Architectural Review Board recommends site and landscaping changes for 326 Ferry Boulevard; notes applicant’s zoning petition for boat sales and repairs

The Town of Stratford Architectural Review Board voted unanimously March 13 to adopt a set of advisory design and site recommendations for 326 Ferry Boulevard and to void and replace its prior recommendation letter. The board’s action followed a presentation by the applicant’s attorney and consultants and came as the applicant seeks a zoning change to permit outdoor boat display, sales and repairs as a special-case exception in a CA zoning district.

The board recommended relocating the dumpster to the northeast corner of the property, adding more landscaping closer to the building (including possible seasonal planters on the sidewalk terraces), using large evergreen trees to screen an EPA-installed chain-link fence, repaving or resealing the existing asphalt to provide contrast with the proposed light-gray siding, ensuring any new fencing is sensitive to neighbors and prohibiting new chain-link fencing, and exploring reconfiguration of the southern parking area to increase green space along Ferry Creek. The board also voted to declare its previous recommendation letter null and void and to supersede it with the new recommendations dated 03/13/2025.

“I would like to make a motion, for the following suggestions for 326 Ferry Boulevard,” said Tom Sharkwitz, a board member who moved the recommendations. The motion listed the items above and included direction that proposed plantings be spaced to achieve effective screening. John Zabel seconded the motion; the chair called the voice vote and the motion carried unanimously.

Presenters said the site plan revisions include enlarging required open space at the rear of the front lot and on the left side of the building, moving a dumpster away from the building and constructing an enclosure, and re-labeling an interior room as storage so the business would not operate a kitchen on site. Peter Harvey, attorney for the applicant, said the team changed the location of open space and plantings after consulting a landscape architect and that the dumpster would be placed “at the rearmost part of the front lot on the Ferry Creek side” and concealed from the street.

Sam Plaster, the project’s landscape architect, described planting changes and materials. “Callery pairs are no longer there. We will put piece of dogwoods and purple plums,” Plaster said, and the team said they would use larger evergreens to screen the chain-link fencing installed as part of the Superfund cleanup. Commissioners also discussed the scale and spacing of proposed plantings and whether additional planting strips could be added near the building footprint rather than only around the perimeter.

Architect Joseph Russo of JMR Design Consultants said architectural changes include adding a cupola or “lighthouse” element, additional brackets and fascia, hidden rooftop mechanicals behind a parapet, and railings on ramps. Commissioners generally praised the added architectural detail while pressing the applicant to reduce the visual impact of large paved areas and the dumpster sightlines along Ferry Creek.

Board members repeatedly urged the applicant to explore moving diagonal parking closer to the building or otherwise reducing asphalt area in the southern lot to create more contiguous green space along the creek. Commissioners noted the site’s visibility on Ferry Boulevard, the proximity of neighboring houses on Willow Avenue, and the project’s location within the Raymark cleanup area; one commissioner noted the dumpster and parking layout could affect the viewshed to Ferry Creek.

The board clarified the action was advisory: the zoning commission retains final authority on any changes to the CA zoning district that would allow outdoor display, sales or repair of boats. A board member suggested the applicant highlight the changes in the ARB recommendation when presenting to the zoning commission. The applicant’s attorney said he planned to present the revised materials and the board’s recommendations to zoning staff and the zoning commission.

Next steps: the ARB’s recommendation will accompany the applicant’s submission to the zoning commission; the zoning commission will make any final determination on the requested zoning exception and any regulatory changes.