Planning and Zoning Commission

• Meeting Schedule
• Agendas & Minutes
• On Demand Commission Meeting Recordings (GoToMeeting)
  

2020 Meeting Schedule and Application Deadlines

Note:    The next P&Z Commission meeting is Tuesday, September 1, 2020. That meeting will be held using GoToMeeting. Details for joining the meeting:

Planning & Zoning Commission
Tue, Sep 1, 2020 8:00 PM (EDT)

Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/348461677

You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (669) 224-3412

Access Code: 348-461-677

New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/348461677

Materials for pending applications can be found at: www.darienct.gov/pzcpendingapplications

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

To contact the Planning & Zoning Commission, you can send an e-mail to:  DarienPZC@darienct.gov.

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Links to applications of public interest:

Proposal put forth by Baywater 34 OKHS, LLC - 34 Old Kings Highway South:

• Zoning Application Binder
• Plans Binder
• Full Engineering Report
• Fire Marshal's Comments--March 2020.
• Traffic Authority Comments
• Letter dated May 11, 2020 to applicant regarding required mailings
• Proof of neighbor mailings
• DPW comments on application, dated May 28, 2020
• Updated Site Plans, dated June 2, 2020
• Updated Landscape and Plaza Plans, dated June 2, 2020
• Updated Architectural Plans, dated June 2, 2020
• Parking Lot Easement Map, revised June 25, 2008
• Recorded Declaration of Easements and Parking Lot Agreement
• Public hearing presentation slides, June 2, 2020
  

The public hearing was opened on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 and was continued to and closed on June 9, 2020.  The proposed amendements of the Darien Zoning Regulations were adopted by the Commission with an effective date of August 9, 2020 and are here.  The Business Site Plan Application and Special Permit application were approved by the Commission with conditions with an effective date of August 9, 2020 and are here.  Notices of these decisions will be posted in the July 23 Darien Times.

Proposal put forth by Darien Place, LLC - 1077 Boston Post Road:

• Planning & Zoning Commission Application Form
  
• Table of Contents- Application Attachments
  

1. Narrative
   
2. Parking Study
   
3. Shared Parking Lot Agreements
   
4. Light Fixture Specifications & Site Lighting Plan
   
5. Map and List of Neighboring Properties
   
6. Aerial Photo of Site
   
7. Zoning Location Survey
   
8. Logistics Plan Depicting Location of Items During Construction
   
9. Site Development Plans
   
10. Landscape Plan
    
11. Architectural Plans and Perspectives
    

• CDM Smith Peer review report March 2020
• Referral comments from the Darien Health Department
  
• Referral comments from Darien Fire Marshal
  
• Proof of Mailing---map and letters to neighbors.
• Support letter from D. Dolcetti
  
• 2 pages from 1951 Study Off-Street Parking Plan for Darien Center
• April 7, 2020 Milone & MacBroom response to peer review comments (4 pages).
• E-mail dated April 23, 2020 from M. Reese Hutchison.
• Referral comments from Darien Public Works Dept.
• April 27, 2020 peer review comments from CDM Smith.
  
• Email dated April 24, 2020 from Gina Zangrillo
  
• Email dated April 27, 2020 from Amy Zabetakis to Dr. Alan Addley, Superintendent of Schools.
  
• Pages 172-173 from 2016 Darien Plan of Conservation & Development
• Email thread between Jeremy Ginsberg & Fred Conze re: parking at 35 Leroy.
• Landscape and Aerial Plans - submitted April 27, 2020.
• Adopted Resolution, dated June 2, 2020
  

A public hearing held on March 31, 2020, was immediately continued to Tuesday, April 14, 2020 at 8pm in Darien Town Hall.  It was further continued on April 28, 2020 at 8pm in Darien Town Hall and via GoToMeeting.  The public hearing was closed that night, and the Commission started its deliberations on May 5, 2020.  On June 2, 2020, the Commission approved the project with conditions (see adopted resolution, dated June 2, 2020 above). The Commission's decision on the matter is to be published in the June 11, 2020 edition of the Darien Times.

For links to other applications now pending with the Darien Planning & Zoning Commission, go to:

www.darienct.gov/pzcpendingapplications

This includes applications related to the following properties:  Darien Historical Society; 18 Shennamere Road; 47 Five Mile River Road; 218 Long Neck Point Road; 3 Salem Straits; 20 Juniper Road; 1077 Boston Post Road; and Ox Ridge School at 395 Mansfield Avenue, 3 Salem Straits, 49 Sunswyck Road, 5 Homewood Lane; 26 Leeuwarden Lane, 17 Brush Island Road, 12 Nolen Lane.

Proposal put forth by Affordable Self Storage, Inc. (John Hertz) to modify the 3.7AH Zone.

• Proposed Amendment to modify Darien Zoning Regulations (COZR #1-2020)
  

A public hearing was held on January 21, 2020. 

The Commission adopted the zoning regulation amendment on February 11, 2020.  It is Amendment #77.  The details are at:  http://www.darienct.gov/zoningregamendments

Proposal put forth by Callari/BMW to modify the SB Zone.

• Amendment to Modify Darien Zoning Regulations (COZR #5-2019)
  

The Commission decided this matter on January 28, 2020.  The Regulation amendments took effect February 16, 2020.

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

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 Commission decided this matter on July 30, 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.

Town of Darien Multi-Family & Affordable Housing Inventory

• March 3, 2020 Press Release
  
  

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
  
• Lawrence T. Warble, Jr. (R) -- Exp. 11/13/2023
  
• James Rand (R) -- Exp. 11/2021
• Cara Gately (R) -- Exp. 11/13/2023
• George Reilly (D) -- Exp. 11/13/2023

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). 
  

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 July 29, 2020.