Planning and Zoning Commission

• Meeting Schedule
• Agendas & Minutes

2019 Meeting Schedule and Application Deadlines

Channel 79 typically records each public hearing; a link to those videos is here.

Links to applications of public interest:

Proposal which went before the Darien Representative Town Meeting to increase land use board application fees and zoning permit fees.

• Proposal to increase land use board application fees and zoning permit fees.
  

The RTM approved this proposal on Monday, February 25, 2019.  The fee increase took effect on Sunday, March 31, 2019.

Proposal put forth to amend the Darien Zoning Map by WRE, LLC.(COZR#4-2019)

• Plan showing proposed zoning map amendment dated April 1, 2019
  
• Map showing properties within 500 feet of 671 Boston Post Road
  

Proposal to amend the Darien Zoning Map to rezone a 0.22+/- acre portion of 671 Boston Post Road from One-Family Residential – 1/3 Acre (R-1/3) to Designed Business One (DB-1) OR Designed Business (DB) (dependent on unrelated, pending application COZR #1-2019 / COZM #1-2019, before the Planning & Zoning Commission), and to apply the Designed Business and Residential (DBR) Overlay Zone to that 0.22+/- acre portion to match the zoning designations of the balance of the property. The amendments to the zoning district boundaries would run coincident with the property’s northernmost lot lines.

The Planning & Zoning Commission approved this application on July 1, 2019.

Proposals put forth by the Darien Planning & Zoning Commission to:

• Amend the Zoning Regulations and Zoning Map (COZR#1-2019, COZM#1-2019)
  
• Amend the Zoning Map for six specific parcels (COZR#2-2019)
  

The public hearing on these applications occurred on Tuesday, March 19, 2019 at 8pm in the Mather Center Cafe Extension (room 113), 2 Renshaw Road.  That public hearing was continued to April 9.  However, it was realized that there would not be a quorum of Planning & Zoning Commission members present on the 9th, so the public hearing was continued to:  Thursday, April 11, 2019 at 8 P.M.  The Regulation and Map amendments has been further continued to Tuesday, May 14, 2019, at 8pm in room 206 of Town Hall.  The public hearing was closed on May 14.  The Commission will be deliberating on this matter at on of their upcoming meetings.

The public hearing on the Zoning Map for six specific parcels has been closed, and no further testimony can be taken.  The Commission deliberated on that matter on April 23, 2019.  The Planning & Zoning Commission approved these applications on July 1, 2019.

Proposal put forth by the Darien Planning & Zoning Commission to amend the Darien Zoning Map to include certain properties in the Municipal Use (MU) Overlay Zone

• Amend the Darien Zoning Map to include certain properties in the Municipal Use (MU) Overlay Zone...application.
• Existing Section 420--Municipal Use Zone within the Darien Zoning Regulations.
• Letter from First Selectman Jayme Stevenson received April 11, 2019.
  
• Letter from Darien Board of Education received April 11, 2019.
  

The public hearing on this application was held on Thursday, April 11, 2019 at 8pm in the Mather Center Cafe Extension (room 113), 2 Renshaw Road.  The public hearing has been continued to Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at 8pm in room 206 of Town Hall.  The public hearing on this application has been closed, and no further testimony can be taken.  The Commission deliberated on that matter on April 23, 2019.  The Planning & Zoning Commission approved this application on July 1, 2019.

Proposal put forth for a cross-country path and boardwalk on the "Diller" property on Nutmeg Lane (adjacent to Darien High School)

• Application Form (3 pages)
•  Report from Tighe & Bond--February 2019 (13 pages)
• Plans for the Diller property--site plan, page 1, last revised March 29, 2019.
  
• Plans for the Diller property--details, page 2, last revised March 29, 2019
• Diller property chronology
  
• RTM meeting minutes of October 20, 1997
  
• Plans for the path on the Darien High School property prepared by Tighe and Bond (the latest, revised plans last revised March 29, 2019)
• Letter dated May 2, 2019 from Captain Donald Anderson
  
• May 2, 2019 Memo from Rich Jacobson, Environmental Protection Officer re: Diller property
  
• March 6, 2019 EPC approval for cross country track at Darien High School.
  
