State Rep. Greg Howard: IMPORTANT – Local Zoning Public Hearing
I’m writing to let you know about an important public hearing Monday in the legislature’s Planning and Development Committee, where there are several bills aimed at upending local control of land use decisions.
Among the bills is S.B. 1024, An Act Concerning Zoning Authority, Certain Design Guidelines, Qualifications of Certain Land Use Officials and Certain Sewage Disposal Systems. This proposal is built on recommendations from Desegregate CT, a special interest group that on Wednesday emailed its supporters to notify them that S.B. 1024 contains “ALL of the reforms” the group has advocated for since it was created last summer.
The need for more diverse housing in Connecticut needs to be addressed, however the individual needs of each community (including cities, suburbs, and rural areas) must be considered. The effect of this legislative push will:
- Eliminate local control over certain types of housing (location-based, accessory, 2+ units) and allow certain development to occur without a local public hearing;
- Create new mandates (and costs) including training staff;
- Affect the environment and drinking water statewide by ignoring the responsibilities of municipalities who host waterways, open space;
- Impact traffic flow, parking demands;
- Drive up residency at a rate which outpaces the capacities of local resources/services such as police, fire, and schools;
- Overburden the public water and sewer infrastructure (if available);
- Require access to public transportation (if available.)
Watch a recent legislative forum on the topic here.
When it comes to development, it’s local residents—not the state or special interest groups—who know what works best for our communities. I hope you’ll speak out to help block more state interference in local affairs and preserve the “home rule” structure that makes each of our municipalities so unique.
TAKE ACTION!
Planning & Development Committee Public Hearing
Monday, March 15, 10 a.m.
[ View agenda ]
Testify virtually (via Zoom)
Registration deadline: Sunday, March 14, @ 3 p.m.
| Register right now! |
Testify via email:
Send testimony to pdtestimony@cga.ct.gov
Include S.B. 1024 in the subject line
Preferably Word or PDF format; please include your name
Copy me on your testimony at greg.howard@housegop.ct.gov
Testify by phone:
To register, call 203-350-3769 to leave your contact information.