Danbury Planners Back Three City Referrals, Clears Path for Fire Station

DANBURY, CT — The Danbury Planning Commission on Dec. 3 issued positive referrals on three City Council items, including steps toward property acquisition for a proposed West Side fire station and a parcel needed for water system upgrades. The meeting marked the commission’s final session of 2025.

The commission also accepted minutes from its Oct. 15 meeting, noted the withdrawal of a pending application at 44 Old Ridgebury Road and confirmed its next meeting date as Jan. 7, 2026.

Commission Supports Conveyance of Small Parcel on Hillandale Road

Deputy Planning Director Jennifer Emminger briefed commissioners on the first item — a request for the city to accept a 714-square-foot parcel at 24 Hillandale Road, needed to correct a longstanding right-of-way issue.

Emminger said an older subdivision line mistakenly placed part of the property within the traveled portion of Hillandale Road. A variance granted in 2023 required the property owner to convey the strip to the city, but the transfer had not occurred. The current owner is now completing the requirement.

Staff supported the conveyance, provided final documents meet Corporation Counsel and Public Works approval. The commission unanimously issued a positive referral.

Positive Referral Issued for West Side Fire Station Property

The commission also endorsed the city’s plan to acquire land on Reserve Road as a future site for the long-proposed West Side fire station.

The 18-acre parcel, owned by Fairway Asset Management LLC, is under negotiation, with the city considering acquiring either the whole property or a portion of it. A bond approved last year is funding both land acquisition and eventual construction.

Emminger said the parcel fronts both Reserve Road and Old Ridgebury Road, near the former Belimo property and adjacent office buildings.

Commissioners supported the referral without objection, noting the final terms will be determined through City Council and the Mayor’s Office.

Extension Approved for Water Treatment–Related Property Acquisition

The third referral involved a request for additional time to complete the acquisition of property at 147–149 Westville Avenue Extension. The parcel is needed for improvements to the West Lake Water Treatment Plant, funded through a 2023 water system bond.

City Council authorized the purchase earlier this year, but because state law limits how long a municipality may negotiate before completing a transaction, attorneys requested a six-month extension.

The commission unanimously supported the extension.

Final Meeting of the Year

With no public hearings and no new applications, the meeting proceeded quickly. Chair Arnie Finaldi thanked commissioners for their work throughout the year, noting the small board “tries to make decisions that are best for the city of Danbury.”