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The What

The What: More Transit-Oriented Communities in Lower Fairfield County; Rooster River Flooding Project in Fairfield, and more

The What is your look around southwest Connecticut for the week of August 3.

The What: More Transit-Oriented Communities in Lower Fairfield County; Rooster River Flooding Project in Fairfield, and more
Wasn't it just June? Hope you all are enjoying your summers. (Photo by Kelly Prinz)

Monday, August 3

Happy Monday! I know I said this last week, but I just am not ready for it to be August already! We’ve got the latest on a new report on transit-oriented development in the region, and some important meetings happening this week, so let’s dive in. 

Highlights 

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

  • Six train stations in our region were identified as “near-term” opportunities to create transit-oriented communities as Connecticut continues to develop new strategies to address its housing challenges. Dive into the latest report from the latest Regional Plan Association or watch our quick highlight video. 
  • In Stamford, the Board of Representatives is meeting on Monday, August 3 and, among other things, will vote to close out numerous capital projects and reallocate the remaining $330,000 balance to repairs at the Yerwood Center. 
  • In Norwalk, the Land Use & Building Management Committee will be scheduling a public hearing on awarding the lease of concession and catering space at Calf Pasture Beach (aka the former Ripkas) to Luca’s Kitchen, which has been running a food truck and kitchen at the site this season. 
  • In Fairfield, following rounds of heavy storms, the Board of Selectpersons is meeting on Wednesday, August 5 to vote on a new construction contract to start work on the detention basins in the area. 

Spotlight

This section features our main reporting each week.

Six train stations in our region were identified as “near-term” opportunities to create transit-oriented communities as Connecticut continues to develop new strategies to address its housing challenges. 

Stamford, Noroton Heights (in Darien), Darien, South Norwalk, East Norwalk, and Fairfield–Black Rock were identified as station areas “where existing transit and infrastructure can generally support additional development and underutilized land offers potential for infill [developments],” according to a new report. 

Across the state, 19 station areas were identified as “near-term opportunities,” with 21 more labeled as “mid-term opportunities,” to add transit-oriented development. The report, titled “Homes on Track: Connecticut—Part Two: Building Thriving Communities Around Transit,” comes from the Regional Plan Association, a nonprofit organization that conducts research, planning, and advocacy around housing, transit, and economic opportunities. 

“Building more homes around our existing transportation infrastructure is one of the most effective ways to improve affordability while strengthening downtowns, expanding access to opportunity, and reducing the fiscal and environmental costs of sprawl,” Tom Wright, president and CEO of Regional Plan Association said in a statement. “Connecticut now has important new tools to advance that vision, and this analysis can help ensure that public investment is strategic and focused where it can unlock lasting benefits.”

Explore some of the report’s findings and what they mean for our area, or watch our quick highlight reel. 

This Week at a Glance

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

Bridgeport

Featured Meeting: The City Council will meet on Monday, August 3 at 7 p.m. and vote on numerous items, including transferring $115,000 for trash collection in the Downtown Special Services District, and reviewing multiple grant submissions including for a Safe Streets for All grant for the East Main Street Reconstruction project.

Stamford

Featured Meeting: The Board of Representatives will meet on Monday, August 3 at 6:30 p.m. and will address multiple items including voting to close out numerous capital projects and reallocate the remaining $330,000 balance to repairs at the Yerwood Center, and approving a contract with Stantec for the pedestrian and bicycle safety project on Washington Boulevard.

Norwalk

Featured Meetings: The Land Use & Building Management Committee will meet on Wednesday, August 5 at 7 p.m. and schedule a public hearing on awarding the lease of concession and catering space at Calf Pasture Beach (aka the former Ripkas) to Luca’s Kitchen, which has been running a food truck and kitchen at the site this season. In addition, on Thursday, August 6, the Economic and Community Development Committee will meet at 7 p.m. and review a proposal to authorize $499,957 (mostly in grant funding) for a safety action plan for the city. And the Planning and Zoning Commission will meet on Wednesday, August 5 at 6 p.m. and review multiple applications including one from developer Jason Milligan to convert a project that was approved for 105 housing units and a 119-room hotel into a 207 unit multifamily development. 

Fairfield

Featured Meeting: Following rounds of heavy storms, the Board of Selectpersons is meeting on Wednesday, August 5 at 4 p.m. to vote on a new construction contract to start work on the detention basins in the area. 

Greenwich

Featured Meeting: The Planning and Zoning Commission will meet on Tuesday, August 4 at 4 p.m. and review multiple applications including from the planned restaurant at 34 Railroad Avenue to increase the approved seating capacity from 112 dining seats to 130 dining seats and to add a 20-seat bar area, for a total of 150 seats.

Darien 

Featured Meeting: No featured meeting this week

  • Wednesday, August 5: Environmental Protection Commission at 7 p.m. 
  • Thursday, August 6: Advisory Sidewalk Committee at 9:30 a.m. | Police Commission at 4 p.m. | Advisory Conservation Committee at 7 p.m. 

Westport

Featured Meeting: The Board of Finance will meet on Monday, August 3 at 7 p.m. and host a mid-year discussion on the town’s finances. 

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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