Danbury Zoning Panel Re-elects Leadership, Reviews Procedures

DANBURY, CT — The Danbury Zoning Commission had its first regular meeting of 2026 Jan. 13 by reaffirming its leadership.

In addition, they heard a legal overview of its duties and set procedural expectations ahead of upcoming applications.

Danbury PZC Chairman Theodore Haddad Jr. opened the virtual meeting at 6:05 p.m., with most commissioners present along with Danbury Planning Director Waleed Albakry, Danbury Corporation Counsel Daniel Casagrande, and Danbury Assistant Corporation Counsel Robin Edwards.

The bulk of the early session was devoted to a workshop with Edwards and Casagrande reviewing statutory requirements for zoning decisions, the commission’s legislative and administrative powers under state law, and best practices, including avoiding ex parte communications and conflicts of interest.

Edwards stressed the importance of following Robert’s Rules of Order and addressing speakers by title to maintain professionalism. Casagrande noted that members should avoid showing prejudgment of applications and “when in doubt, get out” if there is any question of conflict.

In organizational business, commissioners unanimously re-elected Haddad as chairman and chose Rick Jowdy as vice chairman.

Haddad departed the meeting for a period before the vote on officers, resulting in Haddad’s unanimous re-election.

The commission affirmed its longstanding policy to make approvals effective the day after publication in the News-Times.

It also appointed a three-member subcommittee on Danbury Zoning Board of Appeals referrals, naming Jowdy as chair with Robert Botelho and Bruce Bennett as members.