Stamford Planning Board forwards three variance referrals, tables one and recommends denial for 47 Ferris Avenue

The Stamford Planning Board on March 24 forwarded three applications to the Zoning Board of Appeals, tabled a second application pending additional materials and recommended denial for a proposed expansion of operations at 47 Ferris Avenue.

The board approved ZBA referral 1526 for 29 Congress Street, where architect Nicholas Faustini said the project is "a rather small addition, essentially squaring off the rear corner of the house" to align with an existing, nonconforming wall. The board raised no substantive objections and voted to send the application on to the ZBA with a recommendation of approval.

At 245 Skyview Drive, contractor Arsim Hajdari described an addition above an existing garage that leaves the house about "8 feet and 1 inch" from the property line. Staff advised that an existing nonconforming condition alone "is not grounds for granting a variance at the Zoning Board of Appeals," and urged the applicant to work with staff on the hardship evidence the ZBA requires. The board nonetheless voted to forward the application to the ZBA.

A request for 3 Saint Charles Avenue was on the agenda but no applicant participated by phone. Staff told the board the application lacked several necessary variances and did not include street centerline measurements; the board voted to table the item and asked the applicant to return with complete plans and justification for the proposed addition.

The board moved to recommend denial of the application for 47 Ferris Avenue after staff reported multiple unpermitted modifications and questioned whether expanding a rug‑cleaning business is consistent with the property's residential neighborhood future land‑use category. "They've done some things without asking permission," staff said, describing added parking in the front yard, widened curb cut and added garage doors. With the applicant not present, members concluded approval was not appropriate and the motion to deny carried.

Finally, the board approved referral 02226 for 53 Archer Lane, where the applicant's representative described the addition as required to provide a functional, accessible bathroom to support a resident with mobility limitations. A board member said the work appears consistent with comprehensive‑plan objectives to promote aging in place.

The board also approved its March 10 meeting minutes; one member, Robbie, recorded an abstention. The Planning Board adjourned at 7:11 p.m. The next regular meetings are scheduled for April 14, April 28 and May 5.

Votes at a glance - Minutes (March 10): motion to approve carried; Robbie abstained (motion moved by a board member; Jeremy seconded). - ZBA 1526 (29 Congress St., Ruiz/Faustini): forwarded to ZBA with recommendation to approve. - ZBA 01626 (245 Skyview Dr., Hajdari/Bravo): forwarded to ZBA with recommendation to approve, with staff follow‑up requested. - ZBA 01826 (3 Saint Charles Ave., Arango): tabled for complete plans and street centerline measurements. - ZBA 02126 (47 Ferris Ave., Pazmino/47 Ferris LLC): forwarded to ZBA with recommendation to deny. - ZBA 02226 (53 Archer Lane, Green/Fischel Architecture): forwarded to ZBA with recommendation to approve.

Next steps: Each referred application will appear before the Zoning Board of Appeals for final action; the Arango application will return to the Planning Board only after the applicant provides the missing measurements and variance list requested by staff.