Milford P&Z Board Votes To Retain Accessory Dwelling Unit Control

MILFORD, CT — The Planning and Zoning Board voted to opt-out of a state law that would cede accessory dwelling unit zoning control to state regulations, which are less restrictive than Milford’s current rules. The Board of Aldermen will also need to vote to opt out by the end of the year if it wishes to do so.

Mayor Ben Blake spoke in favor of opting out of the state law, but said there is no question that Milford should update its current accessory dwelling unit regulations.

“Essentially, by opting out, we get to keep local control, we get to keep our control of our own planning destiny here in the city of Milford,” Mayor Ben Blake said. “I can’t stress how important that is.”

Current Milford accessory dwelling units limit occupants to those who are related by blood, marriage or legal adoption. They also have to utilize the existing dwelling’s utilities and be connected to the main house, and they can’t be utilized for income purposes.

There are currently between 100 and 200 accessory dwelling units in the entire city, City Planner David Sulkis said.

There is no doubt living in Milford is expensive, and accessory dwelling units could help mitigate that, Commissioner John Mortimer said.

“We can put in something that fits our community better than the cookie cutter approach that the state is taking,” he said. “And as the mayor mentioned, if something goes wrong, we can correct it.”

Several residents spoke in favor of not opting out of the state law, or at least changing the city’s restrictive regulations.

School nurse Darcy Jeffrey lives in her home that has been in her family since 1925. Ideally, she would like to turn a garage on the property into an accessory dwelling unit for her parents.

“They could age in place there,” she said. “And there's so many benefits to that, not having to move to assisted living when the time comes.”

Resident Theresa Eke spoke in support of not opting out.

“I know older people who are working full time, they can't afford to live in Milford either, they work in our nursing homes, they make $20 an hour,” she said. “And they could live in an ADU and live in Milford. They're an important part of this community.”

ADUs could help people age in place, or serve as a source of income to help with high housing costs.

“You're you're really constraining the type of people who can afford to live in Milford and get a start in life,” she said. “And you're really constraining the needs of homeowners who can no longer afford their exorbitant mortgages.”