Planning commission votes to invite PCRC representative to explain Development Review Board

The Stamford Planning Commission voted to invite Nick Zayak of the Planning and Conservation Resource Center (PCRC) to present on a proposed Development Review Board.

Chair (speaker identified in meeting as Chair) told the commission that "somebody's gonna come in here and present information regarding the development review board, and his name is Nick," and members moved and seconded a motion to schedule the presentation. Chair then called for a voice vote and members responded in the affirmative; the transcript records the motion passing by voice assent but does not record individual names or a numerical tally.

Commission members said they wanted an informational presentation so residents and board members could weigh pros and cons without rumors or misunderstanding. A committee member said that other towns had merged planning and development review duties and that the change "reduced the amount of time that people have to wait," estimating "by about two months" in one example. The commission set the presenter item for the next meeting cadence and asked attendees to review background materials in advance.

The commission did not record further formal action on creating a DRB; members said any structural change would ultimately be accepted by the select board and would require additional procedural steps such as public notice and possible bylaw amendments.