• Email dated May 6, 2019 re: running trail
•  First Selectman Jayme Stevenson letter of support dated May 7, 2019
  
• Comments from Parks and Recreation Chair Laurie Bora received May 7, 2019 at the Planning & Zoning Commission meeting
• Planning & Zoning Commission Mandatory Referral report under CGS 8-24, dated March 12, 2019.
• Planning & Zoning Commission approval for the cross-country path and boardwalk on the Diller property, dated May 28, 2019.
  

The Planning & Zoning Commission approved this project on May 28, 2019.  The Environmental Protection Commission (EPC) public hearing was concluded on May 1, 2019, and an EPC decision on this matter was made on June 5.

Proposal put forth for a cross-country path on the Darien High School property at 80 High School Lane (adjacent to the Diller property)

• Planning & Zoning Commission approval for the cross-country path on the High School property, dated May 28, 2019
  
• Environmental Protection Commission (EPC) approval for cross-country path on the High School property, dated March 2019.
  

The Planning & Zoning Commission approved this project on May 28, 2019.

Proposal put forth by Pemberton 16, LLC to Amend the Darien Zoning Regulations:

• Application to add a new Section 597 of the Regulations entitled, "Elderly Housing Developments in the Leroy-West Affordable Housing Overly Zone".
  

The public hearing on this regulation amendment was opened on Tuesday, March 26, 2019 at 8pm in the Darien Town Hall room 119, 2 Renshaw Road.  It was immediately continued to Tuesday, April 23, 2019 at 8pm. in room 206 of Town Hall, and has been further continued to May 28, 2019 and further continued to June 25, 2019.  The public hearing was closed on July 1, 2019.  The Commission will decide the matter in mid to late July.

Site Plan Amendment application for Pemberton 16, 77 Leroy Avenue--THIS APPLICATION WAS WITHDRAWN ON FEBRUARY 14, 2019.

• Current pending 2018 Pemberton 16 application with associated site plan
• Original application from 2008 prepared by the Stefanonis--Leroy-West Senior Residences May 16, 2008 stapled application booklet (pages 1-18 and A1-A43).
  
• Original Planning & Zoning Commission Adopted Resolution October 28, 2008 (denial)
  
• Court Decision by Judge Henry Cohn, February 16, 2012 (case entitled, Stefanoni v. Planning & Zoning Comm. of Darien)--16 pages
  
• Leroy - West Affordable Housing Overlay Zone regulations (Section 590 of the Zoning Regulations)--2 pages
  
• DLS Consulting Traffic Report submitted by Stefanonis dated May 2008 (7 pages and attachments)
• July 2, 2008 peer review letter submitted by Michael Galante of FP Clark Associates
•  July 28, 2008 peer review letter submitted by Michael Galante of FP Clark Associates
  
• August 1, 2008 peer review letter submitted by Michael Galante of FP Clark Associates
  

THIS APPLICATION WAS WITHDRAWN ON FEBRUARY 14, 2019.

Request for Amendment to Highland Farm Site Plan/Special Permit approval.

• Adopted Resolution of July 24,2018
• January 11, 2019 letter from First Selectman Jayme Stevenson
  
• Redlined Adopted Resolution for Highland Farm showing desired changes.
• Letter from Ox Ridge Riding & Racquet Club.
• February 5, 2019 Planning & Zoning Commission meeting minutes.
• February 5, 2019 Adopted Resolution modifying, clarifying and amending the July 24, 2018 approval.

