2023 plan of conservation and development public workshop

2023 Plan of Conservation and DevelopmentPublic Workshop @ The Palace Theater12/2/21

Agenda1. Introduction to the Plan of Conservation and Development

and overview of the planning process (5 min.)2. Review of findings from assessment of (40 min.):

• Demographic and Socioeconomic Trends• Economic Development• Housing• City Facilities and Services• Land Cover, Land Use, and Zoning• Transportation Network• Cultural and Historic Resources• Natural Resources

3. Break-Out Sessions Discussion (1 hour)4. Closing (5 min.)

Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD)

• The State of Connecticut requires municipalities to update their POCD at least once every ten years.

• Danbury’s plan was last updated in 2013• POCD’s are required to address the following issues:

• Physical and economic development• Transportation facilities• Land use• Population density• Housing including housing choice and affordable

housing• Protection of drinking water supplies• Other requirements…

Plan Development

• The Plan is being guided by the Department of Planning and Zoning and an Oversight Committee comprised of 20 members.

• Oversight Committee meeting materials are available online at danburypocd.com.

• Danbury’s Planning Commission is responsible for approving the POCD and the City Council will be engaged in this process.

Nov. 2020 Feb. 2021 May 2021 Aug. 2021 Nov. 2021 Feb. 2022 May 2022 Aug. 2022

Project Schedule21 months

Collaboration w/Oversight Committee

Community Engagement

Adoption

Discovery

Plan Development

Community Engagement

• We attended the Farmer’s Market on September 24th and October 15th

• We conducted a pop-up at Minas Carne & Deli on October 27th

• Information and meeting materials has been available on the project website.

• Email and social media blasts have been sent out to promote events and engagement opportunities.

• A survey was released in October.

Online Survey• Over 1,000 responses to date• Promotion via social media,

POCD website, press releases, email blasts, and through Danbury Board of Education

• Outreach has been conducted directly to Danbury High School staff to encourage student participation.

• Spanish and Portuguese language surveys are also available.

The 2023 POCD will build upon other relevant and preceding plans

• State of CT Conservation & Development Plan (2013-2018 effective; 2018-2023 draft)

• 2020-2030 Western Connecticut Regional Plan of Conservation and Development

• 2013 Danbury POCD • 2019 Downtown Danbury TOD Study • 2005 Danbury Transportation Plan • Western Connecticut Economic

Development Plan • Greater Danbury Regional Bike Plan • Norwalk River Valley Trail Routing Study

Key Themes Across all Plans

Promote and conduct integrated planning and collaboration across governmentsTarget development and redevelopment in areas with existing infrastructureProtect and restore environmental resourcesPreserve and support historic and cultural resourcesExpand housing options and increase affordabilityInvest in and adequately maintain infrastructureSupport economic development that creates jobs, expands tax base, and fosters sustainable growthEnhance and expand multimodal transportation optionsFocus on quality-of-life improvements

Review of Demographic and Socioeconomic Trends

Population

Households

Income

Diversity

Educational Attainment

Housing

Danbury’s Population: Growth

• The City’s population grew steadily over the past 50 years at an average rate of 1.4% per year.

• The greatest rates of growth occurred in the 1970’s and 1990’s.

• Current population is 86,518.• 7% growth over past decade.

50,781

60,470 65,585

74,848 80,893

86,518

-

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

70,000

80,000

90,000

100,000

1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

Danbury’s Population (1970 to 2020)

Data Sources: US Census Bureau unless otherwise specified

Danbury’s Population: Population Density

• As expected, Danbury has a higher population density that the County and State.

• But that density is not significantly (only 26%) higher than Fairfield County’s.

1,953

1,532

651

- 200 400 600 800

1,000 1,200 1,400 1,600 1,800 2,000

Danbury Fairfield County CT

Population Density 2020(residents per square mile)

Danbury’s Population: Population Density• Danbury’s population is concentrated in

the center and eastern end of the City

• FCI Danbury

Danbury’s Population: Age

-20%

-10%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Danbury Population Change by Age Cohort (2010 to 2019)

• Like most of Connecticut, Danbury’s population has grown older on average with a greater share of residents in every age group over 55 years old since 2010.

• Danbury’s share of children under 5 and adults between 25 and 54 shrunk (with exception of the 40-44 age cohort).

Data Source: US Census Bureau

Danbury’s Population: Age• Median age is highest on the northern

and southern ends of the City• Median age is lowest in the center of

the City

Danbury’s Households: Household Size• Danbury’s households are

2% larger than the average Fairfield County household and 8% larger than Connecticut’s average.

2.822.77

2.61

2.0

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.5

2.6

2.7

2.8

2.9

3.0


Average Household Size(2015-19)


Danbury’s Households: Household Size

• Household size is largest in the center and northern areas of the City

• FCI Danbury

Danbury’s Households:Median Income• The City’s median household

income is slightly lower than Connecticut’s and significantly lags Fairfield County’s. 73,297

95,645

78,444

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000


Median Household Income (2015-19)


• Median household income is relatively high and consistent across residential areas on the north, west, and south sides of the City

• The lowest household incomes are found in the central and eastern areas of the City.

