Danbury zoning commission refers proposed zoning amendments, continues workshop on citywide design standards

Danbury, Conn. — On Sept. 9, 2025, the Danbury Zoning Commission voted to receive a petition from Planning Director Waleed al Bakri and refer it to the planning commission, and set a public hearing for Oct. 14, 2025. The motion to receive and refer the petition was made by Commissioner O'Neil and seconded by Commissioner James and carried on an affirmative voice vote.

The petition, presented by Waleed al Bakri, would amend several sections of the zoning regulations (including changes described in the petition text to sections 4 f 2; 5 a 2; 5 b 2; 6 a 2 and 6 b 2; 6 a 5 d; continuing care facility; and the trip generator table in section 10 d 11). Al Bakri told commissioners the proposed language is intended to protect industrial land by removing some commercial and institutional uses (for example, banks, hotel/motel uses, certain offices, and certain storage uses) from industrial districts while allowing existing permitted uses to remain and, in some cases, expand as nonconforming but protected uses.

"Our zoning regulations don't protect our industrial base," Al Bakri said, arguing the code currently allows some nonindustrial uses in IL-40 and IG-80 districts and that the amendments would prevent new, inappropriate uses from locating in industrial areas while providing grandfathering language for existing operations.

After the referral vote, the meeting moved into an interactive, workshop-style presentation by Al Bakri on proposed citywide design standards. Al Bakri said the goal is a single consolidated section of the zoning code that sets minimum expectations for site and building design — covering roofs, façades, parking, percentages of glazing, setbacks and foundation landscaping — and that staff will include images and sketches to make requirements clearer to applicants and reviewers.

Al Bakri presented slide figures showing single-family housing occupying roughly 72% of Danbury's land and multifamily uses about 7%, and said these land-use distributions informed the proposed approach. He also cited county growth projections "between now and 2050" and slide figures about local population; the presentation included several numerical figures as delivered and also had minor internal inconsistencies in how some totals were reported on slides (these were reported as presented by staff).

Commissioners focused on practical design concerns. Several members urged that planting specifications favor perennials so landscaping remains effective year-round. Members also pressed for clear requirements to manage snow in winter; Al Bakri said he is considering a requirement that developments of more than five units include a designated snow-storage area on site.

Downtown and Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) areas were treated separately: Al Bakri said downtown already has its own design requirements and that the proposed standards would mainly apply outside downtown, with downtown-specific trade-offs (for example, lower parking requirements) addressed in separate guidance. Commissioners also discussed whether R-3 and other small-lot rules should be revisited after design standards are in place so the city can encourage better quality development on small parcels.

Al Bakri said staff aims to circulate a near-final draft of the design standards for discussion within about 60 days and asked commissioners to submit suggestions; he also said staff will keep a database of future projects and ideas raised by commission members to inform revisions.

The commission closed the meeting with routine business and adjourned at 8:10 p.m. The public hearing on the petition was set for Oct. 14, 2025.