Ben Barnes said he had a presentation, put together in response to a request from the Zoning Board, quantifying “major areas in which real estate development and, in particular, development of multifamily housing, impacts city finances.” It’s not surprising that Barnes, Stamford’s director of administration, was asked to explain the link between development and the city’s fiscal condition. The Zoning Board, which rarely rejects projects, has been getting pushback from residents who’ve been reacting to 15 years of intense development. City data shows that Stamford built more than 13,000 apartments in the last 13 years. The problem is that they are nearly all high-rent and drawing people from outside Stamford who can afford to pay, said David Adams, a Stamford resident who listened to Barnes’ presentation.
Barnes Pitches Benefits of New Housing and Development to Stamford Zoning Board