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The What

The What: Darien Looks to Pause ‘Large’ Multifamily Developments; Budget Decision Days; and more

The What is your look around southwest Connecticut for the week of March 30.

The What: Darien Looks to Pause ‘Large’ Multifamily Developments; Budget Decision Days; and more
Happy last week of March! (Photo by Kelly Prinz)

Monday, March 30

Happy Monday! What a crazy finish by UConn to make it to the Final Four! Let’s see what else is happening around the region this week. 

Highlights 

This section gives a brief overview of the key items in the newsletter.

Spotlight

This section features our main reporting each week.

The Darien Planning and Zoning Commission is planning to vote on a one-year moratorium for “large multifamily developments,” or projects with 25 or more units. 

Jeremy Ginsberg, the town’s director of land use, said there were a few reasons behind the proposed moratorium including a need for the commission to finish its work on the 10-year master plan. In addition, he and commissioners said that the town has had a lot of multifamily housing added in the last few years and they wanted to see the impacts of it on the town.

“I’m mindful of the need for this moratorium,” First Selectman Jon Zagrodzky said at the commission meeting. “The idea of a pause to allow what has been a non-trivial amount of development in town that seems not just to make sense, but to resonate with most residents with whom I speak.”

There would be some exemptions—particularly any projects that come under state statutes like 8-30g as they are governed by a separate set of regulations. But the moratorium comes amid a larger conversation happening across the state about the need for more housing. 

A February 2026 report from CT Data Haven found that the state is “facing a historic housing affordability crisis.” The report noted that the state “ranks dead last nationally in the number of active housing listings for every ten thousand households … second to last in its rental vacancy rate, as of 2024.” In addition, the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness found that homelessness in Connecticut rose by 44 percent since 2021.

Check out our full piece to explore the reasons for the moratorium and learn more about the conversation around housing taking place across the state. You can also explore our video highlights.

This Week at a Glance

This section aims to highlight the most important meetings and news taking place each week. 

  • In Bridgeport, the Planning and Zoning Commission will meet on Monday, March 30 at 6:15 p.m. to review and vote on issuing a favorable recommendation to the City Council for the disposition of three parcels that are the former Bassick High School property.
  • In Stamford, the Zoning Board will meet on Monday, March 30 at 6:30 p.m. and receive the annual report on the city’s Below Market Rate program. 
  • Also in Stamford, budget reviews are ongoing. There will be a joint Fiscal Committee and Board of Finance meeting on Tuesday, March 31 at 7 p.m. to review the budgets of the police and fire departments.
  • In Norwalk, the capital budget process is moving along with budget reviews by the Economic and Community Development Committee. The first part will take place on Tuesday, March 31 at 6 p.m. and the second half—which will also include the committee’s recommendation to the City Council—on Thursday, April 2 at 6 p.m.
  • Also in Norwalk, there’s a special Meet Mayor at Sweet Ashley’s event on Wednesday, April 1 at 4:30 p.m., where residents are invited to connect with Mayor Barbara Smyth.
  • In Fairfield, there will be two Board of Finance meetings to finalize the budget—a discussion on Monday, March 30 at 7 p.m. and the vote on Tuesday, March 31 at 7 p.m.
  • Also in Fairfield, the Board of Selectpersons will meet on Wednesday, April 1 at 4 p.m. to vote on a $3.7 million contract with Tecton Architects for design services for Dwight Elementary School with an Early Childhood Center. The board will also receive updates on the fill pile remediation work and safe streets initiative. 
  • In Greenwich, on Tuesday, March 31, it will be the Board of Estimate and Taxation Decision Day 1 at 9 a.m., where the board will debate and potentially vote on the budget for 2026–2027. There’s a potential second day scheduled for Wednesday, April 1 if additional time is needed.
  • In Darien, the Board of Finance will meet on Tuesday, March 31 at 7:30 p.m. to continue discussing the budget, particularly around the Board of Education and projected investment earnings.
  • In Westport, the Planning and Zoning Commission will meet on Monday, March 30 at 6 p.m. and review an application to construct 30 units at 455 Post Road. 

Plan Your Week

This section includes a list of meetings, events, and programming happening around southwest Connecticut each week.

Bridgeport

Stamford

Norwalk

Fairfield

 Greenwich

Darien

Westport

Stay in touch!

As we continue to grow and evolve, please join us! You can do that by:

Please note: All of these agendas and information here are current as of Sunday night. Meeting times and agendas may get adjusted throughout the week.

Have a great week,

Kelly Prinz

Founder, Reporter at Coastal Connecticut Times

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