Op-Ed: The Coming Building Capacity Storm

By Fred Camillo, First Selectman, Town of Greenwich

Recently, I was made aware of a shocking development: our utility companies can no longer provide the service for newer developments and large renovations to existing structures. I immediately asked for, and received, a meeting with two of the utilities here in Connecticut. At the meetings, both acknowledged the dilemma and pledged to work with Town officials to get the word out. They also agreed to join me in a forum in Greenwich Town Hall in September to present the facts and provide guidance on their future capabilities when it comes to providing service to buildings and homes.

This is not about opposing development. Greenwich has welcomed responsible investment and will continue to do so. But growth must be matched by infrastructure.

Our utilities are feeling the strain. Electric service, water supply, sewer capacity, stormwater systems, and road networks were not designed to accommodate unlimited density. As larger homes and more intense development continue to be encouraged through state mandates, the question becomes unavoidable: who will pay for the necessary infrastructure upgrades, and how long will residents be expected to wait for them?

Hartford should not require towns to approve development without first ensuring that the infrastructure exists to support it safely and reliably.

This new develpoment comes at a time when local leaders across the state are opposing state soning mandates while promoting local control and progress without state interference.

For generations, Connecticut recognized that local communities knew their neighborhoods best. Sadly, that recognition has ended and with it the principle of home rule continues to be eroded by the growing number of zoning mandates coming from Hartford. This now decades old and overreaching trend has to be reevaluated.

I urge the Governor and members of the General Assembly to apply the brakes and reconsider this one-size-fits-all approach. Every town is different, and every community faces its own opportunities and challenges. Local elected officials, planning commissions, and residents are far better positioned to make thoughtful decisions about growth than legislators hundreds of miles away. When you couple this belief with the difficulties of the utilitiy companies to meet the bulding mandates and demand, it is time call a halt to Hartford zoning mandates.

In the end, we know that the best planning begins at the local level. Municipal leaders understand the capacity of their roads, schools, public safety services, and utilities because we work with them every day. Decisions that permanently reshape our communities should remain in the hands of those who know them best.

I respectfully ask Governor Lamont and our legislators to immediately enact a moratorium on current and additional zoning mandates, comunicate with our state utility companies, restore greater authority to local governments, and partner with municipalities on infrastructure before imposing new development requirements.

Connecticut's future depends not on building more, but on building wisely.