Fairfield TPZ Commission To Review 140-Unit Housing Proposal, Vape Shop Ban

FAIRFIELD, CT — A proposal for a 140-unit multifamily development on Thorpe Street is among the major land-use matters scheduled to come before the Fairfield Town Plan and Zoning Commission when it meets Tuesday, Sept. 8.

The commission will meet in person at 6:30 p.m. at the Fairfield Regional Fire School, 205 Richard White Way. Click here to view the agenda.

During its administrative session, the commission is scheduled to consider recommending a special permit and coastal site plan application for 185 Thorpe St. to a future public hearing. The application, filed by attorney John Fallon on behalf of Scinto Thorpe LLC, calls for a 140-unit multifamily residential community consisting of two three-story buildings constructed over one level of parking.

The project would include 277 parking spaces, a coastal access path and other site improvements. The property is in the Designed Residence District.

The developer also has submitted proposed zoning regulation changes related to the project. Those amendments would modify Designed Residence District regulations governing multifamily construction, Post Road frontage requirements and dry egress requirements when an abutting public right of way is in a flood zone.

The commission is also scheduled to consider a request involving below-market-rate housing units at two other developments. Summit Development is asking the commission to accept four additional deed-restricted units at an approved 18-unit development at 1427 Kings Highway in place of two on-site units associated with a condominium development at 250 Pequot Ave.

Several other land-use and infrastructure matters are on the agenda, including a public hearing on the town's proposal to upgrade an existing sewer pump station at 1610 Fairfield Beach Road. The work would include below-grade improvements and an elevated structure designed to comply with Federal Emergency Management Agency requirements.

Another public hearing will focus on a proposed townwide zoning regulation change that would prohibit smoke shops, vape shops and tobacco stores. The proposed prohibition would replace the town's existing moratorium on those uses, which is scheduled to expire Sept. 22.

A third public hearing concerns a request to rezone 164 Taintor Drive. Attorney Brian LeClerc, representing David and Erica Becker, is seeking to place the parcel entirely in the Residential A zone. The property, which contains a single-family residence, is currently within three zoning districts.

Under old business, the commission may revisit redevelopment plans for 2131 Black Rock Turnpike and 414 Stillson Road. Stillrock LLC is seeking permission to demolish two existing one-story, mixed-tenant commercial buildings and replace them with two three-story, mixed-tenant commercial buildings of about 25,000 square feet each. Plans also call for a public plaza, outdoor dining areas and other site modifications.

Stillrock has also proposed a related zoning regulation amendment concerning setbacks when public plazas or pedestrian amenity spaces are provided.

Other items include coastal site plan applications for a FEMA-compliant single-family home at 1009 Fairfield Beach Road and a FEMA-compliant accessory structure at 2101 Fairfield Beach Road. The commission is also scheduled to consider recommending to public hearing an application for a non-FEMA-compliant addition at 37 Dunhill Ave.