Planning board recommends ZBA grant parking variance for Christ Sanctified Church, conditioned on continued shuttle/van service

The Stamford Planning Board voted Oct. 28 to recommend that the Zoning Board of Appeals approve a parking variance for Christ Sanctified Church of the Haitian Ministry at 127 Myrtle Avenue, with conditions aimed at ensuring parking management and limiting neighborhood impact.

Attorney Jason Klein presented the request and said the property contains 16 striped spaces after a road‑widening project removed two spaces; the current zoning requirement for a 100‑seat assembly is 25 spaces. The applicant is therefore seeking a variance for seven fewer spaces and formal recognition of eight existing tandem spaces that were permitted under older rules and now exist as a legally grandfathered configuration. Klein said the congregation currently averages roughly 36–50 attendees and uses a church van that shuttles up to 15 parishioners. "Pastor Frank has a van that drives up to 15 parishioners to and from the site for services," Klein said, adding that the church can formalize informal overflow arrangements with nearby properties and is close to bus stops.

Board members reviewed parking management options and conditions suggested in the staff report, including continuation of the van/shuttle program. One board member stressed that if the congregation grows to use the full 100 seats, the applicant should return to the ZBA for further review or a cap enforcement. Klein and Pastor Frank indicated willingness to accept a condition that the shuttle/van remain in operation and to document any shared parking agreements.

The planning board voted to recommend approval to the ZBA, conditioned on continued operation of the shuttle/van and efforts to formalize overflow parking agreements with adjacent property owners. The ZBA will make the final decision at its hearing.