Statement from Rep. Callahan on HB 5002:

Thank you to everyone who spoke out about HB 5002, a controversial omnibus housing bill I voted against this session. I’ve been hearing from local elected officials about their concerns with the so-called Towns Take the Lead section. The methodology is flawed because it doesn’t take into consideration the impact on available land, infrastructure, schools, and strain on emergency services. It also disregards the State of Connecticut’s goal to preserve open space.

Other sections of the bill would fundamentally change local zoning and have ramifications for decades by eroding local control and burdened our communities with one-size-fits-all mandates.

• Making requirements for petitioning zoning commissions over rulings more onerous

• Allowing developers to bypass off-street parking requirements

• Eliminating public hearings for commercial-to-housing redevelopment, cutting local residents out of decisions that impact their neighborhoods