Key Takeaways
- • Hines SL Wilton Associates LP pledged more deliberate community engagement as it restarted pre-application review of its School Sisters of Notre Dame redevelopment at Planning and Zoning Commission's Oct. 13 meeting, after withdrawing its formal applications earlier in the month.
- • Hines' plan for a 280-unit continuing care retirement community (CCRC) on the 38-acre Belden Hill Rd. site drew repeated commissioner concern over traffic, with Hines estimating 69 additional vehicles per hour during the afternoon peak.
- • Hines proposes a density standard of eight dwelling units per acre, versus 12 units per acre under existing congregate housing rules, and a "weighted building height" method that would replace the current 57½-foot measurement for the proposed building.
- • Commissioners asked Hines to study turning lanes on Belden Hill Rd. and Wolfpit Rd., and a possible traffic light or rotary, while P&Z Chair Ken Hoffman asked whether the developer would preserve the historic Vollmer House.
Summary
Hines SL Wilton Associates LP appeared before Wilton's Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, to restart its application process for the former School Sisters of Notre Dame property on Belden Hill Rd. The developer withdrew its applications earlier in the month after P&Z decided to hold a separate public hearing on Hines' proposed changes to the town's zoning regulations. The pre-application session, which ran a little over two hours, gives commissioners a non-binding opportunity to comment before a formal review. Hines attorney Lisa Feinberg said the company wanted to understand "whether this commission believes that this use could be appropriate for the school sister's property, and if so, at what scale."
Hines is proposing a 280-unit CCRC on the 38-acre site. Feinberg argued the project conforms with two goals of the 2019 Plan of Conservation and Development: conserving open space by limiting construction to the existing building envelope and protecting about 18 acres of wooded land, including 10 acres of wetland, and diversifying housing for retirees. Hines also contends the property's existing institutional zoning and surrounding non-residential uses, including Miller-Driscoll School, two churches and a South Norwalk Electric and Water facility, make it suitable. Perkins-Eastman architects said the buildings would be set back 150 feet from Belden Hill Rd., with nearly four acres of greenway.
The zoning changes are central to the dispute. Hines proposes a density of eight dwelling units per acre, including wetlands and underwater land if deed-restricted as conservation areas, compared with 12 units per acre under existing congregate housing rules. Hines also proposes a "weighted building height" measurement. Town planning director Michael Wrinn said current rules measure a building's highest roof, while Hines' method averages multiple roof sections. Engineer Craig Flaherty said current rules would classify the building as 57½ feet tall, and argued the proposed method better reflects the sloped site. Commissioners questioned whether the change could set a precedent for taller buildings elsewhere, and Hoffman asked for an added column showing heights measured from average grade. Commissioner Jill Duncan described the facility as feeling like "a big apartment building with a couple of cottages just sprinkled in."
Traffic drew equal scrutiny. Hines managing director Grant Jaber estimated 69 additional vehicles per hour during the afternoon peak, and said roughly 50 on-site staff shifts would be scheduled to avoid commute and school drop-off times. Hines is studying a turning lane on Wolfpit Rd. and would "happily study" one on Belden Hill Rd. Vice Chair Mark Ahasic suggested a traffic light or rotary and said a fix could be "the silver bullet" for congestion. Hoffman also asked Jaber whether Hines would preserve the historic Vollmer House, which the withdrawn plans proposed to demolish, noting that the Historic District and Historical Property Commission had urged its preservation. Feinberg also said deed restrictions would run with the land with the town as a signatory, a point of focus given a 2013 deed restriction tied to the town sewer connection that the town did not sign.
Hines is proposing a 280-unit CCRC on the 38-acre site. Feinberg argued the project conforms with two goals of the 2019 Plan of Conservation and Development: conserving open space by limiting construction to the existing building envelope and protecting about 18 acres of wooded land, including 10 acres of wetland, and diversifying housing for retirees. Hines also contends the property's existing institutional zoning and surrounding non-residential uses, including Miller-Driscoll School, two churches and a South Norwalk Electric and Water facility, make it suitable. Perkins-Eastman architects said the buildings would be set back 150 feet from Belden Hill Rd., with nearly four acres of greenway.
The zoning changes are central to the dispute. Hines proposes a density of eight dwelling units per acre, including wetlands and underwater land if deed-restricted as conservation areas, compared with 12 units per acre under existing congregate housing rules. Hines also proposes a "weighted building height" measurement. Town planning director Michael Wrinn said current rules measure a building's highest roof, while Hines' method averages multiple roof sections. Engineer Craig Flaherty said current rules would classify the building as 57½ feet tall, and argued the proposed method better reflects the sloped site. Commissioners questioned whether the change could set a precedent for taller buildings elsewhere, and Hoffman asked for an added column showing heights measured from average grade. Commissioner Jill Duncan described the facility as feeling like "a big apartment building with a couple of cottages just sprinkled in."
Traffic drew equal scrutiny. Hines managing director Grant Jaber estimated 69 additional vehicles per hour during the afternoon peak, and said roughly 50 on-site staff shifts would be scheduled to avoid commute and school drop-off times. Hines is studying a turning lane on Wolfpit Rd. and would "happily study" one on Belden Hill Rd. Vice Chair Mark Ahasic suggested a traffic light or rotary and said a fix could be "the silver bullet" for congestion. Hoffman also asked Jaber whether Hines would preserve the historic Vollmer House, which the withdrawn plans proposed to demolish, noting that the Historic District and Historical Property Commission had urged its preservation. Feinberg also said deed restrictions would run with the land with the town as a signatory, a point of focus given a 2013 deed restriction tied to the town sewer connection that the town did not sign.
Go deeper than the headline
Research every firm in this story, track the ones that matter and get the daily briefing — free for 7 days.