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Planning Board approves master plan change for 27 High Ridge over neighbors’ objections
Summary
On a 3–2 vote the board approved MP447 to change 27 High Ridge Road from low‑density residential to commercial/arterial, clearing the way for a future zone change and possible addition of roughly 40–46 parking spaces; neighbors raised concerns about trees, sightlines and property lines.
The Stamford Planning Board voted 3–2 on June 10 to approve a master plan amendment (MP447) that reclassifies 27 High Ridge Road from master plan category 2 (low‑density single family) to category 7 (commercial/arterial), a preliminary step that allows future zoning and permit review for commercial development.
Attorney John Lyden, representing the property owners and Redness & Mead, said the application seeks to resolve a landlocked, steeply sloped parcel and provide "employee parking" that would reduce pressure on nearby retail lots. Lyden described the parcel as roughly half an acre and said the project would add "about on the plus side of 40 spaces" (he later said "I believe it's 46" when asked for a specific count).
Board members pressed the applicant on several fronts, including how often existing lots are at capacity, the need to remove trees and perform major grading, and whether the parcel would be permanently restricted to parking. Member Bill Levin questioned paving forested land "for something that seems to be pretty infrequent need," while other members said the area is growing and the parcel is impractical as a single‑family lot.
Neighbor David Adams, who identified himself as residing at 29 Flint Rock Road, said he was concerned about property lines and that clearing trees would open sightlines into adjacent backyards. Lyden said surveys had been completed and that the nearest houses would be roughly 147–156 feet from the proposed lot edge; he added that neighbor outreach would occur during a later zone‑change stage.
Board members and staff emphasized that the master plan change does not authorize construction. The board’s referral recommendation now permits the applicant to pursue a zone change and later site‑level review. The motion to approve MP447 was made by Ravi Subramanian and seconded by Jeremy Linder; the board recorded three votes in favor and two opposed.
