Planning for Darien’s Future
Recent developments in Darien—three major pedestrian-friendly mixed-use developments and the acquisition of Great Island—have changed a sense of our town when viewed from a distance. We may see it all as incremental change, but to someone considering moving to Darien, the appeal is now two walkable “town centers” in the Corbin District and Norton Heights; great schools and student sports; and a large Town property on The Sound. This transformation begs the question of what civic improvements and land use planning opportunities will support the town as it has evolved.
To answer this question, Jeremy Ginsberg, Darien Director of Land Use, will speak to us on what visions of the 2016 Town Plan are still in play and yet to be implemented and how the vision for the future has evolved since that plan was adopted. Jeremy brings to us the advantage of experiencing planning and land use considerations and initiatives spanning several iterations of leadership at the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Environmental Protection Commission, and the Architectural Review Board.
Jeremy Ginsberg has worked for the Planning & Zoning Department for over 29 years in many roles—winding his way from Assistant Planner, all the way to his current position as the Director of Land Use. He has worked for numerous Planning & Zoning Chairmen and First Selectmen, and the Town has seen tremendous redevelopment during that time. Jeremy has helped oversee numerous technology changes within the Department through the years, including, most recently, software which allows for on-line applications and permitting without the need to come to Town Hall. It is estimated that in his time in Darien, he has attended over 900+ land use board meetings.
Jeremy has a Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).This certification requires 30+ annual hours of continuing education training.
Speaker Summary
The town of Darien is changing from historically a railroad and US1 intersection with linear development to a town with significant pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use developments and a remarkable large natural preserve on the Sound have introduced an enhanced vitality to the town experience. This transformation raises the question of what civic improvements and land use planning opportunities are envisioned for the next decades.
Jeremy Ginsberg, Darien Director of Land Use, joined us to place recent development in Darien in the context of social, economic, and cultural trends. Jeremy has been involved in land use planning and decisions in Darien for nearly 30 years. His illustrated presentation covered the history of development over the years, the critical events in history that have altered the course of local land use, the town’s considerations in approving those developments currently coming to completion, and the forces that may influence the future.
Among the historic milestones Jeremy mentioned were completion of the railroad in 1850, introduction of zoning in 1925, the completion of I-95 in the 1950s, multi-family housing introduced in Darien in 1985, and the example set for what was possible in the future with the 1999 completion of the Grove Street Plaza (ground level retail and foodservice, a plaza, outdoor seating areas and pedestrian amenities, and all removed from the Post Road).
Looking forward, we already know that the internet and covid have fundamentally changed what citizens are looking for in a town, where the role of bricks and mortar retail is challenged and working from home changes the expectations for offices as well as amenities such as eating establishments. Restaurants are expected to have outdoor dining opportunities. Demographics may encourage fitting retirement and assisted living facilities into our town, as well as mandated affordable housing. Environmental considerations influence expectations to be able to park once in town and walk to multiple destinations. And traffic flow must be improved on the Post Road by eliminating curbcuts and back-out parking.
Jeremy then illustrated these trends and imperatives across developments familiar to us all. The informative and comprehensive presentation was followed with a hearty array of questions.
Video presentation: Jeremy Ginsberg