Danbury planning commissioners continue hearing on Ridgetop plan after engineers describe 12‑unit addition

Steve Sullivan, a professional engineer with Haley Ward, told the Danbury Planning Commission on Jan. 7 that BRT Skansen LLC is proposing a revised special exception and site plan for The Ridgetop at 10 Damien Drive in the RA‑40 zone that would add 12 three‑bedroom homes to an existing private, gated development.

The Ridgetop project sits on about 14.44 acres. Sullivan said the amendment would bring the development to 20 homes (22 is the zoning maximum), requiring demolition of two old foundations and construction of a one‑way loop road with driveways to garages. "We're looking to build 12 smaller 3‑bedroom homes on a one‑way loop road," Sullivan said. He said units 6, 8, 10, 22 and 24 would have walkout basements where grades allow. He estimated the additional 12 homes would produce about 5,400 gallons per day of water demand.

Why it matters: the applicant proposed two underground, piped stormwater gallery systems designed to attenuate peak flows and dissipate erosive velocities before runoff reaches wooded areas downslope, and staff and commissioners pressed for environmental review and pedestrian‑connectivity details before any decision. Sullivan also described extending city water and sewer into the loop road, relocating one hydrant to accommodate the new entrance, adding perimeter silt fence and other erosion controls, and expanding conservation easement acreage. "We're proposing 8.87 acres of open space, which is about 61.4% of the property," he said.

Commissioners asked specific follow‑ups. Chair Arnold E. Fonaldi Jr. and others pressed staff on sidewalk requirements; planning staff member Ali said the proposed pedestrian walkway's conformance with section 4a6 remains under review. Ali also said an environmental analysis must be submitted so the Department of Health and Human Services can complete its review. Commissioner Helen Hofstadter asked whether trimming roadside vegetation on Clapboard Ridge Road would be required; Sullivan said the applicant should maintain vegetation and follow the traffic consultant’s recommendation to improve sight lines.

Outcome and next steps: Because the environmental analysis and several plan revisions remain outstanding, Commissioner Bob Kyokyo moved and Helen Hofstadter seconded to continue the public hearing. The commission approved the motion by voice vote and continued the hearing to the commission’s next regular meeting on Jan. 21, 2026. Staff indicated additional engineering and planning department comments will be responded to and revisions resubmitted before that date.

The commission did not vote on the special exception or final site plan at the Jan. 7 meeting; the hearing remains open pending submission of the environmental analysis, staff reports and sidewalk clarification.