Residents Voice Concerns Over Proposed Residential Complex In Stamford

STAMFORD, CT — Plans to build a large residential complex at the site that formerly housed the Conair Corporation in the Waterside section of Stamford received some pushback from residents during the Oct. 20 Stamford Zoning Board meeting.

Continental Family Holdings LLC and Conair co-founder Leandro Rizzuto Jr. are proposing to construct 60 townhomes and a 201-unit apartment building with a total of 474 parking spaces and associated amenities at 23 Barry Place.

"We have included a mix of both townhouses and larger buildings with apartment-style housing to create a buffer to the residential neighbors, with the more intense development away from those neighbors and virtually hidden from sight," said Michael J. Cacace, attorney for the applicant, during the Oct. 20 meeting. All townhouses are expected to be put up for sale, and apartments would be available to rent.

"The site lends itself to residential use," Cacace added. "This residential development we believe will be a substantial improvement to the neighborhood."

The property was originally part of an 11.7-acre site that was recently subdivided to allow for the new Wings Arena ice skating rink.

Old Greenwich's Innis Arden Golf Club borders the site on the western and southern sides.

There are also Metro-North train tracks and commercial/industrial uses along the entire northerly border, and much of the easterly border is across the street from Saint Clement Church, according to Cacace.

Renderings for the project can be viewed here.

Until recently, the property at 23 Barry Place contained one large building that served as a warehouse and office facility for Conair. It also was a site for Pitney Bowes at one point.

During the public hearing portion of the Oct. 20 meeting, residents voiced concerns mostly about potential traffic impacts and environmental concerns at the site.

Derek Daunais, an engineer working on the project, said the site was found to have some areas of contaminated soil many years ago.

"At that time, when it was being used for industrial and commercial purposes, those areas were cleaned to non-residential standards. So they were cleaned up for the use they were at the time, but not for residential uses. Those areas were all identified and recorded," Daunais said.

An environmental consultant for the project has been in contact with CT-DEEP regarding the steps that would be required to further remediate the site so it can be cleaned "to a higher standard that meets both federal and state residential standards," Daunais continued.

"Further remediation will take place prior to any residential occupancy of the property," he said.

Salvatore Zarrella, a 50-year resident of Waterside, pointed out the site was once used by Pitney Bowes, and he was concerned about pollutants left at the site. He also criticized the scale and scope of the proposed development.

"This development will double our neighborhood overnight, essentially," he said. "We would support single family townhouses in this neighborhood. That would be a welcomed addition. This is an obnoxious addition to the neighborhood in terms of size and density. It's not in keeping with the neighborhood."

Darling Calvillo, a resident of nearby Melrose Place, said she's "very concerned about the traffic," which is heavy early in the morning.

A traffic study for the area using counts while school is in session is currently being updated, project officials said.

Daunais said he's working with Stamford Transportation Planner Luke Buttenweiser to make streetscape improvements along Barry Place and Melrose Place, including upgrades to sidewalks, curbing, drainage and making sure travel lanes were wide enough.

Another resident, John McEvoy, said traffic issues would be seen on Southfield and Fairfield avenues. He suggested reducing the number of units in the project.

Cacace noted the former industrial and commercial uses of the site "generated fairly heavy use by trucks," and a residential use would essentially eliminate that for the neighborhood.

Two residents spoke in favor of the project.

"I believe the shift from industrial to residential turns a noisy utilitarian site into a nice, vibrant neighborhood by eliminating heavy-duty truck traffic, reducing noise and air pollution, which creates a safer, quieter environment for residents with more greenspaces and better landscaping, which enhances the neighborhood's visual appeal," said Jason Kinard.

"I think the additional housing addresses Stamford's growing demand with diverse options. I think it will boost the local economy with new residents to the Waterside area."

The Rev. Carlos Rodrigues of nearby Saint Clement Church previously submitted a letter in support of the project, but he spoke during the Oct. 20 meeting.

"I like the whole idea of the design and giving affordable housing. I think it is something that's going to improve the neighborhood, and it will be a blessing to the neighborhood," Rodrigues said.

Three applications have submitted -- one to change the zoning map at the site from manufacturing to residential, one for special permits, and the other one for site and architectural plans.

Zoning Board chair David Stein called it "a complete application" and praised the project team.

The Zoning Board is expected to further discuss the proposal during its next meeting in November.