• FCI Danbury

Danbury’s Households:Median Income

Poverty Levels

• The highest poverty levels are found in the center of the City

• Poverty levels are 23% or higher in the Downtown

• FCI Danbury

Population Diversity

• Danbury is a diverse City and is approximately twice as diverse as Fairfield County and the State as measured by non-white population, foreign-born population, and English proficiency.

64.6%

37.0%

31.7%31.5%

22.0%

14.6%

20.3%

11.3%7.8%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%


Diversity Indicators 2019 (% of population)

Non-White Population Foreign-Born Less than "very well" English proficiency


Education

• The City is moving towards a more highly educated populace with a greater share of degree holders since 2000 and a lower share of those without a high school diploma.

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

Danbury Educational Attainment Trends (2000 vs 2019)

2000 2015-19


Education: Bachelor’s Degree• The highest share of residents with a

Bachelor’s degree as highest degree reside in the northwest area of the City

• Bachelor’s degree attainment is lowest in the Downtown area

• FCI Danbury

Danbury’s Housing

• Half of the City’s housing is 50 years old or younger.

• The forty-year period between 1950 and 1989 saw the construction of 54% of the City’s housing stock.

Since 20105%

2000 to 200910%

1990 to 19997%

1980 to 198914%

1970 to 197915%

1960 to 196913%

1950 to 195912%

1940 to 19494%

1939 or earlier20%

Housing by Year Built(2019)


Danbury’s Housing

• The Downtown area contains a variety of housing types and the highest concentration of older homes in the City.

• Newer housing units were then constructed along transportation corridors radiating out from the Downtown core over time.

Danbury’s Housing

• Non single-family detached housing comprises 58% of the City’s housing stock.

• That housing is evenly distributed across attached housing and multifamily housing of varying sizes.

1-unit, detached

42%

1-unit, attached

11%2 units11%

3 or 4 units12%

5 to 9 units7%

10 to 19 units5%

20 or more units11%

Housing Type (2019)


Danbury’s Housing: Housing Density• The highest concentration of housing

is found in the northeastern area of Danbury

Danbury’s Housing: Home Value

• The median home value in Danbury is 9% higher than the State’s, but 30% lower than Fairfield County’s.

$299,600

$428,500

$275,400

$-

$50,000

$100,000

$150,000

$200,000

$250,000

$300,000

$350,000

$400,000

$450,000

$500,000


Median Owner-Occupied Home Value(2019)


Danbury’s Housing: Housing Cost

• 37% of the City’s homeowners with a mortgage are housing cost burdened (housing cost of more than 30% of income).

Less than 20.0%32%

20.0 to 24.9%18%25.0 to 29.9%

13%

30.0 to 34.9%10%

35.0% or more27%

Ownership Cost as a Percentage of IncomeHomes with a Mortgage

(2019)


Less than 10.0%30%

10.0 to 14.9%20%15 to 19.9%

15%

20.0 to 24.9%9%

25.0 to 29.9%

7%

30.0 to 34.9%3%

35.0% or more16%

Ownership Cost as a Percentage of IncomeHomes without a Mortgage

(2019)


• 19% of the City’s homeowners without a mortgage are housing cost burdened (housing cost of more than 30% of income).



• Danbury’s housing cost burdened households are comparable to Fairfield County but slightly higher than the State.

54.7% 54.1%51.6%

36.4% 35.6%31.1%

19.2%

25.0%21.2%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%


Share of Households with Housing Costs of 30% or more of Household Income

(2017)

Renters Owners (Mortgage) Owners (No Mortgage)


• The highest value homes (median value of $378,701 or greater) are found in the northwest area of the City

• FCI Danbury

Danbury’s Housing: Housing Value

• The Downtown area and southern area of the City experiences the most household turnover (moves in and out)

• FCI Danbury

Danbury’s Housing: Household Turnover

Danbury’s Housing: Subsidized Housing

• The highest concentration of households with a housing subsidy is found in the center of the City

• FCI Danbury

Median Household Income

Map Source: Open Communities Alliance

Danbury’s Housing: Affordable Housing

• Danbury has a higher share (almost double) of State qualified affordable housing than the Statewide average. 10.0%

10.5% 10.9%10.1% 10.3% 10.5% 10.9% 10.8%

11.9% 12.0%

5.7% 5.8% 6.2% 6.4% 6.3% 6.1% 6.1% 6.1% 6.1% 6.1%

0%

2%

4%

6%

8%

10%

12%

14%

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Share of Affordable Housing(2011-2019)

Danbury Statewide Town Average

Data Source: State of Connecticut OPM

Economic Conditions

Jobs and Workers

Employment Sectors

Employment Locations

Employment Trends

Occupations

Business Establishments

Emerging Industries

Danbury’s Jobs and WorkersInflow/Outflow of Workers in Danbury

Source: US Census Bureau OnTheMap 2018

Danbury has a positive job inflow.• 30,902 people are employed in

Danbury and live elsewhere. • 25,027 people live in Danbury

and work elsewhere.• 5,875 more people come into

Danbury than leave for work on a daily basis.

