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TUE 24Town Plan & Zoning Commission

Designed Business Districts zoning regulations advance after motion to postpone fails 2-5

Why it matters

Section 6 Designed Business Districts regulations establish three district types with dimensional standards including maximum heights of 3-4 stories, lot coverage of 75-90%, and floor area ratios of 150-325%. A motion to postpone the regulations to April 7th failed 2-5.

What is next
  • Coastal zone pool restrictions, fence and wall standards, and definitions scheduled for TPZ consideration on April 7, 2026
All decisions (11)

Easement agreements for sidewalk and roadway improvements at 85 and 101 Kings Highway East received unanimous positive referral to the Board of Selectmen.

Easement agreements for sidewalk and roadway improvements at 85 and 101 Kings Highway East received unanimous positive referral to the Board of Selectmen. The easements total 47 square feet (34 SF at 85 Kings Highway East and 13 SF at 101 Kings Highway East). Bill Hurley, Engineering Manager for the Town of Fairfield, presented the 8-24 review requests.

Vote
unanimously approved: to make a positive referral to the Board of Selectmen
Participants
  • Moved by: Mr. Randolph
  • Seconded by: Mr. Capozzi

Special Exception and Coastal Site Plan application for auto sales showroom, repair facility, and automotive storage lot at 26 & 65 Commerce Drive was unanimously recommended to public hearing.

Special Exception and Coastal Site Plan application for auto sales showroom, repair facility, and automotive storage lot at 26 & 65 Commerce Drive was unanimously recommended to public hearing.

Vote
unanimously recommended: to recommend application to public hearing
Participants
  • Moved by: Randolph
  • Seconded by: Capozzi

The coastal site plan application for an 11-foot by 17-foot FEMA-compliant inground pool at 1370 Fairfield Beach Road was unanimously approved with conditions.

The coastal site plan application for an 11-foot by 17-foot FEMA-compliant inground pool at 1370 Fairfield Beach Road was unanimously approved with conditions. Applicants Austin and Jillian Foulds received approval for the Beach District property. Five conditions were attached, including FEMA and flood protection compliance, soil erosion controls, a preconstruction meeting with Engineering, coordination on excavation limits and dike protection, and future pool safety barricade review requirements.

Vote
unanimously approved: to approve the coastal site plan application for pool construction at 1370 Fairfield Beach Road
Participants
  • Moved by: Mr. Levy
  • Seconded by: Ms. Monahan
Conditions
  • Architectural Plans to be in conformance with all FEMA standards and Fairfield's Flood Protection Regulations
  • Soil erosion and sedimentation controls shall be included on site plan and maintained during construction
  • Preconstruction meeting with Engineering department required prior to excavation/construction
  • Coordination with Engineering Department required for excavation limits, dike protection, excavation plan, equipment restrictions, and plumbing/electrical connections
  • Future pool safety barricade installation requires review by Public Works, Engineering and Town Plan and Zoning departments

A 1-story addition to the single-family residence at 127 James Street received unanimous coastal site plan approval.

A 1-story addition to the single-family residence at 127 James Street received unanimous coastal site plan approval. The application by Heidi and Craig Cinder includes two conditions: soil erosion and sedimentation controls must be shown on the site plan and maintained throughout construction, and elevation drawings must be revised to show flood vent locations (the minutes reference '3 Conditions' but list only two).

Vote
unanimously approved: Coastal site plan application for a 1-story addition to a single-family residence at 127 James Street
Participants
  • Moved by: Mr. Randolph
  • Seconded by: Mr. Capozzi
Conditions
  • Soil erosion and sedimentation controls shall all be included on the site plan and installed and maintained during the entirely of the construction project at the subject site
  • The elevation drawings are revised to show the location of the flood vents on the structure

Subdivision application for 688 Hulls Farm Road was unanimously approved with staff conditions.

Subdivision application for 688 Hulls Farm Road was unanimously approved with staff conditions. The application by Kosuidis Engineering, LLC on behalf of Hulls Farm Partners LLC will demolish an existing single-family residence and subdivide the property into two single-family residential lots in the Residence AAA zone. The approval includes an 8-24 review of a proposed right of way easement to the Town for potential future roadway widening on Morehouse Road. The Commission also recommended dedication of property along Morehouse Lane.

