Celebrating Our Wilton Portfolio
Continuing our series showcasing the towns and cities where we have made a difference, this quarter, we turn our attention to Wilton, Connecticut. This charming town, known for its scenic beauty and strong community spirit, balances its rich history while keeping an open mind toward future possibilities. Wilton’s focus on preserving its unique character while embracing thoughtful growth presents distinct opportunities, and we are pleased to share some of our recent contributions to this dynamic landscape. Below, we highlight a selection of our projects in Wilton and the valued partnerships that make them possible.
131 Danbury Road
For our client, AMS Acquisitions, Redniss & Mead led the project through the land use entitlement process, including applications and presentations to the Water Pollution Control Authority, Architectural Review Board, Inland Wetlands Commission, and Planning & Zoning Commission. We successfully managed the client’s team of consultants and secured the local approvals, enabling the construction of 208 apartments on the 4.75-acre site.
Beinfield Architecture created a unique design that came to be known as the ‘jewel box’, a smaller timber and glass amenity building at the front of the site which evokes a familiar New England shape and style and provides the curb appeal screening the larger building behind it.
We worked closely with the WPCA to prove available sewer capacity, demonstrated protection of the Norwalk River and enhancements to its riparian buffer to IWC, and documented compliance with floodplain management and Special Permit criteria to PZC.
Connecticut Humane Society
We played a key role in bringing the Connecticut Humane Society’s vision for a new, state-of-the-art facility to life. Redniss & Mead served as the project surveyor and civil engineer, working closely with project attorney Gregory Adams on the zoning analysis and a vital text amendment to increase the allowable special permit use size within the residential zone. This collaboration was crucial to the project’s success.
The Humane Society, a non-profit operating numerous shelters, adoption centers, and veterinary clinics across Connecticut, needed a new home in Wilton. Their vision was ambitious: an 18-acre site transformed into a welcoming space that would not only provide innovative animal care but also serve as a hub for community engagement. They envisioned a public veterinary medical clinic, a center dedicated to fostering pet adoptions, and a low-stress environment for animals awaiting their forever homes, benefiting both Wilton and the broader community. Amenta Emma, the project architect, designed a beautiful new animal care facility which received unanimous approval and accolades from the Architectural Review Board.
The site’s past uses, rolling topography, and impacted wetland corridors where both a challenge and opportunity. CHS was committed to responsible environmental stewardship. We worked closely with the health department to obtain approval for a carefully designed on-site septic system.
Perhaps the most innovative aspect of our work was the stormwater management design. We proposed the use of predominantly porous surfaces including porous asphalt, permeable pavers, and other low-impact solutions. This approach significantly reduces stormwater runoff and improves the quality of the water that does flow from the site, demonstrating our commitment to sustainable engineering practices.
15-21 River Road
This transformative project was the first to utilize Wilton Center’s innovative Form-Based Code, which ensured every aspect – site design, architecture, and landscaping – aligned with the town’s vision. Redniss & Mead played a key role as the zoning and land use consultant helping the developer, Kimco, architect, Cube3, and landscape architect, Mayan Rykiel, conform their designs to the requirements of the brand-new code. We were integral to the presentation before the Planning & Zoning Commission, which had a keen interest in scrutinizing the first project to use the new code. The project features 169 apartments and 10,000 square feet of retail space and is designed to increase foot traffic to support local businesses, enhance the streetscape experience and aesthetic, and add to the vitality of Wilton Center.
15 Old Danbury Road
A new future is taking shape in the heart of Wilton, where an underutilized office building stands adjacent to the Wilton Train Station and a new pedestrian walkway over the Norwalk River to the village center and Merwin Meadows Park. Recognizing the potential of this prime location, Toll Brothers proposes a transformative project: a residential community of 208 units with robust amenities utilizing the transit and pedestrian connectivity of the site. This development will breathe new life into the area and continue to encourage the revitalization of Wilton Center. Craig Flaherty has been working closely with the developer and the town to design a project that advances their goals, improves the pedestrian experience around the train station, and improves the quality of stormwater runoff tributary to the river. We were proud to partner with team members Seelan Pather of Beinfield Architecture, Lisa Fienberg of Carmody Law, and Eric Rains, Landscape Architecture.
118 Old Ridgefield Road
This mixed-use project is proposed under Wilton’s Form-based Code and designed by Granoff Architects. Their striking yet traditional design will add to the appeal of the streetscape along Old Ridge Field Road in Wilton Center. Liz Suchy of Carmody Law is managing the entitlement process, which, if approved, will allow for the construction of twenty residential apartments and 3,300 square feet of retail space. Redniss & Mead was asked by the Polito family to provide land surveying, site civil engineering, and zoning consulting services to round out a strong and experienced land use consulting team.
Wilton Center Lofts
This 40-unit mixed-income apartment building with affordable and market-rate units designed by Granoff Architects sits at the corner of Hubbard Place and Godfrey Place in Wilton Center. Redniss & Mead supported the project by providing land surveying and site civil engineering services. This multi-family residential community replaces a vacant office building, bringing more residents to Wilton Center to encourage economic activity in the village center and provide much needed affordable housing.
Wilton Heights
Redniss & Mead helped win the approvals for this high-profile project at the corner of Danbury Road and Ridgefield Road across from the train station in Wilton. A Zone Map change and regulation amendment were required to facilitate the proposed development. We actively assisted project attorney Gregory & Adams in navigating a successful zoning process. The land use entitlements permit the construction of 72 two-bedroom apartments and 20,000 square feet of commercial space, which has the potential to transform the site into a vibrant mixed-use development. Our sensitive site and stormwater management system design helped secure approval from the wetland commission, ensuring the protection and enhancement of those resources. The strategic location of the site at the intersection of Route 7 and Route 33, near the Wilton train station, further enhanced its appeal and aligned with the principles of transit-oriented development.
“We’re honored to play a role in Wilton’s continued success and appreciate the chance to work alongside the town and our partners on these and other important initiatives. We remain dedicated to supporting Wilton’s vision for their future”, reflected Craig J. Flaherty, P.E., President and Senior Engineer.
In the coming installments of this series, we’ll be featuring our work in Darien, Greenwich, Westport, and Stamford, so be sure to check back soon.
Explore our portfolio to learn more about our projects in Wilton and throughout Fairfield County.