Votes at a glance: Stratford Zoning Commission approves Research Drive site plan and Bridgeview pier; denies Oronoke bedroom‑count change
January 26, 2024 | Town of Stratford, Fairfield, Connecticut
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At its Jan. 24 meeting the Stratford Zoning Commission recorded several formal actions affecting local development: it denied a contested site‑plan modification for 170 Oronoke Lane, and it approved two separate development applications administratively.
Key votes
• Research Drive (10 Research Drive) — Approved, 5‑0. The commission approved a special‑case/site‑plan application for a three‑story, 30,000‑square‑foot manufacturing and training facility for Cubtech. Staff conditions attached include a letter from a licensed engineer verifying MS4/stormwater compliance, adherence to Architectural Review Board recommendations, conservation superintendent sign‑off on plantings and required siltation/erosion controls prior to site work.
• 556 Bridgeview Place (pier and dock) — Approved, 5‑0. The commission approved a fixed timber pier (88 ft × 4 ft), a 35‑ft gangway and an 8 ft × 12.5 ft floating dock with standard DEEP and town sedimentation/erosion controls as conditions.
• Bluebird Prestige (170 Oronoke Lane) — Motion to deny application without prejudice passed, 3‑2. The commission rejected the applicant’s request to convert a previously approved mix of two‑ and three‑bedroom units into all three‑bedroom units; the action was framed as denial without prejudice to allow the applicant and settlement parties to seek agreement or pursue court modification. Roll‑call votes were recorded in the administrative session (Yes: JF Ewald, Deborah Lamberti, Harold Watson; No: Linda Mannos, Len Petrucelli).
Other administrative items
• Two agenda items (7365 Main Street and 500 Sniffens Lane) were continued to the February public hearing.
• Staff reiterated standard erosion and sedimentation conditions to be applied across site plans.
Why it matters
The Research Drive approval supports local business expansion (applicant expects 21 employees at the new facility) and was advanced with conditions intended to ensure compliance with current stormwater and ARB design expectations. The Oronoke decision is procedural and legal in nature: because the bedroom count was part of a multi‑party settlement that led to a court judgment, commissioners and town counsel concluded the parties should be involved in any change, leaving the door open for further negotiation or a judicial amendment.
Next steps
Applicants for the Research Drive project must submit the required engineer’s MS4 compliance letter and ARB confirmations before building permits are issued. The Bluebird Prestige applicant may seek interparty agreement or court action and could return to the commission after those steps are taken.
Key votes
• Research Drive (10 Research Drive) — Approved, 5‑0. The commission approved a special‑case/site‑plan application for a three‑story, 30,000‑square‑foot manufacturing and training facility for Cubtech. Staff conditions attached include a letter from a licensed engineer verifying MS4/stormwater compliance, adherence to Architectural Review Board recommendations, conservation superintendent sign‑off on plantings and required siltation/erosion controls prior to site work.
• 556 Bridgeview Place (pier and dock) — Approved, 5‑0. The commission approved a fixed timber pier (88 ft × 4 ft), a 35‑ft gangway and an 8 ft × 12.5 ft floating dock with standard DEEP and town sedimentation/erosion controls as conditions.
• Bluebird Prestige (170 Oronoke Lane) — Motion to deny application without prejudice passed, 3‑2. The commission rejected the applicant’s request to convert a previously approved mix of two‑ and three‑bedroom units into all three‑bedroom units; the action was framed as denial without prejudice to allow the applicant and settlement parties to seek agreement or pursue court modification. Roll‑call votes were recorded in the administrative session (Yes: JF Ewald, Deborah Lamberti, Harold Watson; No: Linda Mannos, Len Petrucelli).
Other administrative items
• Two agenda items (7365 Main Street and 500 Sniffens Lane) were continued to the February public hearing.
• Staff reiterated standard erosion and sedimentation conditions to be applied across site plans.
Why it matters
The Research Drive approval supports local business expansion (applicant expects 21 employees at the new facility) and was advanced with conditions intended to ensure compliance with current stormwater and ARB design expectations. The Oronoke decision is procedural and legal in nature: because the bedroom count was part of a multi‑party settlement that led to a court judgment, commissioners and town counsel concluded the parties should be involved in any change, leaving the door open for further negotiation or a judicial amendment.
Next steps
Applicants for the Research Drive project must submit the required engineer’s MS4 compliance letter and ARB confirmations before building permits are issued. The Bluebird Prestige applicant may seek interparty agreement or court action and could return to the commission after those steps are taken.
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