City of Danbury, Connecticut - Planning & Zoning Department

	Dennis I. Elpern Director
Address:	155 Deer Hill Avenue Danbury, CT 06810
Telephone:	203-797-4525

Dennis I. Elpern
Director

Address:

155 Deer Hill Avenue
Danbury, CT 06810

Telephone:

203-797-4525

Planning & Zoning Reguations	Subdivision Regulations	Geographic Information System
Plan of Conservation & Development	Planning & Zoning Fee Schedule	Applications and Forms
City of Danbury Transportation Plan 2005 Executive Summary	Danbury Registry Form	City of Danbury Transportation Plan 2005
	Aquifer Protection Area Regulations

About Us:
    The mission of the Department of Planning and Zoning is to protect and improve the city’s neighborhoods, business centers, community resources and natural environment while planning for sustainable development that will enhance the quality of life for all our residents. To that end, the department has been instrumental in the preparation of plans, projects and land use regulations for the city. City-wide plans have included the Plan of Conservation and Development and the city’s first Transportation Plan. Major projects have included the creation of the Ives Trail concept, restoration of Elmwood Park, and construction of the 9/11 Memorial. Responsibilities for downtown redevelopment has been important to our department and include the recruitment of new business development, the coordination of streetscape improvements on Main Street, construction of the Patriot Garage, and the creation of the Danbury Green the site of many community events, including the Summer Concert Series and the Taste of Greater Danbury.

    A primary task of the department is the enactment and enforcement of zoning and subdivision regulations designed to ensure that proposed developments are constructed in accordance with the Plan of Conservation and Development. The department reviews site plans and assists the Planning Commission in the review of special exception and subdivision applications and referrals from the Common Council for requests for extensions of sewer and water service, dedication of roads, and offers to buy, sell or lease city land. The department also assists the Zoning Commission by reviewing all requests for zoning amendments and the rezoning of land.

    Planning and Zoning prepares the annual Capital Improvement Program to schedule major expenditures, reviews all applications under the Deferral of Assessment Increases program, and updates and corrects street addresses in the city.

    The Planning Director serves as Executive Director of the Danbury Redevelopment Agency, as the city’s alternate representative to the Housatonic Valley Council of Elected Officials, as a member of the Danbury Housing Partnership, and as an ex-officio member of the CityCenter Danbury Board of Directors. Professional and clerical staff support services are provided to the Planning and Zoning Commissions, the Zoning Board of Appeals, and the Redevelopment Agency, while clerical support is provided to the Environmental Impact Commission.

Our Accomplishments:

    A major success in the last fiscal year was the completion of streetscape improvements on White Street from Fifth Avenue to Patriot Drive. These improvements included new sidewalks, curbs and handicap ramps, street trees, ornamental lighting, and expansion of the street from two to four lanes to facilitate increased traffic to WestConn University, the Hospital and the downtown.

    The department continues its work with the Main Street Renaissance Task Force to complete a report on recommendations to revitalize downtown Danbury. To date, the Task Force has (1) undertaken an analysis of downtown strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, (2) conducted an opinion survey of downtown property owners, (3) prepared a vision statement of aspirations for the future, and (4) established principles for downtown planning. The final report will focus on recommendations to foster economic development, promote community activities, strengthen urban design, preserve historic buildings, and improve public property and infrastructure. It will conclude with a management strategy to implement the recommendations over time.

    Despite the economic problems facing the country, we can anticipate new development to continue in Danbury. That will require ongoing reviews by the Planning and Zoning Commissions of new site plans, special exceptions, subdivisions, and zoning amendments.

    The department continues to review and prepare revisions to the City’s Zoning Regulations and other land use regulations to address changing conditions which threaten the city with undesirable development that may intrude upon residential neighborhoods, harm the environment, or create unacceptable traffic congestion. Research nearing completion includes the preparation of regulations to protect the city’s aquifers, and zoning amendments to promote historic preservation and improve parking requirements. All current zoning and subdivision regulations are available to the public on the city’s website under the Planning and Zoning Department entry.

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