Norwalk committee advances 'missing middle' conversation, expands ADU options and zoning incentives

Norwalk City’s Affordable Housing Ad Hoc Committee discussed “missing middle” housing, accessory dwelling units and other zoning and legislative steps during its July meeting as staff outlined recent planning-and-zoning changes and next steps for incentives and outreach.

The meeting covered three main threads: 1) recent Planning and Zoning Commission regulatory changes that adjust how certain units count toward workforce housing requirements and add modest density incentives; 2) a push to expand and simplify accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rules and possible preapproved ADU plans; and 3) exploration of targeted tax abatements and state legislative proposals to remove statutory barriers to housing types the city needs.

The committee heard that the planning commission adopted new language allowing a limited density-related incentive tied to unit type, plus a recertification allowance for workforce tenants. As Michelle, planning staff, summarized: “there was a density bonus language that was adopted, and then there was language that would allow recertifying tenants that are already in the program to remain in the program, but, allow them to have a bump in their income, annually up to 90% state median income.” The staff said the 90% state median income (SMI) recertification provision is effective now and that administrators enforcing workforce restrictions were emailed about the change.

On the densi…