The What: This Week in Southwest Connecticut
The What is your look around Coastal Connecticut for the week of August 8.
Monday, August 8
Happy Monday! Tomorrow is Primary Day in Connecticut so registered voters—those are registered with either the Democratic or Republican Party—can vote in their party’s primary election. While there isn’t a primary in the race for governor—incumbent Democrat Ned Lamont will face Republican Bob Stefanowski—there are multiple state and federal primaries including:
- Secretary of State for Connecticut
- Republican nominee for U.S. Senator to face Senator Richard Blumenthal in the fall
- Republican nominee for Congress in District 4 to face Congressman Jim Himes in the fall
ICYMI: Last week, we covered how all the municipalities in our region are opting out—or at least discussing opting out—of a state law that would allow accessory dwelling units in single-family zones. Learn more about the law and see what your community is planning to do.
Let’s see what’s happening around our area, which is a little quieter than usual before things get busy again later this month heading into September.
Stamford
In Stamford, the Planning Board will meet on Tuesday, August 9 at 6:30 p.m. The board will hear a request from the Board of Education for an additional $40,000 to make updates to the district’s master capital plan and its schedule. The district is planning to make improvements at almost all of its buildings over the next 10 years and recently received a higher reimbursement rate from the state to cover some of those costs. The board will also review plans to convert an office building on Seaview Avenue into 52 residential units with office space on the second floor.
Other meetings this week include
- Monday, August 8: Steering Committee of the Board of Representatives at 7 p.m.
- Tuesday, August 9: Labor, TLC and Policy Committee of the Board of Education at 6:30 p.m.
Norwalk
The Norwalk Housing Board of Commissioners will meet on Thursday, August 11 at 5:30 p.m. and discuss its CARES ACT funding from the federal government and receive a status report on modernization updates taking place at its Colonial Village property.
Other meetings this week include
- Tuesday, August 9: Conservation Commission/Inland Wetland Agency at 6 p.m. | Common Council at 7:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, August 10: Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs Committee at 7 p.m.
- Thursday, August 11: Finance and Claims Committee at 7 p.m.
Fairfield
The public hearing on the proposed development at 15 Unquowa Road continues this week at the Town Plan & Zoning Commission on Tuesday, August 9 at 6:30 p.m. During this public hearing, the applicant will have a chance to respond to the questions, comments, and issues raised by members of the public last week. The proposed development would include 63 units, of which 30% would be affordable, under state statute 8-30g. The statute allows developers to bypass certain local regulations if 30% or more of the development is “affordable.”
Other meetings this week include
- Tuesday, August 9: Sustainable Fairfield Communications & Outreach Committee at 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, August 10: Police Commission at 4:30 p.m. | Grt Bpt Transit Authority at 6:30 p.m. | Shellfish Commission at 7 p.m.
- Thursday, August 11: Zoning Board of Appeals at 7 p.m. | Fire Commission at 7 p.m. | Sustainable Fairfield Task Force at 7 p.m.
Greenwich
The Board of Selectmen will meet on Thursday, August 11 at 10 a.m. and will discuss and vote on opting out of the state law that would allow accessory dwelling units in single-family zones. While the board’s vote is not required to opt out—the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Representative Town Meeting must have ⅔ of their members vote to opt out—it would show that it supports the decision. Learn more about what other communities in our region related to opting out of the state law.
Other meetings this week include
- Monday, August 8: Energy Management Advisory Committee and Planning and Zoning Team at 9:30 a.m. | Energy Management Advisory Committee at 3 p.m. | FS Re-Imagine Greenwich at 3 p.m.
- Wednesday, August 10: Affordable Housing Trust Board and Advisory Council at 3 p.m. | Planning and Zoning Board of Appeals Public Hearing at 7 p.m.
Darien
On Monday, August 8, the Board of Selectmen will hold a special executive session meeting—meaning the board will have discussions that are not open to the public—related to “personnel and discussion of the purchase of real estate at 6 p.m.” At 7 p.m., the board will hold its regular meeting.
- Wednesday, August 10: Darien Beautification Commission at 10 a.m. | Advisory Committee on Sustainability at 12 p.m.
- Thursday, August 11: Police Commission at 4 p.m. | RTM - Public Works at 7:30 p.m.
Westport
The town’s Historic District Commission will meet on Thursday, August 11 at 7 p.m. to meet with a cultural resources management team called PaleoWest to gather information about creating a town-wide historic preservation plan.
Other meetings this week include
- Tuesday, August 9: Arts Advisory Committee at 12 p.m.| Zoning Board of Appeals at 6 p.m.
- Thursday, August 11: Public Site and Building Commission at 5 p.m.
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.
Thank you for reading!
If you are interested in being a part of our reporting or just want to share your thoughts, please reach out at coastalconnecticuttimes@gmail.com.
Have a great week,
Kelly Prinz
Founder, Reporter at Coastal Connecticut Times
Correction: The email version of this week's The What incorrectly listed the date for Stamford's Planning Board meeting. It has been updated here to reflect Tuesday, August 9. We apologize for the error.
