Fairfield TPZ To Hold Hearing On Affordable Housing, Commerce Drive Regulations

FAIRFIELD, CT — The Fairfield Town Plan and Zoning Commission is scheduled to hold a public hearing Tuesday, Nov. 17, on proposed zoning amendments that would expand affordable housing requirements for subdivisions, revise development standards in the Commerce Drive area and establish new rules for accessory structures and rooftop equipment.

The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Fairfield Regional Fire School, 205 Richard White Way. Additionally, the meeting can be viewed via: zoom.us/j/7250682403 (passcode: 123), and can be accessed by phone: (646) 931- 3860 Meeting ID: 725 068 2403 Passcode: 123.

Additional materials can be viewed here. The agenda can be viewed here.

Among the proposals is an amendment to Section 2.7 of the town's subdivision regulations that would lower the threshold for inclusionary zoning requirements from 10 lots to five lots.

The amendment also would increase the inclusionary requirement from 10 percent to 12 percent and align income eligibility criteria with Section 8-30g(a) of the Connecticut General Statutes.

The commission is also scheduled to consider amendments to zoning regulations governing the Commerce Drive Area Designed District.

One proposal would consolidate and simplify standards applicable to underlying and overlay zoning districts within the Commerce Drive area while adding review requirements under Public Act 25-1.

A related amendment would delete Section 8.8 of the Designed Industrial District regulations, which addresses mixed-use projects permitted under the Transportation/Commercial Park designation. According to the agenda, those requirements have been incorporated into the Commerce Drive Area Designed District standards.

Other proposed changes would establish supplemental standards for accessory structures and address the placement and height of athletic poles and safety netting.

The proposed regulations would establish standards for considering athletic poles and safety netting as either accessory or primary structures in residential districts, subject to applicable height and setback requirements.

For golf courses, schools and universities, the proposal would allow consideration of poles and netting up to 80 feet tall.

The commission will also review proposed changes to regulations governing mechanical equipment.

Those amendments would modify setback requirements for mechanical equipment and establish standards for rooftop installations in Designed Business Districts, including the DCD, CDD and NDD districts.

The proposed rules address the location, maximum gross area, setbacks from rooflines and height of rooftop mechanical equipment. Additional height standards would apply to elevator machine rooms and stairwells providing access to rooftop amenities.

Another proposed amendment would revise zoning definitions by removing flagpoles from an existing height exception and relocating applicable standards to Section 22. The changes would also add definitions for recreational vehicles, boats or marine vessels, and ground-mounted solar installations.

All seven proposed regulatory amendments are listed under the public hearing portion of the meeting agenda.

During its administrative session, the commission is also scheduled to review bills and communications, including minutes from its Nov. 10 meeting.