West Hartford Council Will Now Oversee Affordable Housing Site Plans

WEST HARTFORD, CT — The West Hartford Town Council unanimously approved an ordinance Tuesday transferring review authority for certain affordable housing site plans from the town planner to the council, citing legal and policy considerations tied to state law.

The measure passed 9-0 without opposition.

The ordinance amends the town code to require town council review of site plan applications when proposals include uses not permitted under existing zoning, increased density beyond local limits, or the creation of new streets.

Previously, such site plan approvals were handled administratively by the town planner.

Town officials cited the unique legal framework of Section 8-30g — which allows developers of affordable housing to bypass certain local zoning restrictions — as justification for the change.

The ordinance notes that such applications “involve extraordinary state pre-emption and carry heightened legal and procedural risks” and may diverge from local planning goals on density, design, and infrastructure.

Under the new process, qualifying applications will be referred to the West Hartford Plan and Zoning Commission for study and recommendation, followed by a public hearing scheduled by the council within 30 to 65 days.

The council may also seek input from the West Hartford Design Review Advisory Committee.

The town planner will continue to handle standard site plan, lot split, and lot line revision applications, with a 65-day decision window that can be extended once with applicant consent.

Council members did not voice opposition during the vote, and no amendments were introduced.

The ordinance takes effect following its adoption, shifting responsibility for applicable affordable housing site plan reviews to the town council for future applications.

For the minutes of the March 10 West Hartford Town Council meeting, click on this link.