Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning Amendment Ca80 topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Danbury zoning commission approves allowing high-precision tool manufacturing in CA80 zone
Summary
The Danbury Zoning Commission unanimously approved an amendment to the CA80 zone on April 22 that permits indoor high-precision tool manufacturing and assembly on parcels meeting minimum standards, aiming to attract employers to underused West Side sites.
The Danbury Zoning Commission voted unanimously April 22 to amend the CA80 zoning district to allow high-precision tool manufacturing and assembly as a permitted use, with conditions meant to limit impacts on nearby properties.
Planning Director Waleed Al Bakri framed the change as part of a broader effort to modernize the city’s zoning rules and to make underused commercial parcels on Danbury’s West Side more attractive to employers. He said the draft language limits the use to indoor operations and includes lot-size and other requirements to prevent noise, outdoor storage and nuisance impacts.
The amendment was supported in the meeting by a unanimous positive referral from the city’s Planning Commission and a written endorsement from WestCOG staff, which said the proposal is primarily of local interest and promoted efficient land use. Councilman Paul Rotello submitted a letter read into the record urging approval; Rotello suggested the change could boost nonresidential valuations and long-term job growth.
Attorney Tom Beecher, representing Prindle Lane LLC (the Steiner family) and a prospective tenant, Blackstone Industries, told commissioners the change is narrowly tailored. “This proposed change is for a very specific type of manufacturing and assembly of precision tools,” Beecher said, adding the regulation would not allow outdoor activity or storage and would require a minimum three‑acre lot for such uses.
Property owner Greg Steiner and a Blackstone representative said the company plans to consolidate operations into roughly 75,000 square feet in Danbury after the zoning change. “We’re really looking forward to moving into our new location,” the Blackstone representative said, thanking the commission and city staff for moving quickly so the company can meet its schedule.
Commissioners asked whether the listed uses reflected existing activity and whether the city should seek other industries; Director Al Bakri said the amendment updates longstanding use categories and seeks to attract quiet, modern light‑industrial employers while protecting neighborhood quality.
Commissioner Botello moved for a positive recommendation citing consistency with the Plan of Conservation and Development’s economic strategy and a lack of adverse impacts to public health, safety or welfare; the motion carried in a roll‑call vote with all members present voting yes.
Next steps: the amendment will be incorporated into the zoning regulations as adopted by the commission; no implementation date was specified during the meeting.