Danbury’s Jobs and Workers

• Danbury’s residents commute approximately the same distance to work as Fairfield County workers and Connecticut’s workers.

• Approximately half of jobs held by Danbury’s residents are within 10 miles of the City.

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Less than 10 miles 10 to 24 miles 25 to 50 miles Greater than 50miles

Distance to Work (2018)

Danbury

Fairfield County

CT


Danbury’s Jobs and Workers

• The number of jobs in Danbury has been stable since 2008. (excluding pandemic related job losses).

• The number of jobs held by Danbury’s residents grew by 12% since 2008.

44,345

33,393

43,454

34,043

43,258

37,383

-

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

35,000

40,000

45,000

50,000

55,000

60,000

Jobs in the City Jobs held by workers residing in City

Danbury Job Trends (2008-2018)

2008 2013 2018


• Several large employment nodes are visible surrounding Danbury’s commercial districts.

• Larger nodes surround the Danbury Fair mall, the western section of I-84, and the Federal Rd/Newtown Rd area.

• A high concentration of employment nodes surrounds the Downtown area. Source: US Census LEHD

OnTheMap, 2018

Total Employment

Danbury’s Economy

• Danbury leads the region in jobs and has twice as many jobs as all surrounding CT towns combined.

11,110

1,693

1,398

7,613

43,258

0 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000

Ridgefield

Redding

NewFairfield

Bethel

Danbury

Jobs in Danbury vs Neighboring Towns (2018)


Employment Sectors of Residents• The largest employment

sectors of City residents are in the health care and retail trade sectors.

0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000 7,000

Utilities

Construction

Manufacturing

Wholesale Trade

Retail Trade

Transportation and Warehousing

Information

Finance and Insurance

Real Estate and Rental & Leasing

Management of Companies & Enterprises

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

Administrative & Support and Waste Management…

Educational

Health Care

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation

Accommodation and Food Services

Other Services (except Public Administration)

Public Administration

Danbury Resident Employment by Industry (2018)


Top Resident Occupations• The top four resident occupations are likely driven by Danbury Hospital, Danbury Fair Mall, and

WCSU and the school district.• General managers are the highest paying among Danbury’s top 5 most common occupations.

Top 5 Occupations 2021 Jobs Avg Wages

Home Health and Personal Care Aides 2,251 $30,492Cashiers 1,132 $30,097Retail Salespersons 1,093 $38,043Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners 956 $40,643

General and Operations Managers 709 $179,420Source: EMSI, 2021

Top Employment Sectors in Danbury

• Three of the top ten 4-digit industry sectors in Danbury are Education and Health Care-related.• Several of these sectors offer relatively low annual wages.• Four of the top ten industry sectors have average annual wages above $100,000.

Top 5 Industry Sectors 2021 Jobs Avg Wages

Individual and Family Services 3,209 $33,754Education and Hospitals (incl. Local Government) 2,210 $107,063

Restaurants and Other Eating Places 1,917 $30,834Offices of Physicians 1,690 $141,715Grocery Stores 1,218 $44,377

Source: EMSI, 2021

Commercial & Industrial Property Inventory

• Danbury has 1,109 commercial parcels and 293 industrial parcels.

• The area zoned for commercial and industrial uses is larger.

• Commercial land uses comprise 2,715 acres and industrial land uses comprise 1,391 acres

• Tax Revenue generated by commercial and industrial land uses is approximately $57 million

Source: City of Danbury Assessor Database, RKG Associates

Commercial Market Rents

Average Asking Rents ($/sf) North Fairfield CountySource: REIS 2010 - 2021

$24.37

$20.24

$24.01

$17

$19

$21

$23

$25

$27

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Class A OfficeRetail

Class B/C Office

• The retail market in northern Fairfield County has experienced rising rents over the past decade.• Class A rents have decreased by 10% since 2010, to the current $24.37 per square foot in Q2 of 2021. • Class B and C office space rents have climbed 15% since 2010.

Commercial Market Vacancy

Vacancy % North Fairfield CountySource: REIS 2010 - 2021

38.60%

17.70%

9.10%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Class A Office

Class B/C Office

Retail

• The retail market in northern Fairfield County has experienced rising vacancy over the past decade.• The regional Class A office market has climbed 7 percentage points between 2010 and 2021. • Class B and C office space has maintained a vacancy rate of around 18% since 2010.

City Facilities and Services

Municipal Buildings(City Hall,

etc.)