 Plans approved by the Planning & Zoning Commission on February 5, 2019:

• Aerial Vicinity Exhibit by Redniss & Mead, last revised 05/23/2018, Sheet SV-1.
• Topographic Vicinity Exhibit by Redniss & Mead, last revised 05/23/2018, Sheet SV-2.
• Site Development Plan by Redniss & Mead, last revised 05/23/2018, Sheet SE-1.(the approved plan which shows the proposed development and landscaping).
• Sedimentation & Erosion Control Plan by Redniss & Mead, last revised 05/23/2018, Sheet SE-2.
  
• Notes & Details by Redniss & Mead, last revised 05/23/2018, Sheet SE-3.
• Details by Redniss & Mead, last revised 05/23/2018, Sheet SE-4.
• Images of Details by Redniss & Mead, last revised 05/23/2018, Sheet SE-5.
• Porous Parking Sections by Redniss & Mead, last revised 05/23/2018, Sheet SE-6.
• Coverage Comparison by Redniss & Mead, last revised 05/23/2018, Sheet EXH-1.
• Slope Exhibitby Redniss & Mead, last revised 05/23/2018, Sheet EXH-2.

Ox Ridge property at 560 Middlesex Road (Highland Farm)

• Plans
• Adopted Resolution of July 24,2018

Town of Darien Deed Restricted Affordable Housing & Public Transit Map

• Affordable Housing Map
  

Baywater Corbin Project 

• Corbin Drive--application binder
  
• Corbin block--Environmental Assessment--Tighe & Bond 7 pages
•  Corbin block--Parking Demand/Parking Management
• Corbin block--Sanitary Sewer System Capacity
• Corbin block--Traffic Impact Study (full)
• Corbin block--Traffic Narrative
• Corbin block--Engineering (full)
• Corbin block--Engineering Narrative
• Corbin block--Existing Conditions Survey
• Corbin block--Proposed Conditions Map Plot A
  
• Corbin block--Proposed Conditions Map Plot B
•  Corbin block--Engineering Plan

Supplemental information submitted on August 23, 2018:

• 8-23-2018 Cover Letter
  
• 7-11-2018 Engineering response memo
  
• 8-3-2018 Engineering response memo
  
• 8-13-2018 Engineering response memo
  
• 8-22-2018 Traffic Response Memo
  
• 8-22-2018 Sanitary Sewer Response Memo
  
• 8-22-2018 Revised Site Plan Sheets
  

Supplemental information submitted on August 30 & 31, 2018

• Supplemental stormwater plans 7 sheets
  
• Supplemental stormwater report--139 pages
• Cover letter--response to Town comments (1 page)
  
• Plan revisions--16 pages
  

Supplemental information discussed at September 11, 2018 public hearing

• Joint Statement from HUD and Dept. of Justice 2016 (20 pages)
  

This project was approved on November 27, 2018.  The Planning & Zoning Commission approval is here.  The next step is review and action by the Office of State Traffic Administration (OSTA).  Copies of letters sent to OSTA are:

• Letter from Donald Anderson of the Darien Police Department on behalf of the Legal Traffic Authority
  
• Letter from John Sini on behalf of the Planning & Zoning Commission
  

Baywater 26 East Lane Project 

• Special Needs/Senior Housing Overlay Zone--Zoning Regulation Amendment--20 pages.
• East Lane--application binder
  
• East Lane--Environmental Report by Tighe & Bond, 112 pages.
  
• East Lane--traffic assessment
  
• East Lane--engineering
  
• East Lane--plan set
  
• East Lane--existing conditions
• East Lane--proposed conditions

Supplemental information submitted on August 23, 2018:

• 8-23-2018 Cover letter--East Lane submissions
  
• 8-22-2018 Response Letter
  
• 8-21-2018 East Lane Site Plan
  
• 8-22-2018 East Lane Landscape Plan
  

This project was approved on November 27, 2018.

