P&Z Commission Backs 854 Federal Road Purchase

Planning and Zoning · Meeting of February 17, 2026

Brookfield's Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to recommend buying a 3.7-acre parcel on Federal Road for open space. Community Development Specialist Greg Dumbowski said the purchase would unblock Streetscape Phase 4, stalled since 2019 over the undeveloped site, and could add a dog park and parking tied to the Still River Greenway. "There are 80 dogs at Brookfield Village," Dumbowski said, citing demand.

The Conservation Commission already backed using about $334,000 in restricted open-space funds for the deal. Vice Chair Scott Dale said the commission's job was to match the proposal against the town's Plan of Conservation and Development: "the real key to it all is the basis of whatever we decide to do should be the POCD." The purchase price remains undetermined, and officials said the seller may not accept an open-space valuation. The recommendation now heads to the Board of Selectmen and a town meeting.

In the full story:

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Source: the Planning and Zoning meeting of February 17, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

The Full Article

BROOKFIELD — February 17, 2026 — The Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to give a positive recommendation for the town to purchase a 3.7-acre parcel at 854 Federal Road, a move that could unlock a state-funded streetscape project stalled since 2019.

The vote came at a special virtual meeting called to consider a referral under Connecticut General Statute Section 8-24, which requires the commission to weigh in on municipal land acquisitions against the town's Plan of Conservation and Development. Community Development Specialist Greg Dumbowski told the commission he recommended the purchase to Steve Dunn after years of failed development attempts on the site left Streetscape Phase 4 in limbo.

The Full Story

Dumbowski said the undeveloped parcel, just north of the bowling alley and the liquor store on Federal Road, has blocked design work on Streetscape Phase 4 because the state will not fund sidewalk and road work without knowing what will happen on the adjoining property. The land is owned by Ed McCarti, who Dumbowski said is in poor health; his wife, Kathleen, is acting on his behalf as executor of the family estate. Two prior buyers, developer Tony Lucera's proposed 100-unit Enclave project and a later effort by AR Builders, both fell through after wetlands and rock ledge made large-scale development infeasible.

"Quite honestly, Greg, we're motivated to sell," Dumbowski said, relaying Kathleen's response when he asked what the family wanted to do with the land.

Dumbowski said he and Land Use Director Laura Barowski, along with Laura Murphy, concluded the site is not commercially developable but could support open space, a dog park and parking tied to the Still River Greenway trail. He cited demand for dog-friendly amenities downtown.

"There are 80 dogs at Brookfield Village. 80," Dumbowski said, describing the apartment complex's small existing pet area.

Vice Chair Scott Dale, at Chair Kurt Timman's request, explained the commission's role in an 8-24 referral for members unfamiliar with the process.

"The real key to it all is the basis of whatever we decide to do should be the POCD," Dale said.

Commissioners cited several POCD sections supporting the purchase, including page 142's call to acquire land in the town center district for public gathering space, page 171's direction to prioritize open-space acquisition downtown, and a parking section addressing town facilities and greenway access. Barowski clarified that roughly $334,000 in conservation funds already approved by the Conservation Commission for the purchase are restricted to open space or passive recreation use, meaning any parking or dog park design would have to fit within that limitation.

Dumbowski told the commission the town is separately constructing 33 new parking spaces near the Food Emporium this summer under Streetscape Phase 7 and recently won a $1.1 million grant to pave a parking lot on Pocono Road connecting to the Still River Greenway trail behind the police station. He said the price the town offers for 854 Federal Road has not been set and will likely be based on an open-space valuation rather than the property's commercial appraisal, meaning a deal with the McCarti estate is not guaranteed.

Regular member Mark Loenard asked whether a crosswalk with flashers would be needed given an apartment building across the street; Dumbowski said a crosswalk is already planned as part of Streetscape Phase 4 near the AR Builders site. Regular member Jeff Huntton and member Shan Turner both voiced support, with Huntton saying the project "would probably help just the overall attractiveness of the town."

The commission then adopted motion language drafted by the town attorney finding the purchase consistent with the Plan of Conservation and Development and recommending the town acquire the property for open space, with a portion reserved for the Streetscape Phase 4 project. Dale seconded the motion from Secretary Tony Papuchi.

Why It Matters

The vote clears a planning hurdle for a state-funded sidewalk and streetscape project that has been stuck since 2019 because of an undeveloped parcel with no driveway cut. If the Board of Selectmen and a town meeting approve the roughly $334,000 purchase using existing conservation funds, Brookfield would gain its first town-owned open space in the downtown four corners area, potentially including a dog park and additional parking tied to the Still River Greenway trail.

The purchase price is still unresolved, and officials cautioned the seller may not accept an open-space valuation over a commercial one. No hearing date before the Board of Selectmen had been set as of the meeting.

Key Motions & Votes

- Vote: Positive recommendation for town purchase of 854 Federal Road under C.G.S. Section 8-24, for use as open space with a portion for Streetscape Phase 4 Tally: Approved unanimously

Source

BrookfieldCT: Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, February 17, 2026