Planning Board affirms Roxbury K–8 plan and agrees demolition referral

The Stamford Planning Board voted Dec. 16 to affirm that the proposed Roxbury K–8 school project is consistent with the city’s comprehensive and capital plans and accepted a referral to authorize demolition of several existing structures on the Roxbury site.

Board members heard a presentation from the project team explaining that the plan would replace the existing Roxbury K–5 facility with a new three-story K–8 building to expand capacity from roughly 500 students to about 850. Staff described a constrained site that requires demolition of two groups of portables and a later two-story classroom addition so the new building and construction logistics can be accommodated. The project is planned in two phases: an initial demolition and geothermal-well phase beginning the summer before main construction, followed by an 18‑month primary construction period ending with occupancy in August 2028.

Project consultants described site changes to accommodate bus and car queuing and a significant increase in parking — from roughly 45 existing spaces to more than 160 proposed — and noted flexibility in bus/car loop configurations (upper loop capacity described as roughly 24 buses or 45 cars; lower loop as roughly 22 buses or 34 cars). Board members asked about stormwater and permeable paving; the presenters said the play-surface areas are rubberized, porous and will help groundwater recharge, and that full-scale permeable paving was considered but eliminated because of cost and maintenance concerns.

During the design Q&A, board members also queried the footprint, three‑story layout and field orientation. Consultants said the three‑story design reduces the building footprint and is intended to limit internal circulation for younger students. They confirmed the primary athletic field is planned as natural grass and that final orientation and striping remain flexible as design development continues.

After discussion, a member moved to affirm the project’s alignment with the comprehensive and capital plans and to accept the mayoral referral for demolition under charter section 9-10. The motion passed with four votes in favor and one abstention. The board’s affirmation will be used as part of the city’s submission for the state bid authorization and to process demolition approvals.

Next steps: design development will continue to finalize field orientation, pavement/stormwater details and construction phasing; staff said Phase 1 (demolition and geothermal work) is set to begin in July, with main construction slated to begin in November 2026 and building occupancy expected in August 2028.