Old Lyme Housing Committee Reviews Zoning Changes, Affordable Housing Planning

OLD LYME, CT — Old Lyme's Housing Strategic Planning Steering Committee is preparing a shorter summary of the issues the town must address in developing its housing plan, including zoning regulations, affordable housing requirements and state legislation.

At its Oct. 22 meeting, the committee discussed a draft paper prepared by member George Frampton outlining issues related to the town's zoning regulations rewrite and requirements under Connecticut Public Act 25-1.

Members agreed that reducing the paper to approximately two pages would make it easier to discuss the issues. Frampton and committee member Denise Savageau will work on the revised document for consideration at the next meeting.

The committee took no formal vote on the draft paper.

Zoning Review And Community Input

Savageau reported that the Old Lyme Zoning Commission had completed a major public outreach and data collection effort that included three community workshops, follow-up focus group meetings and an online survey.

The commission is now working with its consultant to review the information collected and has scheduled meetings for the first Wednesday of each month.

Savageau said the commission continues to welcome written comments from other town boards and commissions, including the Planning Commission and Affordable Housing Commission.

Accessory dwelling units were identified as an important topic during the community workshops and online survey, she said.

Committee member Bonnie Reemsnyder emphasized that the Zoning Commission is directing the regulatory review and establishing priorities, while the consultant is facilitating the work.

Savageau said continued participation by other commissions and focus group members would be important as the review proceeds.

Regional Affordable Housing Planning

Reemsnyder reported that the Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments, known as RiverCOG, is continuing to collect baseline housing data for its member municipalities.

RiverCOG recently distributed detailed information about its data collection and modeling work for review. Town staff member Eric Knapp forwarded those materials to committee members.

The committee plans to review the information at its next meeting.

Committee Chairman Howard Margules reported on a recent RiverCOG planning meeting that included discussion of Connecticut General Statutes Section 8-30g, the state's affordable housing appeals law.

Margules said participants discussed challenges associated with maintaining affordability requirements for housing developments, including property price restrictions and income eligibility standards.

The discussion also addressed the need for better enforcement of those requirements.

Margules said regional officials are examining a possible pilot program involving tiny houses. Committee members discussed challenges associated with affordable housing development, including the cost of installing on-site septic systems.

Federal Housing Legislation

Margules also reported on a housing workshop he attended in eastern Connecticut.

He said U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney discussed bipartisan housing legislation approved by Congress.

According to Margules, the legislation authorized housing-related initiatives, but the funding portion had not yet been approved.

The committee did not take action on the federal legislation.

Committee Business

The committee unanimously approved its Sept. 24 meeting minutes following a motion by Todd Machnik and a second by Frampton. The minutes did not provide a numerical vote count.

No members of the public spoke during the meeting.

The meeting was held at Old Lyme Town Hall, beginning at 9:05 a.m.

The committee adjourned at 10:20 a.m.