Simsbury Mulls Affordable Housing Mandate For Developers

SIMSBURY, CT — For the first time in nearly 18 months, the town's zoning board did not have an application to discuss and decide at its regular meeting last week.

But the Simsbury Zoning Commission March 4 did have a lot to talk about, namely about whether it will mandate future housing developments set aside some of its units as affordable housing.

Such units allow folks of all incomes and backgrounds to live in town, something many communities like Simsbury are struggling with as the cost of living continues to grow.

Simsbury Planning George McGregor discussed the issue at the regular meeting on March 4.

At issue is whether the town wants to implement what is called "inclusionary zoning," with such a mandate requiring a certain percentage of units per housing development project be set aside for "affordable" living.

After discussion by commission members, McGregor said the town's planning department will draft a so-called "inclusionary zoning" text amendment for the commission's review and decide later.

Inclusionary zoning "is just another way of saying 'having a local regulation that requires a minimum number of affordable housing units as part of any development,'" McGregor said March 4. "State statutes allow for this."

McGregor went over options Simsbury has about such inclusionary zoning in an in-depth presentation earlier this month.

The zoning board next meets Monday, May 18, at 7 p.m. at Simsbury Town Hall, 933 Hopmeadow St.

That text amendment is listed as the main item of discussion that evening, with the Town of Simsbury listed as the official applicant.

This action comes less than a month after the commission in February rejected a massive housing/commercial/retail development at the old Hartford Insurance site at 140 Hopmeadow St.

For the minutes of the March 4 Simsbury Zoning Commission meeting, click on this link.

For the agenda of the March 18 Simsbury Zoning Commission meeting, click on this link.