Politics & Government

Sen. Slossberg testifies on affordable housing appeals reform proposal

Tells legislative committee of need for rebalancing to level playing field, greater local control

Under current state law, municipalities in the state of Connecticut sit on an uneven playing field in negotiations with developers seeking to build on undeveloped land commonly held as open space.

Pending legislation proposed by state Senator Gayle Slossberg (D-Milford), however, would change state law to reform the affordable housing appeals process to give towns greater opportunity to preserve pristine land within their borders.

“We have two equally important policy goals in our state: providing affordable housing opportunities and preserving open space and land of environmental significance,” Slossberg said. “Right now, the statutes favor development. However, that isn’t necessarily in the best interest of the municipality, and I believe we should be allowing for greater local control in situations where these two policy goals collide.”

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Under Slossberg’s proposal, applications for affordable housing developments would be referred to local conservation commissions, which would then determine the environmental significance of a tract of land. If a parcel is designated and certified as potential open space, appeals procedures would no longer apply—giving towns greater opportunity to negotiate with developers on equal footing.

“While pursing the laudable goal of encouraging development of affordable housing options, I believe our procedure has put the system out of balance,” Slossberg said. “The system overrides, in part, the state goal and our local interest in preserving what little open space we have left. I believe this proposal would be a great stride toward leveling the playing field and restoring that balance.”

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The proposals—codified as Senate Bill 302 and House Bill 5781—currently await action from the Housing Committee. State Representative Paul Davis (D-Orange) also testified in favor of House Bill 5781 today.

The 2011 regular legislative session adjourns on June 8.


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