         
    
 |
Legislative Action
Government Relations Committee Chair:
Christopher S. Wood, AICP
Wood Planning Associates, LLC
2009 Legislative Update
Connecticut Chapter Legislative Activity
Little of consequence resulted from the latest session of the General Assembly, particularly with respect to planning and land use issues. The only bill that CCAPA was watching closely that passed was PA 08-182, described briefly below. Bottom line: no new or revised land use regulations or administrative procedures should be required as a result of this legislative session, for the first time in the eight years or so I have participated on the Government Relations Committee.
A “Cause No Harm” Legislative Session
Several bills intending to address housing availability and affordability, add state and regional provisions for planning and land use regulation, and define additional wetlands jurisdictions did not succeed or were considerably watered down.
Despite the lack of meaningful action on housing issues, the Planning and Development Committee did raise some ideas that attracted some interest. However, a proposal put forth to promote conservation development designs, or “cluster” developments, seemed not to recognize that current statutes already permit such development and a that significant proportion of Connecticut communities apply such standards. Another proposal to mandate that any new residential district designate 20% of the area for small lot “starter homes” was based on poor understanding of constraints created by sewer and water availability.
Either of these bills as proposed would have jeopardized the success many towns have made in promoting conservation development designs. CCAPA pointed out these shortcomings in testimony and by direct contacts with legislators, presumably contributing to the ultimate demise of both bills. We expect continued interest in statutory revisions to promote housing diversity and affordability, and we hope that CCAPA will be consulted earlier in the development of any legislation, as we have offered.
While the P&D Committee’s interest in housing issues is encouraging, the Committee did not consider a related problem that affects good planning for residential as well as economic development. CCAPA testified to the need for State agencies to better coordinate regulatory reviews and funding requests in the context of the State Conservation and Development Policies Plan, particularly the Locational Guide Map. This Map is used by the Department of Environmental Protection in their regulatory and funding decisions, despite its inconsistency with the text of the State Plan and with many of the local plans adopted by Connecticut municipalities.
Testimony by planners from Wallingford, East Windsor, and South Windsor highlighted the planning difficulties created by these conflicting plans and CCAPA will continue our efforts to encourage reform of this bureaucratic stumbling block to good planning.
The Governor’s Responsible Growth bill proposed yet another set of definitions applying to responsible growth and devised a process for reviewing State investment in regionally significant projects by a Responsible Growth Cabinet. The bill also would have required that zoning, subdivision, and wetlands regulations be found to be consistent with the local Plan, as determined by the zoning commission, planning commission, or combined planning and zoning commission. CCAPA pointed out several flaws in the original bill, but despite revisions along the way it was not passed.
PA 08-182, An Act Implementing the Recommendations of the Program Review and Investigations Committee Study of Regional Planning Organizations, adds some provisions for coordinating planning, requires OPM to evaluate and re-designate, as necessary, appropriate planning regions, and continues the regional performance incentive program to support innovative ways of providing services jointly to multiple municipalities.
PA 08-174, An Act Concerning the Face of Connecticut Steering Committee, the Preservation of Farmland, A Municipal Grant Program for Development Projects, Loans for Brownfield Purchasers and Tax Exemptions for Open Space Land Held By or For Certain Corporations, (the title says it all) established procedures for farmland and open space grants through a new Face of Connecticut steering committee. This Public Act also established a brownfield remediation grant program. Funding levels for these programs remain to be seen. This Act also protected open space land held by conservation organizations from property taxes.
Unfortunately, despite some early optimism, this year’s bill to remove the treble damages provision from the municipal zoning enforcement authority also failed to receive a vote in the legislature. We will try again next year.
The somewhat disjointed consideration of planning related proposals during this session highlights the need for knowledgeable and professional input to the legislative process. I am pleased that many CCAPA members took the time to appear before committees and contact legislators on some of these matters and I am sure that our presence helped avoid some legislative missteps. Thanks to the Government Relations Committee members and to all who contributed.Christopher S. Wood, AICP
Chairman
CCAPA Government Relations Committee
Current CCAPA position papers may be reviewed via the 2008 Position Papers link below.
As always, the Government Relations Committee welcomes comments and questions from the membership and encourages all members to represent the Chapter's goals and specific recommendations directly to legislators, municipal officials, and colleagues. We also hope members will respond to specific requests for contacting legislators and municipal officials in support of CCAPA's legislative goals.
Navigating the General Assembly
Click here for a General Assembly Web Page Tutorial.
Title 8, General Statutes of Connecticut: Click here for the planning and zoning statutes revised to January 2007. (latest available online)
Click here for the 2008 Supplement to planning and zoning statutes revised to January 1, 2008
PUBLIC ACT 03-177 - Time Limits Click here for matrix. (10/01/03)
Click here to open or download a copy of Ten Steps to Sending Effective E-Mail to Elected Officials" (PDF)
Click here to open or download a copy of Ten Steps to Composing Persuasive Letters and Faxes" (PDF)