Danbury Zoning Commission approves narrow rule change to allow limited self‑storage retrofit at Salem Plaza

The Danbury Zoning Commission voted 8–1 on Feb. 10, 2026 to approve a zoning text amendment requested by Salem Plaza LLC that permits limited indoor self‑storage retrofits in large CG‑20 parcels, after a public hearing and extended deliberation.

The approval applies to a narrowly defined conversion in which a parcel of at least 5 acres with an existing warehouse may dedicate up to 15% of the property’s gross floor area to storage units, must have vehicle access from an arterial street, abut IL‑40 or IG‑80 industrial zoning, be set back at least 250 feet from the public road, and would be subject to a Planning Commission special exception; variances for those specific requirements would be prohibited. The commission’s chairman, Theodore J. Haddad Jr., opened the continuation of the public hearing and reviewed referral comments from the Planning Commission (negative recommendation) and WestCOG (regional staff: minimal intermunicipal impact).

Attorney Tom Beecher, representing Salem Plaza LLC, told the commission the site at 127–131 West Street is a mixed‑use parcel of about 5½ acres with six buildings, including a long, low brick warehouse that is difficult to lease for modern industrial uses. Beecher said the firm’s proposal was designed to limit wider application: “Our proposed regulation is narrowly tailored and will only apply in unique situations such as ours,” he said, emphasizing that the change would not alter the building’s exterior and would reserve a special‑exception review by the Planning Commission.

Owner Albert J. Salem III described the building’s history and physical constraints, saying retrofit storage is preferable to demolition. Director Waleed (Planning and Zoning Department) presented a neutral staff report that described how last year’s city action removed conventional, freestanding self‑storage from other commercial zones and why the department viewed this petition as targeted and constrained. The staff presentation summarized the applicant’s proposed text and noted the Planning Commission’s negative referral stemmed partly from concerns that the amendment could undermine last year’s revisions.

Opponents, led by Commissioner Botello in a motion to deny, argued the city faces an oversupply of self‑storage and that CG‑20 is a limited commercial resource intended for employment‑generating uses. Botello read a set of findings arguing denial was warranted because the amendment would be inconsistent with prior policy and could set a precedent: “The commission has previously undertaken a comprehensive review of self storage facilities … and has determined that there is an existing oversupply of self storage uses,” Botello said when moving to deny.

Supporters of approval said this application differs from the removed, freestanding ‘‘big‑box’’ storage facilities because it repurposes an existing, hard‑to‑market warehouse and includes multiple constraints to prevent widespread application. Commissioners who supported approval said the proposal follows the Plan of Conservation and Development’s call for flexibility where appropriate, will not change the building’s outward appearance, and is unlikely to apply to many other CG‑20 parcels given the size and adjacency requirements.

The motion to deny (moved by Commissioner Botello and seconded by Commissioner O’Loughlin) failed on roll call, 8–1. Commissioner Botello was the lone vote in favor of denial. Commissioner Nijang (mover) then put forward a motion to approve, seconded by Commissioner James; the motion carried 8–1 (Botello opposed). Chairman Haddad declared the petition approved and wished the applicants well.

Under the terms explained in the hearing, an approved conversion would still require a Planning Commission special exception for the specific site, and the prohibition on variances for the amendment’s listed thresholds was part of the package the commission considered. Director Waleed also reminded commissioners of separate forthcoming state zoning requirements (middle housing and related amendments) that staff expects to bring forward for review ahead of the July 1 compliance deadline.

The commission adjourned at 8:37 p.m.