Parks and Recreation Facilities

Library

Schools and School

Grounds

Fire Stations

Police Department

Airport

Danbury’s Municipal FacilitiesMunicipal Buildings • Multiple municipal buildings such as City Hall, DPW Facility

Schools and School Grounds • 13 Elementary Schools, 3 Middle Schools, 1 High School, ACE

Parks and Recreation • 1,650 acres of park land, 1 municipal golf course, 2 indoor recreation facilities (War Memorial, PAL Buildings)

Fire Stations • 18 Fire Stations (6 City, 12 Volunteer), New EMS building (Wooster Heights)

Library • 1 Main Library + Long Ridge Library

Airport • Public use general aviation airport, 2 runways

Police Department • 1 Police Station, 1 Animal Control Facility, proposed Police substation

City Parks

• Parks are well distributed through the City

• They range from small playgrounds and passive open spaces to large parks with multiple facilities

Danbury’s Public SchoolsElementary• Academy for

International Studies• Danbury Primary Center• Ellsworth Avenue• Great Plain• Hayestown• King Street School• Mill Ridge Primary• Morris Street• Park Avenue• Pembroke• Shelter Rock School• South Street School• Stadley Rough School

Middle and High Schools• ACE• Broadview Middle School• Rogers Park Middle School• Westside Middle School

Academy• Danbury High School

Education: School Enrollment

• Danbury Public School’s enrollment has grown consistently over the past ten years but has stabilized over the past three years.

• This is an average growth rate of 1.1% per year.

10,488 10,611 10,793 10,945 11,157 11,372 11,483 11,531 11,928 11,834 11,813

-

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

14,000

Danbury Public Schools K-12 Enrollment

Data Source: State of Connecticut Department of Education

Education: School Enrollment• Public school enrollment is projected to continue to grow through the 2024-

2025 academic year.• Even the low projections anticipate enrollment above 12,000 students

Source: Comprehensive Enrollment Analysis and ProjectionsPrepared for Danbury Public Schools, November 2019

Elementary School UtilizationAccording to the Comprehensive Enrollment Analysis conducted in 2019:• As of the 2019-20 school year, two of

Danbury’s elementary schools (Ellsworth and South) were at more than 110% capacity.

• The Ellsworth Avenue School Annex project (planned completion August 2022) will address needs at that school.

• The planned Danbury Career Academy will also address facility needs.

Comprehensive Enrollment Analysis and ProjectionsPrepared for Danbury Public Schools, November 2019

Educational Expenditures as Share of Budget

51.4%53.8% 52.6%

47.7%

53.0%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Danbury New Britain Norwalk Stamford Waterbury

Education Expenditure Share of Budget (2021-22)

Source: City Budgets

Danbury’s Revenue Sources

• Local property taxes comprise 82.5% of the City’s revenue sources

Investment Income0.2%

Use of Fund Reserves

2.5%

Fines and Penalties

0.6%

Charges for Services

0.8%

Licenses & Permits

1.6%

Intergovernmental11.7%

Taxes82.5%

Revenue Sources2021-22

Data extracted from p.72 of Danbury 2021-22 Budget Book

Share of Revenue from Property Taxes

82.5%

57.4%

87.9% 89.0%

60.0%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%


2021-22 Share of Revenue from Taxes


Danbury’s Mill Rate

• Danbury’s mill rate has been relatively flat since 2019

• The current mill rate (27.6) is 4 points below the Statewide average (31.3)

Chart extracted from p.437 of Danbury 2021-22 Budget Book

Danbury’s Mill Rate vs Other Cities in CT

27.6

50.5

23.9626.35

60.21

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70


Mill

Rat

e2021 Mill Rates


Tax Levy per Capita

• Danbury has the second lowest tax levy per capita in Fairfield County.

• Danbury’s tax levy per capita is 54% of Fairfield County’s and 78% of the Connecticut average.

$2,454

$4,525

$3,153

$-

$500

$1,000

$1,500

$2,000

$2,500

$3,000

$3,500

$4,000

$4,500

$5,000

Danbury Fairfield County Connecticut

Adjusted Tax Levy per Capita (2017-2018)

Source: CT OPM

Tax Levy per Capita

• Danbury’s tax levy per capita is higher than New Britain’s and Waterbury’s, but lower than Norwalk’s and Stamford’s $2,454

$1,708

$3,512

$4,032

$2,233

$-

$500

$1,000

$1,500

$2,000

$2,500

$3,000

$3,500

$4,000

$4,500


Adjusted Tax Levy Per Capita (2017-18)

Source: CT OPM

Danbury’s Land Cover, Land Use, and Zoning

Land Cover

Land Use

Zoning

Land Development 1985-2015• Development over the 30-year

period was concentrated on the eastern edge of the city and south of I-84 west of Route 7

• Most land use change was from forested areas to developed areas

Danbury Fair Mall

Sterling Woods

Rivington

Villages at Timber Oak

SOURCE: UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, HEALTH AND NATURAL RESOURCESCENTER FOR LAND USE EDUCATION & RESEARCHLAND COVER DATA 1985-2015

Single Family Residential Multifamily ResidentialResidential Office CommercialIndustrial Planned Neighborhood Development

Danbury’s Zoning Districts

Danbury’s Zoning Districts

SF Residential

72%

MF Residential

7%

Commercial8%

Industrial11%

PND2%

Share of Land Area by Zoning District Type• 72% of Danbury is zoned

single-family residential

Danbury’s Transportation Network

Streets and Highways

Sidewalks

Rail(Metro North)

Bicycle Facilities

Intra-City Bus (HART)

Danbury’s Transportation Infrastructure• Extensive network or local

roadways, state highways, an interstate highway, commuter and freight rail

Sidewalk Network

• Danbury’s sidewalk network is concentrated in its Downtown.

