Danbury planning commission closes public hearing on 'Legacy on Main' after traffic debate; water-main referral approved

The Danbury Planning Commission voted on Aug. 20 to close the public hearing on Tower Investment Group LLC’s application for the "Legacy on Main," a proposed apartment complex and bank at 30–34 Main Street, after hearing detailed traffic analysis and competing recommendations from the applicant’s engineers and city staff.

Attorney Tom Beecher, representing Tower Investment Group, told the commission the applicant had submitted revised site, architectural and landscaping plans addressing staff comments and estimated a roughly 20-month construction timeline. Beecher cited a traffic memorandum prepared by Dr. Donald Poland that breaks down the project’s unit mix — 72 efficiency units, 121 one-bedroom units and 16 two-bedroom units — and projects only 12 school‑aged children from the development, seven of whom would be new to Danbury schools.

Traffic consultant Joe Balskus, who presented an updated study and capacity analysis, said the project’s net effect would reduce weekday peak-hour traffic because it replaces office space and a bank with residential uses. "We believe and state in the record that the requested traffic-signal improvements are unwarranted," Balskus said, arguing the Office of State Traffic Administration (OSTA) methodology nets proposed trips against existing uses and applies a 100‑trip peak‑hour threshold for intersection study.

Commissioners pressed Balskus on occupancy assumptions and the difference between daily vehicle counts and peak‑hour impacts. Balskus acknowledged that while the conversion will add daily vehicle trips compared with today’s low office occupancy, "from an OSTA standpoint, we look at net new trips," and his capacity analysis showed only minor queue increases at the site driveway and no operational problems on Main Street.

City staff and the city traffic engineer, however, had earlier reported that the project would generate about 100 morning peak trips and 120 afternoon peak trips. Planning director Waleed asked for two weeks to continue discussions among staff, the applicant and the applicant’s engineer to see whether there was room to reach a mutually acceptable plan for any off‑site improvements. "There might be wiggle room for some improvement to be done by the applicant," Waleed said.

After discussion, Commissioner Kevin moved to continue the public hearing to allow further staff/applicant negotiation; the motion failed on a roll call. Commissioner Kyokyo then moved to close the public hearing; the motion passed (Kyokyo: yes; Hofstadter: yes; Hass: no; Chair Fionaldi: yes). The hearing was closed for deliberation and the item was moved to old business for further action.

Commissioners who spoke in favor noted the application’s consistency with the city’s Plan of Conservation and Development and downtown revitalization goals, and several said remaining traffic concerns might be resolved through staff conditions or follow‑up with the city traffic engineer.

Separately, during new business, Deputy Planning Director Jennifer Aminger presented a referral to extend a municipal water main to serve a fire hydrant at 55 Newtown Road as part of site utilities. The commission voted a positive referral by voice vote.

Next steps: the commission moved the Legacy on Main application to old business for potential conditions or final action at a future meeting; staff said they would pursue follow‑up conversations with the city traffic engineer and the applicant. The commission’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Sept. 3, 2025.