Developers pitch 200-unit "Innovation Studios" conversion; Planning Commission keeps hearing open for traffic review

A proposal to convert the former Crowne Plaza at 18 Old Ridgebury Road into a 200‑unit mixed‑use complex called "Innovation Studios" drew broad community support on March 19 but prompted detailed traffic and access questions that the Danbury Planning Commission said require further review.

Developer Dan Bertram and his team presented plans for a 10‑story conversion that would create 156 studio apartments and 44 one‑bedroom units, a makerspace, restaurant/arcade space and interior common areas. Architect Maura Newell Juan of 72 Architects described interior layouts and renderings, including a mezzanine makerspace, significant interior common space and a distribution of accessible and affordable units across the building. Engineer Steve Sullivan (CCA Engineers) said the site provides 383 parking spaces—the same number required—and that proposed on‑site open space would total about 146,190 square feet, roughly 46,000 square feet above the zoning requirement.

The project team emphasized reuse of the existing building and limited exterior changes: a new sidewalk and stairs to Old Ridgebury Road, small exterior amenity courts (basketball/pickleball), landscaping and parking maintenance work. Sullivan said routine maintenance items—repaving, tree pruning and sidewalk repairs—would be performed as part of the redevelopment.

Traffic analysis was a central point of contention. Presenting traffic findings based on the project's traffic consultant (Joe Balskus), Sullivan said the proposed mix—residential plus a makerspace and restaurant—would generate an estimated 2,006 daily vehicle trips, fewer than the site’s historical hotel use, but would increase peak‑hour trips compared with the previous hotel: about 34 additional AM peak trips and roughly 101 additional PM peak trips. Commissioners and public commenters asked for more detail on how those peak‑hour increases could affect nearby corridors, notably Mill Plain Road, and on queuing in the site driveway.

Public commenters representing the Danbury Makerspace and other community groups — including Keith Snyder and Mike Kolchnie — urged approval, stressing local training, entrepreneurship and workforce benefits the makerspace would bring. Other residents and nearby property owners voiced operational and safety questions: Paul Rotello and others asked whether the driveway pitch and queuing could create traction and circulation problems in winter, whether the proposed south sidewalk connection (which includes steps) adequately accommodates people with mobility needs, and whether the site needs a secondary emergency access.

Dan Bertram and Steve Sullivan offered high‑level responses: they said the existing driveway was milled and repaved and that they expect to meet applicable commercial design standards; they also said winter maintenance (de‑icing, sanding) would be managed by the operator and that no second exit is proposed. Sullivan acknowledged the south connection includes stairs because the roadway slope prevents an ADA‑compliant route from that terrace to the frontage; he noted the building itself will provide accessible entry and elevators from the main lobby.

Bertram described a three‑phase construction plan (top‑down occupancy by floor groupings) and said certain amenities could come online sooner; he also said studios would be furnished and one‑bedrooms would be unfurnished. The applicant gave starting rent figures during the presentation (studio and one‑bedroom ranges were stated on the record).

Because staff reports and comments left unresolved technical items—particularly the more detailed traffic and queuing analysis—the commission did not close the public hearing. Commissioner Helen moved to continue the Bright Raven's Innovation Studios public hearing to the April 2, 2025 meeting so the project’s traffic engineer can respond to questions; the motion passed and the record remains open.

What happens next: The commission will reconvene the public hearing on April 2 to hear the consultant’s traffic testimony and any additional public comment before taking further action on the special exception and site plan application.