• Surrounding neighborhoods have little sidewalk infrastructure.

• Zoning regulations support the development of new sidewalks with projects.

Railroads• Danbury’s rail corridors include the

Housatonic Railroad and the MetroNorth Railroad.

• The MetroNorth Branchline service currently terminates in Downtown Danbury.

• Extension of MetroNorth service to/from NY along the Maybrook Line is currently being studied by NYMTC for feasibility.

HARTransit• Danbury is served by seven HART

routes.• The Pulse Point is located in

Downtown Danbury.• Ongoing discussions to relocate

the Pulse Point adjacent to train station on Eversource property.

• Like other transit systems, the HART system has been impacted by the pandemic, however ridership is expected to rebound.

Danbury’s residents are highly dependent on the Roadway Network for getting to Work

• 75% of residents drive alone to work• Only 4% use public transportation to

commute to work• Only 2% of residents walk to work• Nearly 0% of residents bike to work

Drove alone75%

Carpooled15%

Public Transportation

4%

Walked2%

Bicycle0%

Worked at home

3%

Means of Transportation to Work2015-19


Roadway Safety

• Roadway collisions in Danbury average above 3,000 incidents per year.

• Danbury’s crash rate has closely mirrored the State’s over the past decade.

• The 2020 reduction is pandemic related.

3,041 3,001 3,034

3,638

3,776 3,695

3,577 3,615

2,647

95,515 95,829

96,612

111,170 115,637 115,672

109,443 112,655

83,357

60,000

70,000

80,000

90,000

100,000

110,000

120,000

2,500

2,700

2,900

3,100

3,300

3,500

3,700

3,900

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

CT

Cra

shes

Dan

bur

y C

rash

es

Danbury vs Statewide Crash Trends

Danbury CT

Source: CT Crash Data Repository

Roadway Safety

• Crashes are strongly associated with areas that have the highest traffic volumes and the greatest density of intersections.

• This includes:• Downtown Danbury• I-84• Route 7• Newtown Road

Source: CT Crash Data Repository

Danbury’s Historic Resources and Cultural Institutions, Organizations, and Places

Visual and Performing Arts Venues

Memorials

Museums

Libraries

Cultural/Social Organizations

Historic Structures and

Districts

Visual and Performing Arts Venues• Charles Ives Authority for the

Performing Arts• Danbury Music Centre• Richter Association for the Arts• Gallery at the Visual and

Performing Arts Center (WCSU Westside Campus)

• Berkshire Hall (WCSU Midtown Campus)

• Palace Danbury• Danbury Green• Danbury High School Black Box

Theater

Image Source: The Palace Danbury

Museums• Danbury Museum and Historical Society

campus and structures, and The Museum in the Streets, Charles Ives House under renovation

• Danbury Railway Museum

Image Source: Danbury Museum

Memorials• Danbury War Memorial• Veteran's Memorial at Rogers Park• Memorial Park across from Police

Station (Police & Firefighters)• Heritage Park at City Hall• Monument Park• 9/11 Memorial at Elmwood Park• Other memorials and statues

throughout the City

Image Source: waymarking.com

Libraries

• Danbury Library• Ruth A. Haas Library

@ WCSU• Long Ridge Library

Image Source: City of Danbury

Historic Resources in Danbury• Historic resources include:

• The Main Street Historic District (a National Register district)

• 11 individually listed National Register properties• Other properties on State Register

• Zoning Regulations include restrictions for properties in the Main Street Historic District Overlay Zone aimed at promoting development that is compatible with the historic character of the District. Tarrywile Mansion

• 132 properties in district when listed with 97 historically and/or architecturally significant properties

• Inclusive of Danbury’s business, institutional and earliest residential center

• NR listed 11/29/1983

Main Street Historic District

Danbury’s Natural Resources

Wetlands

Floodplains

Groundwater

Streams, Rivers and

Lakes

Habitats

Open Space

Open Space in Danbury

• 1,644 acres of municipal open space• 22 City parks and playgrounds• Wooster Mountain State Park

(444 acres)• Candlewood Valley Regional Trust

(17 properties in Danbury)

Source: CT ECO Protected Open Space Mapping

Forest Land Cover

The City’s forest areas are concentrated in the north and south ends of the City.• 10,374 acres of deciduous forest• 1,211 acres of coniferous forest• 931 acres of forested wetland• 56 acres of forest in utility right-

of-way

SOURCE: UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, HEALTH AND NATURAL RESOURCESCENTER FOR LAND USE EDUCATION & RESEARCHLAND COVER DATA 1985-2015

Flood Zones

• 12.9% of Danbury is covered by the 1% annual chance flood floodplain (100-year floodplain)

• 1.1% of Danbury is covered by the 0.2% annual chance floodplain (500-year floodplain)

• The most substantial flood zones are associated with the Still River, Miry Brook, Sympaug Brook, and Limekiln Brook

• Flood zones in the south of Danbury are associated with the Saugatuck River and West Redding Brook

Source: FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM)

Drinking Water Resources• Watershed areas are concentrated in the

northwestern corner of the City and are associated with the West Lake, East Lake, and Margerie Lake Reservoirs.

