Your Local Zoning Control Under Threat
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.
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;
- And overburden the public water and sewer infrastructure.
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’ve personally spoken with our local PZC’s in Ashford, Tolland and Willington, and we are making tremendous progress at the local level towards diversifying our housing stock. But that progress would be derailed if the legislature passes this bill and takes the decision-making away from our towns.
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 Tammy.Nuccio@housegop.ct.gov
Testify by phone:
To register, call 203-350-3769 to leave your contact information.