Commission backs new Site‑Specific Development zone with 50‑acre minimum

The Fairfield Planning Commission voted July 29 to forward a proposed Site‑Specific Development (SSD) zoning district to the Town Council with a recommendation that the minimum qualifying project size be 50 acres. Planner Jim Spung told the commission that the SSD is intended as a tool to allow unique developments that cannot be accommodated within the Town's standard zoning districts. He described a two‑step review: a preliminary conceptual review to test the idea and a final review that adopts site‑specific ordinance text and a development agreement if supported.

Commissioners discussed minimum acreage thresholds (40, 50, 100 acres) and concluded by generally supporting a 50‑acre minimum to keep the SSD reserved for large projects that require customized standards. Attorney Brad Christopherson and Mayor Hollie McKinney suggested three edits the Commission requested be incorporated into the draft: replace references to the Airpark with the Airpark Mixed‑Use Zone, change the minimum project size from 10 to 50 acres, and replace references to "Town Staff" with "Planning Director or Mayor's Designee." Commissioner Jamie Mascaro moved to forward the SSD text amendment with those changes; the motion passed unanimously.

The SSD approach will require applicants to present a development plan, proposed ordinance text, and a development agreement if the project proceeds to final review. The Town Council will consider the Commission's recommendation in a future hearing.