• Additional sources of drinking water supply include Padanaram, Upper and Lower Kohanza, and Boggs Pond Reservoirs, as well as Lake Kenosia and the Kenosia Well Field.

• 8,581 acres of Danbury are located within a watershed area.

• Section 7C (Public Water Supply Watershed Protection Zones) of the City’s Zoning Regulations restricts and regulates land use within the City’s watershed areas.

Source: CT DEEP GIS Dataset

Wetlands

• Wetlands and waterbodies cover 10.9% of Danbury

• Wetlands help to filter the City’s water supply, provide habitat, and mitigate flooding

• These resources are protected by the City’s Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Regulations


Danbury’s Topography

• Danbury’s steep slopes are concentrated in the southern part of the City.

• Steep slopes (those in excess of 15%) present significant challenges to development.

• Ridgetop summits and north facing slopes have a high potential for rare species.


Habitats• Natural Diversity Data Base areas represent

approximate locations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species and significant natural communities in Connecticut.

• Critical Habitats depict the classification and distribution of twenty-five rare and specialized wildlife habitats in the State.


That Concludes our Presentation of Preliminary Findings

• We will address any questions or comments you have during the breakout sessions.

Break Out Session Discussion• We will now conduct three break out sessions• Each session will last 20 minutes (1 hour total)• Pick three of the following sessions to participate

in:• Natural Resources• Transportation• Economic Development• Housing• City Facilities and Services• Historic and Cultural Resources

• If a station is crowded, move to a station of interest that is less crowded and come back to it later

Break Out Session FormatDiscussions for each topic were centered around identifying the following:

Issues Ideas• Please keep your discussion focused on the topic at your station• Allow everyone a chance to speak

Natural Resources: Issues• Various areas of the town are subject to flooding. The situation appears to be worsening

in some areas.• Development too close to rivers such as the Still River.• Underutilized parks and open space and concern about the public not appreciating the

value of these properties.• Limited access to some parks and open spaces.• Many trees lost or damaged by storms have not been replaced.• Many street trees are in conflict with sidewalks and utility lines.• Environmental impact of residential development of large land parcels is a concern.• Invasive species (such as Japanese Knotweed or Zebra Mussels) are an issue of concern

in the Still River and other water bodies in the City.

Issues identified by Break-Out Session Participants

Natural Resources: Ideas• Conduct a hydrologic/hydraulic study of the Still River basin to identify measure that

should be taken to protect the river and reduce flooding.• Improve and better maintain stormwater infrastructure.• Develop a management plan for and manage beaver populations as a means of

mitigating flood risk.• Dredge portions of the Still River where there is chronic sediment buildup.• Prevent future encroachment of development on the Still River.• Reduce non-compatible uses in riparian zones (such as parking lots).• Enhance the Still River so that it becomes an aesthetic resource/attraction in the

Downtown, consider a river walk.• Improve access to the Still River.• Better balance or better communicate management approach to Kenosha Lake. Its use a

reserve water supply conflicts with desired recreational uses at the lake.

Ideas identified by Break-Out Session Participants

Natural Resources: Ideas• Place more emphasis on saving old trees.• Replace lost trees with resilient native species.• Plant appropriate tree species in appropriate locations.• Create a comprehensive forestry management plan for the City.• Increase the City’s forestry resources and staffing.• Acquire additional open space to strategically link open space throughout the City to

allow for wildlife movement, biodiversity conservation, and a well-connected trail network.• Plan for the proactive control of invasive species.


Transportation: Issues• Development in City does not properly plan for transportation impact

• Growing west side of city constraining critical transportation facilities in the area, especially Mill Plain Road.

• General sentiment that you “cannot get there from here” due to increased traffic pressure in town.

• Recognition that I-84 has a massive impact on traffic and quality of life with regards to transportation options in the City.

• I-84 impacts on local travel• Recognition that I-84 has a massive impact on traffic and quality of life with regards

to transportation options in the City.• Sidewalks need improvement

• Lack of sidewalks in key areas such as near DHS• Deteriorated sidewalks in many locations.


Transportation: Issues• HART Bus service is limited.

• Hours of service and frequency difficult to use.• Limited amenities at bus stops.• Limited usefulness for transfer to Metro-North.• Routing difficult to understand, and takes a lot of time.

• Inter-City Bus no longer serving Danbury.• Peter Pan no longer services Danbury, no other inter-city bus service.

