The What: This Week in Southwest Connecticut
The What is your look around southwest Connecticut for the week of June 27.
Happy Monday!
This week is a big one in Darien, as the Representative Town Meeting will be voting on the purchase of Great Island—a $100+ million purchase that would give the town more than 60 acres of mostly open space along the Long Island Sound.
In Fairfield, members of the public have their chance to learn more before weighing in on proposed changes to the town’s charter before the Board of Selectmen votes to put them on the ballot for November.
And in Stamford, the Zoning Board is continuing to hear public comments, before potentially voting on plans to rezone areas near the train station.
Across the region, municipalities are gearing up for Fourth of July celebrations this week. Looking for a place to see the fireworks? Check out our list.
(Which as a reminder, The What will be off on Monday, July 4 and will be in your inboxes on Tuesday, July 5.)
Let’s explore what else is happening around the area this week.
Stamford
Areas close to the Stamford Transportation Center could be rezoned to allow for more development in the area, according to a proposal from the city’s Land Use Bureau.
The Zoning Board will continue to gather public feedback and potentially vote on this proposal at its meeting on Monday, June 27 at 6:30 p.m.
The map changes would allow for more development, such as apartments, retail space, and more. The proposal stems from a 2018 South End Neighborhood Study that aimed to focus development for the area on “former industrial sites in the southwest of the peninsula and around the Stamford Transportation Center.” According to the city, while the southwest portion of the area has been developed with the Harbor Point development, the area around the transportation center has not.
The proposed changes would affect the area that is bound by North State Street to the north, Canal Street and the East Branch of Stamford Harbor to the east, Market Street to the south, and the Mill River to the west.
The Zoning Board will also conduct a pre application review from Lofts Owners LLC on their plans to “resolve current structural problems with the foundation” at the Lofts at Yale and Towne building.
Other meetings this week include
- Monday, June 27: Fiscal Committee at 7 p.m.
- Tuesday, June 28: Housing/Community Development/Social Services Committee at 6:30 p.m. | Planning Board at 6:30 p.m. | Legislative & Rules Committee at 7 p.m.
- Thursday, June 30: Parks & Recreation Committee at 7 p.m.
Norwalk
The Planning & Zoning Commission is hosting a special meeting on Tuesday, June 28 at 6 p.m. to review and discuss the city’s regulations regarding Accessory Dwelling Units, such as garage apartments or “granny pods.” The draft regulation says that the goal is to “encourage the creation of accessory dwelling units in existing single-family zones for the purpose of providing rental housing for the elderly, single persons, and small families. Accessory dwelling units are further intended to enable the viability of Norwalk’s single-family zones.”
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At the Conservation Commission/Inland Wetland Agency meeting on Tuesday, June 28 at 7 p.m., there will be a public hearing on the city’s plans to replace the existing West Cedar Street Bridge at Five Mile River.
Also on Tuesday, June 28 at 7:30 p.m., the Common Council will vote to approve using $2 million of American Rescue Plan Act funds to go toward the city’s Parks and Recreation department for: improving, installing, and upgrading playgrounds at Bouton Street and Flax Hill Park, Kendall School, and Meadow Street Park; replacing fencing in Oyster Shell Park; and conducting a “fees and charges” demand study.
Other meetings this week include
- Monday, June 27: Traffic Authority at 4 p.m. | Police Commission at 4:15 p.m. | Bike / Walk Commission Special at 6 p.m.
- Tuesday, June 28: Tree Advisory Committee at 6 p.m.
- Thursday, June 30: Maritime Aquarium Board of Trustees & Authority at 6 p.m.
Fairfield
This week, there will be two special meetings of the Board of Selectmen, allowing residents to learn more about proposed changes to the town charter and give feedback.
On Monday, June 27 at 4 p.m., there will be a special meeting of the Board of Selectmen, featuring a presentation from the Charter Revision Commission and Attorney Steve Mednick, who served as counsel to the commission. The presentation will include a report and recommendations for the board to review and discuss. If there is time, there could be some public comment on Monday.
There will be a second special meeting of the Board of Selectmen on Wednesday, June 29 at 5:30 p.m. that will be a public hearing. Residents are invited to give comments and feedback on the commission’s report and recommendations. Following public comment, the board may choose to act on the recommendations that evening. However, if the Board would like to gather more feedback or gain additional information, there is a tentative meeting scheduled for Tuesday, July 5, where a vote on the recommendations could occur.
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The Board of Education will host a special meeting on Tuesday, June 28 at 6:30 p.m. to review the 10-Year enrollment projection study for the district, which was conducted by the SLAM Collaborative.
On Thursday, June 30 beginning at 6:30 p.m., residents are invited to the Parks & Recreation Master Plan workshop, which will take place in the Fairfield Ludlowe High School Cafeteria. The event will include an update on the master plan and a chance for residents to provide input on some draft concepts.
Other meetings this week include
- Monday, June 27: Special Projects Standing Building Committee at 5:15 p.m. | Representative Town Meeting at 8 p.m.
- Tuesday, June 28: Board of Education Policy Committee at 6 p.m. | Plan & Zoning Commission at 6:30 p.m. | Board of Education at 7:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, June 29: Police Commission (Traffic) at 8:30 a.m. | Land Acquisition Commission at 6 p.m.
- Thursday, June 30: METROCOG at 10 a.m. | Parking Authority at 7 p.m.
Greenwich
The Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on Thursday, June 30 at 4 p.m. on the Church Sherwood LLC application to build 192 units—of which 30% or 58 would be “affordable”— at Church Street, Sherwood Place, and Putnam Court. The public hearing will focus on “the remaining issues on this application, which include sewer, fire, traffic, and conflict of driveway locations and town trees,” according to a memo from the city’s Planning and Zoning staff.
The commission will also consider and potentially adopt amendments to the town’s Affordable Housing Plan that were approved by the Representative Town Meeting when it adopted the plan earlier this month.
Other meetings include
- Monday, June 27: Energy Management Advisory Committee at 3 p.m. | FS Re-Imagine Greenwich at 3 p.m. | Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency at 7 p.m.
- Tuesday, June 28: First Selectman's Diversity Advisory Committee at 12 p.m. | Board of Health at 6:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, June 29: Board of Parks and Recreation at 6:30 p.m.
Darien
With Darien’s Representative Town Meeting set to vote on the plans to purchase Great Island at its meeting on Monday, June 27 at 8 p.m., here is a guide to Great Island—what it is, what it could be used for, how the town plans to pay for it, and future steps.
Other meetings this week include
- Tuesday, June 28: Advisory Committee on Sustainability at 12 p.m. | Housing Authority at 6:30 p.m. | Board of Education at 7:30 p.m. | Planning & Zoning Commission at 7:30 p.m.
- Thursday, June 30: Darien Police Commission (Special) at 4 p.m.
Westport
The Planning and Zoning Commission will meet on Monday, June 27 at 7 p.m. to discuss and potentially adopt the draft Westport Affordable Housing Plan.
Other meetings this week include
- Tuesday, June 28: Board of Education Special at 7:15 p.m.
Please note: All of these agendas and information here are current as of Monday morning. 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