Vote
unanimously approved: to approve with staff conditions and to recommend dedication of property along Morehouse Lane
Participants
  • Moved by: Ms. Monahan
  • Seconded by: Mr. Randolph
Conditions
  • Staff conditions (specific conditions not detailed in source)

Sacred Heart University's special exception application to install an elevator tower and press box at 5151 Park Avenue was approved unanimously.

Sacred Heart University's special exception application to install an elevator tower and press box at 5151 Park Avenue was approved unanimously. The improvements are part of existing stadium renovations in an R-3 residential zone.

Vote
unanimously approved: to approve the special exception application for Sacred Heart University to install an Elevator Tower and Press Box at 5151 Park Avenue
Participants
  • Moved by: Mr. Randolph
  • Seconded by: Mr. Capozzi

A motion to postpone Section 6 Designed Business Districts regulations to the April 7th planning session and request a town attorney opinion failed 2-5.

A motion to postpone Section 6 Designed Business Districts regulations to the April 7th planning session and request a town attorney opinion failed 2-5.

Vote
2-5 failed: postpone section 2.c (Section 6 - Designed Business Districts) to the April 7th planning session and request an opinion from the town attorney
Participants
  • Moved by: Braun
  • Seconded by: Monahan
  • In favor: Monahan, Braun
  • Opposed: Levy, Corsillo, Randolph, Delgado, Capozzi

Section 6 Designed Business Districts regulatory text establishes three district types (Center Designed Business District, Designed Commercial District, and Neighborhood Designed Business District) with permitted uses, dimensional requirements, and performance standards.

Section 6 Designed Business Districts regulatory text establishes three district types (Center Designed Business District, Designed Commercial District, and Neighborhood Designed Business District) with permitted uses, dimensional requirements, and performance standards. The regulations specify permitted and special exception uses for each district type, including provisions for mixed-use development, commercial-to-residential conversions, and residential ground floor conversions to commercial use under PA 25-164. Dimensional standards include maximum heights of 3-4 stories (40-52 feet depending on district), maximum lot coverage of 75-90%, and maximum total floor area ratios of 150-325%.

Three proposed regulation sections covering coastal zone pool restrictions, fence and wall standards, and related definitions were postponed to April 7, 2026.

Three proposed regulation sections covering coastal zone pool restrictions, fence and wall standards, and related definitions were postponed to April 7, 2026. The postponement was moved by Ms. Monahan, seconded by Mr. Delgado, and approved unanimously.

Vote
unanimously postponed: to postpone items 4d-4f (Sections 4.2/20.2.5 on Coastal High Hazard VE and Coastal AE Zones, Section 19 on Fences and Walls, and Section 36 on Definitions) to April 7, 2026
Participants
  • Moved by: Ms. Monahan
  • Seconded by: Mr. Delgado

Stipulated Judgment approved 5-2 resolving Superior Court appeal over 4480 Black Rock Turnpike site plan.

Stipulated Judgment approved 5-2 resolving Superior Court appeal over 4480 Black Rock Turnpike site plan. The judgment modifies the April 1, 2025 site plan approval to include additional plantings, removal of a dog park, additional fencing, clarification of tenant obligations, garage lighting specifications, window specifications, and revised siding color. Attorney Hollister presented the joint motion and one member of the public spoke.

Vote
5-2 approved: to approve the stipulated judgment between the neighbors and applicant
Participants
  • Moved by: Mr. Levy
  • Seconded by: Mr. Randolph
  • In favor: Levy, Corsillo, Randolph, Delgado, Capozzi
  • Opposed: Monahan, Braun

The public hearing closed on a Special Exception and Coastal Site Plan application for 1249 South Pine Creek Road after no public comments were received.

The public hearing closed on a Special Exception and Coastal Site Plan application for 1249 South Pine Creek Road after no public comments were received. The application by Scott Molnar of RTB Fairfield LLC proposes demolishing an existing 1-story single family house and constructing a new 2-story FEMA compliant single family house in the Floodplain District. Jon Mullen presented the application.