• Commuter rail service is limited.• Connections to rail services are difficult, parking is expensive and full, few public

transportation options exist.• Lengthy service to NYC.• Lack of service from New Milford to Danbury. • Diesel trains layover idling downtown for hours – noise + pollution complaints.


Transportation: Ideas• Plan for transportation impacts related to development

• Carefully balance the impact on quality of life issues such as traffic.• Comprehensively study local travel corridors city-wide – North, South, East, West, and

develop a plan to handle existing traffic and future growth.• The City should pair economic development with comprehensive transportation plan.

• I-84• Current I-84 plans are generally supported.• Need to mitigate cut-through traffic in neighborhoods that is diverting from I-84.• Better accommodate local traffic on City streets.

• Pedestrian• Add sidewalks to Danbury HS, Danbury Mall, Mill Plain Road and near busy bus stops• Pursue grant funding for sidewalk improvements to existing facilities.


Transportation: Ideas• City Bus

• The existing Brewster shuttle is a positive example of new service.• Expand hours of service and frequency.• Simplify routing.• Install more bus shelters at busy stops.• Focus on senior and low-income family populations.• Make HART routes usable for Metro-North Connections.• Add bus route to New Fairfield. • Locate buses in easier spot to connect to Metro-North.

• Inter-City Bus• Explore/recruit a replacement for Peter Pan.• Provide one-seat connections to cities such as Waterbury, Bridgeport, New Haven, etc.


Transportation: Ideas• Rail

• Re-open Danbury Train Station waiting room. Consider coffee shop to support this.• Electrify Danbury Branch Line.• Work towards direct service (one seat ride) to NYC via Brewster or New Haven Line –

Regardless of routing.• Expand rail service to New Milford to support commuting to Danbury.• Expand parking options for Metro-North.• Expand/improve bus connections to Metro-North station.


Economic Development: Issues• What does Danbury want to be? The City lack a vision.• Need to improve buildings downtown, bring them back to life.• Need affordable housing to allow young people to live and work in the city.• There is a real negative perception of downtown; people from certain parts of the city

won't visit.• Need to broaden business mix in downtown to keep people downtown.• Youth need activities downtown, after school work program, YMCA/Gyms.• Balance job growth with mobility and infrastructure, plan growth areas and support with

improved infrastructure.• Need to protect ourselves from changes in the retail sector, future of the mall?• Need to master plan our corridors, maybe mixed use, and must include infrastructure to

support growth.


Economic Development: Issues• What is Danbury's economic focus, what should we be going after?• How do we bring in higher paying jobs?• Invest in downtown aesthetics, consistency of design/signage/facades, improve the

reputation.• Danbury needs a brand.• How do we keep household spending local to Danbury, bring more spending to our

businesses?


Economic Development: Ideas• Capitalize on having WCU and other colleges in the city.• Partner with colleges/university to bring learning spaces downtown?• Grow healthcare jobs, especially given the aging population.• Continue to improve outdoor dining in downtown.• Old Feinstein's building is a great opportunity for reuse/redevelopment.• Bring people downtown with music, events, festivals, outdoor dining, food trucks, pop-ups.• Figure out how to keep graduates in the city instead of them leaving.• Create a talent pipeline of high school and college grads directly to businesses.• Bring a hotel downtown.• Create more neighborhood serving commercial nodes around the city, with grocery options.• More entertainment and art downtown to drive visitation.


Economic Development: Ideas• Extend downtown zoning to I-84 and allow for more growth while we preserve the older,

historic portions of downtown.• Bring more high paying jobs to the city.• Better support and protect small businesses (particularly given COVID impacts)• Create corridor plans and direct growth along key corridors.• Keep up our economic diversity (jobs, businesses, industry sectors). This will protect us

against future economic events• Focus on ways to lure remote workers here; create co-working spaces?• Work closely with diverse residents to prepare them for the workforce, tap into this population

for small business start ups too.• Build up a pipeline of local labor in the trades.• Leverage riverfront for economic development and tourism attraction.• Improve mobility options downtown, make it fun, e-scooters, e-bikes and the like.• More outdoor dining downtown.


Housing: Issues• Homelessness in Danbury is a problem.• The homeless issue will get worse when the Super 8 shelter closes in February 2022. A

positive feature of the Super 8 shelter is that residents can stay inside during the daytime hours, when typical shelters turn residents out. When this closes (in winter), exposure will be a problem.

• Securing a new homeless shelter location is a huge challenge because of NIMBYism.• The housing market is too competitive. Inventory is low and is expected to remain low

through 2022. This is driving up prices. • It is too hard for first time owners to enter the market in Danbury. Many units are selling to

investors who can offer cash.• Many seniors who are homeowners don’t qualify for services, subsidies, or other programs. • Many seniors can’t afford to leave their homes and move into senior living arrangements

because choices are limited, and prices are high. • Handicapped accessible housing is extremely limited.• Housing vouchers are not effective without an adequate supply of housing to use them on. • There is too much affordable housing; Danbury is above the 10% ratio.


