Fairfield TPZ To Continue Discussion On Possible Smoke Shop Ban

FAIRFIELD, CT — The Fairfield Town Plan and Zoning Commission on Tuesday is scheduled to consider a proposed permanent prohibition on smoke shops, vape shops and tobacco stores, the same day the town's existing moratorium on those uses is set to expire.

The proposal, listed as old business, would modify the prohibited uses section of Fairfield's zoning regulations. The proposed prohibition would replace the moratorium that expires Sept. 22. Discussion of the proposal is not part of the meeting's public hearing portion.

Tuesday's meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the Fairfield Regional Fire School, 205 Richard White Way. The meeting is hybrid, with members of the public also able to participate through Zoom. Click here to view the agenda.

The commission's public hearing agenda includes several land-use applications.

At 418 Meadow St., the commission is scheduled to hear a special exception application submitted by attorney Sara Sharp on behalf of Keller Coastal Property Holdings LLC. The applicant is seeking to convert part of an existing commercial building into a 5,676-square-foot auto repair facility. The application calls for no exterior building or site plan changes. The property is in a Designed Commercial District zone.

Elizabeth and Peter Barile are seeking a special exception at 312 Rolling Hills Drive for filling and regrading involving more than 250 cubic yards in connection with the installation of a pool and concrete patio at a single-family residence. The property is in a Residence AAA zone.

A zoning change request for 164 Taintor Drive is also listed for the public hearing, with a request to postpone it to a date to be determined in October. Attorney Brian LeClerc, on behalf of David and Erica Becker, is seeking to rezone the parcel, which contains a single-family residence and is currently within three zoning districts — Designed Commercial District, Residential A and Residence R-3 — entirely to Residential A.

During its administrative session, the commission is scheduled to consider recommending a Sacred Heart University zoning regulation amendment application for a future public hearing. Attorney Chris Russo, on behalf of the university, is seeking to modify Section 25 of the zoning regulations regarding pole lighting for athletic fields.

The commission also has compliance reviews scheduled for two commercial properties. Speeder Car Wash is seeking approval for two canopies at 3400 Post Road, including one covering the circulation area entering the existing car wash building and another over the detailing area. The Goddard School has submitted a sign application for one wall sign and one monument sign at 60 Katona Drive.

A coastal site plan application for 524 Riverside Drive is also on the agenda. James Wyatt Lonergan and Regan Silverstein Lonergan are seeking approval to construct a non-FEMA-compliant addition at the Residence A property.

The administrative agenda also includes approval of the Sept. 15 meeting minutes and an executive session concerning Mollo, et al. v. P&Z and Ambrose, et al. v. P&Z.

Public comment is available when called for by the chairman during the public hearing portion of the meeting. The agenda states that people participating by phone will be able to listen but will not be heard by commission members. The public is encouraged to submit comments before the meeting by email at tpzcommission@fairfieldct.org.