Planner proposes conditional-use overhaul; council asks for scope, fee estimates

The Fairfield Town Council heard a proposal from a planning consultant introduced as Jim Spung to begin rewriting sections of the town—s code, starting with conditional-use permit procedures.

Spung described prior work rewriting municipal land-use codes and said a reasonable first step would be to establish clear review procedures and decision-criteria for conditional-use permits. "The procedures section is also really critical... establish conditional use permit procedures," Spung said, offering to provide a detailed scope-of-work and itemized budget for each project.

Council members expressed support for an outside planner but sought limits and review checkpoints. One councilor asked whether the town could meet again in a month to "refresh" the work and asked that any contract include a 30-day termination clause; Spung and staff said a standard fee agreement with an itemized scope and a 30-day notice provision would be prepared for council review.

Council discussion focused on accountability, cost control and sequencing: members asked that Spung price both code work (hourly at $250 for complex tasks) and lower-cost review work (lower hourly rate for plan review) and to return with an itemized budget before the council authorizes hours. The council did not authorize a master contract during the meeting but directed staff to return recommended scope and fees ahead of the June budget meeting.

The planner said the goal is to make the code intuitive and administrable and to supply staff with standard forms and a table of review procedures so staff can process applications consistently. Council members asked for a firm written scope and a clear termination clause before committing additional funds.