The Commons at Noroton Heights (FR Darien LLC/Federal Realty) Redevelopment Project - Heights Road/Noroton Avenue:

• Application
•  Zoning Map Revision
•  Site Plans
•  Civil/Site/Road/Utility Plans
•  Landscape Plans
•  Photometric Plan
•  Sanitary Sewer Report
•  Engineering Report (285 pages)
•  Traffic & Parking Study (556 pages)
•  Presentation from June 6 PZC Public Hearing
•  Drainage Presentation from June 6 PZC Public Hearing
•  West Avenue Cross Sections from June 6 PZC Public Hearing
•  Revised Drainage Report in Response to Consultant updated 7/17/2017
  

The Commission approved the project on September 12, 2017.

Noroton Heights Shopping Center (Palmer Family) Redevelopment Project - Heights Road:

• Application Binder
•  Survey
•  Plans
•  Engineering Report--dated November 18, 2016 by Tighe & Bond
•  Traffic Report (63 pages)--dated November 18, 2016 by Tighe & Bond
•  Full Traffic Impact & Parking Study (750+ pages)--dated November 18, 2016 by Tighe & Bond
•  Traffic Consultant Response from peer review traffic consultant FP Clark Associates (5 pages) dated January 4, 2017
•  Response to Traffic Consultant by Tighe & Bond (4 pages) dated January 31, 2017
•  Traffic Impact and Parking Report REVISED January 31, 2017 by Tighe & Bond (972 pages)
•  Letter from Attorney Maslan dated February 16, 2017
•  Engineering Report--REVISED February 9, 2017 by Tighe & Bond (190 pages)
•  Plans--REVISED February 9, 2017
•  Tighe & Bond Response to Commission Questions dated March 1, 2017
•  Tighe & Bond Drainage Storm Drainage System Design Revisions dated March 1, 2017
•  Drainage Plans--REVISED March 1, 2017
•  Peer review Traffic Consultant FP Clark Associates response dated March 2, 2017
•  Plans--REVISED March 1, 2017
•  Attorney Maslan's presentation slides from March 7, 2017

The Commission approved the Noroton Heights Shopping Center redevelopment project with conditions on May 2, 2017.  Link to approval is here.

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Members
(4-year term)

• Stephen Olvany (R)  Chairman -- Exp. 11/2021
  
• Jennifer Leahy (D) Vice-Chairman -- Exp. 11/2021
  
• Elizabeth Riva (R) Secretary -- Exp. 11/2019
  
• James Rand (R) -- Exp. 11/2021
• Cara Gately (R) -- Exp. 11/2019
• George Reilly (D) -- Exp. 11/2019

Ex-officio Members

• Jayme Stevenson, First Selectman
• Edward L. Gentile Jr., P.E., Public Works Director
  

Meetings

Public Hearings generally will take place the fourth Tuesday of every month, except in August and December. Meetings are scheduled to be held in Room 206 in the Town Hall. In situations where an exceptionally large attendance is anticipated, meetings may be reassigned to the Auditorium. A General Meeting may also be held during a Public Hearing or Planning Meeting in place of, or in addition to, such scheduled meetings. The Commission shall attempt to conclude all meetings by no later than 11:00 P.M. Detailed agendas are available the Friday before a meeting date from the Planning and Zoning Department, and on the Planning and Zoning Commission page of the Town web site. 

• 2016 Town Plan of Conservation & Development Adopted by the Commission in June 2016.  
• Links to the Darien Zoning Regulations and the Darien Subdivision Regulations.
• Printable Planning and Zoning Commission Application Form
• Planning and Zoning Commission Application Form that can be filled out in Adobe and printed
• Application Fees (in effect as of March 31, 2019.).  The Darien RTM approved a fee increase at their February 25, 2019 meeting, and the new fee schedule took effect on Sunday, March 31, 2019 at twelve noon.  The new fees can be found at the top of this page (under "Proposal to increase land use fees").
  

Link to help you prepare a list of neighbors within 100 feet of your property:  Abutter's Tool.
You should check this information with the Assessor's Office to ensure that you have the most recent and up-to-date information.  The information on the web was last updated August 1, 2018 for parcel mapping and ownership data, so it needs to be checked. 

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This page last updated on September 4, 2019.