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Summary Leaflet
[PDF 2MB]

Scope of Work
[DOC 100K]

5/2/09 Workshop
Intro Presentation
[PDF 5.4MB]

2/11/09 Meeting
Fiscal Impacts Presentation
[PDF 1.5MB]

1/21/09 Meeting
Environment Presentation
[PDF 7.62MB]

12/3/08 Meeting
Mobility Presentation
[PDF 32.3MB]

10/30/08 Meeting
Transit-Oriented Development Trends Presentation
[PDF 6.7MB]

Maps
Mobility Recommendations
[PDF 252K]

Study Area
[JPG 672K]

Land Use
[JPG 800K] [PDF 1.4MB]

Site Conditions
[JPG 756K] [PDF 1.4MB]

Sidewalk Conditions
[JPG 824K] [PDF 2.0MB]

Submit your comments on the Commerce Drive Concept Plan

Area residents, business owners, town officials, and other stakeholders met on May 2nd for a Community Design workshop to explore development scenarios for the Commerce Drive Study area. The concept plan summarizes frequent recommendations from participants for land use and infrastructure for the region. The current concept plan is in draft form and will be revised as a result of comments from the stakeholder group and the public. Please provide comments in the form below by Tuesday, July 21st. The final development concept plan will direct recommendations for revised zoning which regulate development for the area.

What is the Commerce Drive Black Rock Station Area Planning Study?

The study is a year-long public process intended to develop a vision plan and new zoning regulations for the approximately 300 acre area surrounding the new train station under construction on Kings Highway.  The study area is defined as the properties bounded by I-95 on the north, Ash Creek and the City of Bridgeport on the East and South, and on the west by Grasmere Avenue between the Post Road and the railroad and by Kings Highway Cutoff between the railroad and I-95.  The study consists of a series of workshops with stakeholders culminating in a public design event, or charrette. The results of the charrette will direct the re-zoning proposal and design guidelines for this area of the town.

Overview:

Fairfield’s third Metro North Railroad station is under construction on Kings Highway at Frank Street and it is expected to begin operation in the summer of 2010.  The properties nearest the station are zoned for industrial and low-density commercial use, but the new train station will attract significant developer interest in high-intensity residential, retail, and office development.  Determining a new vision for the neighborhood and implementing new zoning regulations prior to the station opening will allow the town to better direct the direction of development and ensure that the energy initiated by this station is harnessed to achieve the goals of the town’s residents and business community.

About this Web Site:

Regional Plan Association and the town of Fairfield are committed to an open, participatory process and in that spirit, this web site allows access by all the residents of Fairfield to the documents associated with this initiative. To the greatest extent possible, this web site will provide links to the most recent materials, maps, technical reports, meeting summaries, and a schedule of upcoming events.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of these workshops?

The series of stakeholders’ workshops focused on individual issues associated with development, including traffic, transportation, and parking; urban design; environmental impacts; and fiscal impacts and economic development. Over the course of the workshop series, the stakeholder group formulated a framework of goals and objectives for changes in land use that will guide the large public charrette.

The workshop series culminated in a public charrette — an intensive design workshop — in which groups of 10-12 participants will create designs for the neighborhood that implement the towns goals.  RPA compiled the charrette plans and synthesized them into a draft consensus vision plan incorporating public input.  With support of the community, a master plan amendment and zoning regulations for this neighborhood will then be proposed based on the finsl vision plan.

Who is doing the work?

The Town of Fairfield has hired Regional Plan Association (RPA) to lead this effort. (For more information about RPA, go to www.rpa.org.) RPA is a private, not-for-profit organization. David Kooris, Director of RPA’s Connecticut office, will direct the work.

What is the schedule?

Stakeholder sessions were held between October 2008 and February 2009. The charrette was held in May 2009.

What is the current status of the work?
Completed to date:

• Field visits and site reconnaissance by RPA
• Inventory of current land use and physical conditions
• Assessment of traffic and pedestrian conditions in the study area.
• Assessment of redevelopment potential of existing properties.
• First stakeholder meeting held Thursday, October 30th focusing on current trends in transit-oriented development.
• Second stakeholder meeting held December 3 focusing on transit, transportation, and mobility.
• Third stakeholder meeting held January 21 focusing on environment, open space, recreation, and climate change at a date to be determined.
• Fourth stakeholder meeting in February 11 focusing on the fiscal impacts of development and personal economies at a date to be determined.
• Public charrette held May 2 produced multiple concept plans.

What is next?

• Development of consolidated vision plan and proposed zoning.