Opinion: Taking Back Control of Housing Development, or Relinquishing It to Hartford?

The following opinion essay was written by the Fairfield Republican Town Committee:

Fairfield, CT, July 31, 2025 - At its July 28th meeting, the Democrat majority on the RTM voted to join the Connecticut Municipal Development Authority (CMDA). While supporters (28 RTM Democrats, 1 RTM Republican) claimed the need for resources, planning assistance, and tools to manage growth, the decision to move forward with this partnership was premature and potentially detrimental to Fairfield’s ability to maintain true local control.

The irony of joining the CMDA is that Fairfield can’t “take back local control” by handing power to a Hartford-created agency. Real local control means empowering our own boards and commissions, investing in professional planning staff, and engaging the community in meaningful ways, not relying on outside entities to define what’s best for us.

CMDA is a quasi-public agency. Its mission may sound helpful on paper: access to state funding, technical expertise, and support for “smart growth”, but the structure and accountability of quasi-public agencies in Connecticut have historically been inconsistent at best. These entities are not elected, they’re not fully transparent, and they often operate with limited oversight (think PURA). Joining one should never be done lightly, and when RTM legislation can only pick up one bi-partisan vote, there’s a problem.

We’re told CMDA “can’t override zoning,” but read the fine print: it was created by the same state government that brought us high-rise apartments under the 8-30g statute. Its enabling legislation allows CMDA to finance, develop, and manage properties in towns that opt in. So, while we may retain zoning authority in theory (except when it comes to 8-30g applications), in practice, CMDA can still exert significant influence using funding access to steer development priorities and encourage projects that may not reflect Fairfield’s character or community values.

Yes, development is a reality. But Fairfield’s residents deserve a say in how we grow. The fact that this resolution was introduced, debated, and passed in the heart of summer, when many families are away and not watching RTM meetings, only reinforces how little input the public had.

The RTM acted too quickly, with too many unanswered questions. If we truly want a smarter growth strategy, let’s build it here in Fairfield, not outsource it to a quasi-public agency with its own agenda. There's an election in November. We encourage you to pay close attention to the actions of your local legislators. Are they representing you? Get involved: rtc@fairfieldrtc.com.