Housing: Ideas• Build up, adjust zoning to allow more density if necessary.• Provide incentives for builders to develop/build affordable housing.• Limit who can qualify for housing subsidies so that it goes to the most in need.• Consider smaller group homes (similar to Pacific House in Stamford) for homeless.• Include appropriate populations in affordable housing discussions.• Expand support programs and benefits for seniors who want to stay in their homes.• Limit amount of investor-owned homes/encourage more owner-occupied units.• Create more of all types of housing.• Assess amenities at private places such as Kennedy Flats. Can these be combined with

other services/businesses/offerings in the City?• Research the maximum the average college graduate can pay for apartment rent. Ensure

there is housing stock to meet this market.


City Facilities and Services: Issues• City ordinances, such as the noise ordinance, need more regular enforcement.• Parks dusk to dawn policy needs to be enforced or revisited.• City Hall is only open 4 days a week, seems inadequate for a city.• The City’s athletic fields (especially at Rogers Park) need improvement.• The City needs first responders, in addition to police, that are trained for responding to social

disturbances/mental health issues.• Schools are overcrowded.• More sidewalks are needed, especially around schools.• Tarrywile Park needs more funding to maintain and improve facilities and resources.• The City’s water tastes like chlorine.• The 311 system is inefficient, responses are not prompt.• The City allows the development of more housing without adequate reinvestment in schools.• The City needs more schools at all levels: elementary, middle, high school.• There are few or no facilities for services such as public safety, recreation, and schools on the

west side of the City where there has been considerable growth and development.


City Facilities and Services: Ideas• The City needs to invest in education (teachers/curriculum and facilities) even if it comes at the

expense of increasing its mill rate.• Update all school buildings.• Provide more high-quality technical schools to provide alternative career pathways and provide an

alternative to DHS.• Provide an elementary school on the west side of the City.• Better fund the maintenance and improvement of City-owned historic buildings.• Provide lighting at more athletic fields to extend usable hours.• Expand and improve schools and recreation facilities in conjunction with new development, direct

taxes from those developments towards funding new facilities.• Ensure that the City has adequate sewer and water infrastructure to meet needs and be more

transparent in communicating with residents regarding issues and needs.• Improve all facilities at parks.• Provide more facilities on the west side of the City (elementary school, public safety, parks)• Invest, Invest, Invest!


Cultural and Historic Resources: Issues• Musicals at Richter (only community theater in Danbury) is deteriorated; they have

funding but aren’t using it.• There is no plan for the Octagon House and it’s too costly to bring it up to code.• Tarrywile Mansion has insufficient funding; they lost revenue due to COVID; they also

aren’t open enough to the public.• The Palace Theater should be fully restored; the wall that cut the original space in half

should be removed.• The Meekers Hardware building has structural issues.• Charles Ives Center (an outdoor venue at WestConn) is owned by the State but not used.• The City let Hearthstone fall apart; need to learn from that so it doesn’t happen to other

City properties.• Elmwood Park is underutilized.


Cultural and Historic Resources: Issues• The City needs a community theater downtown; there is nothing to bring people

downtown in the winter.• Historic properties downtown aren’t connected, especially at the south end of the historic

district.• The City can’t control the preservation/condition of private historic properties.• Parking meters discourage visitors from coming to the historic downtown.• There are restrictions on public art (denied application at Danbury Railway Museum).• There is a lack of cultural institutions in the City.• The community isn’t aware of cultural opportunities at Western CT State University.• The City doesn’t have an interest in protecting its arts landmarks (Ives Center is an

example).• Lack of transparency/publicity regarding historic and cultural opportunities in City.• Kids in the City aren’t connected to its history and culture.


Cultural and Historic Resources: Ideas• The City should invest in the trails in town (Ives and Marjorie).• The Old Courthouse at 71 Main Street (which has been deaccessioned by the State)

should be used as a museum.• The City needs to identify what it wants its downtown to be.• The City needs to preserve the historic core at South and Main Streets (at the south end

of the historic district); connect historic buildings through an interpretive trail (note: another attendee suggested this may already exist); parking would be necessary.

• The City should loosen the restrictions on public art.• Parking restrictions should be loosened to encourage people to visit the City’s historic

core.• The City needs a Historic District Commission with resources and power.• A plan should be developed to bring arts and cultural institutions to the downtown.


Cultural and Historic Resources: Ideas• A website should be developed to publicize events at historic and cultural venues around

town, including those at WestConn.• There should be more activities downtown; use an app to engage people (geocaching

was referenced).• Running races should be held at Tarrywile to bring people to the venue.• The schools should educate the kids about the historic assets in the City.• Fundraising should be organized to support historic assets.• Cultural activities in the City should be more inclusive.• The City should continue to support the Veterans’ Memorial.


Thank You for Participating!

• Visit www.danburypocd.com for meeting materials and updates regarding the plan.

• Take the survey if you have not already! A link is available on the website.

• Encourage those who could not attend tonight to participate virtually on Thursday, December 9th at 6:00 pm. A meeting link is available on the website.

http://www.danburypocd.com/

2023 plan of conservation and development public workshop

Documents