacement of the oldest (10-year-old) tower ladder, with a 4-year build time. - Command Vehicle ($300,000) – to replace a 15-year-old vehicle with water damage. - Personal Protective Equipment ($225,000) – to replace 50% of gear per contract (10-year shelf life). - Drill Field Storage Building – to provide covered storage for reserve vehicles. - Woodside Firehouse Repaving ($80,000). - Fire Maintenance Garage Lift Replacement – to replace a 50-year-old unsafe lift. - Tap Boxes – for pre-wired emergency generator connections. - 2025 Meeting Schedule: The board approved the schedule with adjustments: September meetings moved from the 9th and 23rd to the 2nd and 16th to avoid Rosh Hashanah. No conflicts with Diwali (October 20) were noted. Key Outcomes - All capital appropriations, closeouts, and transfers were approved unanimously or with one abstention (Garden Street). - The 2025 meeting schedule was adopted as amended. - The board will continue capital budget deliberations in October and November, with a formal review on December 2, 2024.

The Stamford Zoning Board met on October 8, 2024, at 6:30 PM via Zoom. The board held an executive session on pending litigation, conducted a public hearing on a map change application for properties on Parker Avenue, and discussed a proposed text amendment on non-conforming buildings. The board approved the map change and the previous meeting's minutes. Executive Session - The board entered executive session at 6:40 PM and exited at 7:41 PM to discuss pending litigation in the matter of 900 Long Ridge Road property owner LLC vs. City of Stamford Zoning Board. No votes were taken. Participants included the zoning board, staff (Ralph Blessing, Vanita Matter), and corporation counsel (Cindy Anger). Public Hearing - Application 224-21: Map Change for 37 and 41 Parker Avenue - Applicant: 492 Glenbrook Road LLC, represented by Attorney Jason Klein. Proposal: Rezone two lots from R6 (one- and two-family) to VC (Village Commercial) to allow for future residential development (estimated 18–20 apartments) with affordable units. The planning board had unanimously recommended approval, finding it consistent with the 2015 Master Plan and Glenbrook/Springdale TOD feasibility study. - Public comment: Scott Hollis (41 Fairmont Ave, Glenbrook Neighborhood Association) expressed concern that rezoning these two lots would isolate the adjacent lot at 47 Parker Avenue, potentially creating an unattractive property. Applicant responded they have not considered purchasing that lot and noted the rezoning has been identified as an opportunity for housing for nearly a decade. - Board discussion: Members praised the applicant's previous redevelopment at 492 Glenbrook Road. Concerns about setbacks and protection of the neighboring lot were raised, but members felt those could be addressed at the site plan stage. Discussion Items - Approval of Minutes: Minutes from September 30, 2024, were approved 3–0 (one abstention by Jerry Bozak, who was absent for that meeting). - Text Amendment Discussion: Section 10 – Non-Conforming Buildings. Staff member Ralph Blessing presented revisions in response to board concerns. Key changes: all conversions of non-conforming buildings from non-residential to residential will now require site and architectural plan approval (with public hearing); usable open space and parking requirements align with new construction, but relief can be granted administratively by the board. Board discussed how the amendment codifies existing practice. Staff will further analyze density standards for commercial districts (e.g., 460 Summer Street conversion) and bring revised text to the next meeting. No vote was taken. Key Outcomes - Approved map change (Application 224-21) to rezone 37 and 41 Parker Avenue from R6 to VC. Vote: 4-0. - Approved minutes of September 30, 2024. Vote: 3-0. - No action on text amendment; discussion continued to next meeting (scheduled for October 21, 2024) with potential vote. - Next meeting public hearing: 460 Summer Street application.

The Stamford Planning Board held a special work session on October 1, 2024, at 9:30 AM via Zoom and in-person at the Government Center sixth floor training room. The session was convened to train new board members on the capital budget process ahead of the first capital budget meeting scheduled for October 8, 2024. The meeting was led by Anthony Romano (Office of Policy and Management, OPM) and included introductions of new members Chet Salad and Jennifer (Vice Chair), along with staff Lindsay Cohen and El Gasignani. Mayor Caroline Simmons briefly attended. The meeting was informational, with no votes taken. Discussion Items - Capital Budget Overview: Anthony Romano explained the capital budget process, emphasizing that the Planning Board is the first of four key stakeholders (Planning Board, Mayor, Board of Finance, Board of Representatives). He described the pre-planning meeting (practice sessions for department heads), the planning board meetings (where departments present their cases), and the subsequent steps through the Mayor and other boards. - Key Dates: Important deadlines were reviewed: - December 10: Last day to receive all capital requests and wait report. - December 15: Director of Administration (Ben Barnes) provides safe debt letter to Board of Finance. - January 15: Board of Finance approves safe debt letter and submits to Planning Board. - February 10: Public hearing required by Planning Board. - March 1: Planning Board must deliver its capital budget to the Mayor. - March 8: Mayor completes proposed capital requests to Board of Finance and Board of Representatives. - Safe Debt Letter: The safe debt letter indicates the city’s bond capacity for the upcoming year. For the 2025 budget, the letter projected a bond issuance of $65 million, with $43 million expected to be allocated to new projects and the remainder to fund previously approved but unfunded projects (AUI – Approved but Unfunded). The board was advised that the safe debt letter is a guideline, not a binding limit. - Tier System Discussion: The board discussed the use of a tier system (Tiers 1-4) to prioritize projects. Some members questioned its effectiveness, noting that agency priorities do not always align with the master plan. Others noted that the tier system has been used in prior years for specific purposes (e.g., ARPA fund spending, school mold remediation). The board did not decide whether to use tiers this year. - Example Capital Request Sheet: Romano walked through an example from the previous year (a roof request for maintenance facilities) to show how the capital budget sheets are structured, including department priority, year-to-date balance, encumbrances, and historical spending. He highlighted that the Planning Board’s role is to align funding with the master plan, not to manage individual project details. Key Outcomes - No decisions or votes were taken during this work session. - The next step is the first capital budget meeting on October 8, 2024, where department heads will present their requests. - New members were encouraged to review past capital budgets and the safe debt letter available on the city website.

The meeting took place on October 1, 2024, at 16:30 UTC. The session was brief, with minimal formal discussion. The primary substantive topic was the status of text amendments to the city's regulations, specifically regarding BMR (Below Market Rate) requirements. The meeting concluded with a unanimous vote to adjourn. Discussion Items - BMR Text Amendment Status: A member inquired about the number of remaining text amendments for the city following the BMR text change. Another member responded that no amendments have been filed yet, but several are in development. Key Outcomes - Motion to Adjourn: A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting, which passed unanimously by voice vote (all in favor). The meeting ended shortly thereafter.