Housing bill usurps local zoning control

HARTFORD – The General Assembly met in a special legislative session to take up a number of new bills, most notably an omnibus piece of legislation aimed at addressing the state's housing affordability crisis.

Unfortunately, the bill brought forward by the majority party was not something I could not support. This bill was very similar to H.B. 5002 which was passed earlier this year in regular legislative session and was later vetoed by Gov. Lamont. Among the many flaws in the new bill, "An Act Concerning Housing Growth," was the usurping of local town control on housing decisions, the creation of a new statewide housing authority and the elimination of off-street parking minimums required for new housing projects with fewer than 16 units.

"This bill disregards local control over all towns and cities in Connecticut, both rural and urban. Handing decision power on housing projects over to unelected bureaucrats in Hartford is an affront to home rule. Our local elected officials, planning and zoning professionals and residents are best-suited to make zoning decisions for their communities," said Rep. Reddington-Hughes (R-Woodbury). 

The new bill will also allow the state to create a statewide housing authority, which can then build housing on state land. This paves the way for state-owned housing projects. Municipalities will be required to approve housing projects on properties that are converted from commercial to residential without a public hearing required, another assault on local control of zoning decisions. Off-street parking requirements are also eliminated for any development project under 16 units of housing.