STAMFORD — City neighborhood associations and residents are demanding city leaders “cease and desist” advancing the city’s proposed 2035 Comprehensive Plan, or Plan of Conservation and Development.
Some believe the plan, in its current form, ignores residents’ input, undermines local zoning regulations, and was designed to be rushed through without meaningful community engagement. It is currently up for a vote by the Stamford Planning Board on Sept. 30.
Neighborhood associations and groups of local residents are calling on the city to postpone that vote until their concerns are heard and addressed.
The plan introduces a new “Residential Neighborhood (R‑2)” future land-use category, envisioning a mix of single‑family homes and “missing middle” housing types such as duplexes, triplexes, and townhomes, as well as neighborhood‑scale commercial uses. While the plan does not formally rezone properties, adopting it would establish a policy framework that potentially makes it easier for the Planning and Zoning Board to approve denser development in current single‑family districts. Residents warn this trajectory could erode neighborhood character, especially in coastal areas vulnerable to flooding, strain inland infrastructure, and intensify displacement pressures in mixed neighborhoods.
Over time, this could shift entire neighborhoods from single-family character to denser, multi-family housing blocks.
“This plan is being pushed through without listening to the residents it will impact the most,” said Lyle Fishell, president of the Cove Neighborhood Association. “In fact, when Stamford residents are asked what they know about the 2035 Comprehensive Plan, many have not even heard about all that it entails.
“Instead of partnering with our elected representatives to gather resident input, the Planning Board has ignored us, rushed this timeline, and attempted to impose a blanket policy that will reshape our city without the consent of its residents.”
In the plan itself, Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons is quoted as saying: “At the heart of Stamford 2035 are five guiding principles: Stamford as a city of opportunity, health, connection, affordability, and prosperity. This plan provides a clear and actionable framework to help city officials and residents ensure that Stamford’s growth is thoughtful, resilient, and responsive to the needs of all.”
In a July 31 email from Lindsey Cohen, associate planner on the Stamford Planning Board to Stamford Comp Plan 2035, regarding a meeting with 150 residents, Cohen states: “As we move forward, we want to emphasize that the Stamford 2035 Comprehensive Plan is an ongoing, iterative process shaped by community engagement. Your input continues to play a vital role — public feedback at every stage helps us refine the plan so it best reflects your priorities and Stamford’s shared vision for the future.”
Neighborhood groups believe the 2035 Comprehensive Plan will directly and negatively impact:
- Coastal Communities (Shippan, Cove, Waterside, South End): Already vulnerable to flooding, erosion, and coastal storm damage. Increased density here could heighten environmental and safety risks.
- Inland Residential Areas (Belltown, Springdale, Glenbrook, Turn of River, Newfield, North Stamford, Bulls Head, the lower Ridges): Primarily single-family neighborhoods, facing traffic congestion, strained schools, sewer and water systems under pressure.
Mixed/Transitional Areas (Downtown, West Side, East Side, Hubbard Heights, Ridgeway, Westover): Facing gentrification and displacement with insufficient safeguards for long-term residents.
The neighborhood associations are calling on Stamford’s leadership to take the following actions:
- Cease/desist advancing the current 2035 Comprehensive Plan “as is.”
- Re-initiate the 2035 Plan with direct input from Stamford residents.
• Postpone the Sept. 30 vote until adequate input is received from the public. - Remove all “highlighted yellow” designations that would open the door for rezoning single-family neighborhoods into multi-family. Keep current RA1, 2, 3, 7. 5, 10, 20 single-family zoning intact, as well as current ADU designations.
- Present a revised plan for a final vote prior to November, ensuring it is reviewed and voted on under the current elected slate of officials.
“The Cove Neighborhood Association and its neighbors are all aligned and are urging all Stamford residents to take immediate action to protect their neighborhoods,” Fishell said. “We are asking all residents to do the following to make sure their voices are heard:”
Sign the Change.org petition opposing the 2035 Comprehensive Plan (petition closes Sept. 13).Petitions for signature are also being managed by local neighborhood residents.
Contact your Stamford Board of Representatives at bor_allreps@stamfordct.gov or (203) 977-4024 and demand they oppose the plan in its current form and hold the vote until more resident input is acquired.
Contact the City of Stamford Planning Board and voice your concerns. Email members at StamfordLandUse@StamfordCT.gov or call (203) 977-4076. (Members are: Jay Tepper, vice chair; Ravi Subramanian, secretary; Jeremy Linder, with alternates: William Levin and Chester Salit; and staff: Lindsey Cohen, associate planner, Lesley Capp, Secretary to the Planning Board; as well as Jennifer Godzeno, chair.)
There will be a Live protest rally Sept. 16 at 5 p.m. at the front of the Government Center, 888 Washington Boulevard, just before a public hearing on the POCD.
Residents can leave their own comments in the Public Comment section for the 2035 Comprehensive Plan at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe8FzRwMzyqgGob0qtrB19CCg161rldVyfhmVN485fyLJnHjQ/viewform.
