Milford P&Z discusses draft CDD‑2 zoning changes to spur housing; board split on affordability rules

The Milford Planning & Zoning Commission on March 4, 2025 spent most of its regular meeting reviewing a working draft of zoning changes to the CDD‑2 commercial corridor intended to encourage additional housing along Naugatuck Avenue, Bridgeport Avenue and other parts of U.S. 1.

The draft, prepared by the regulation subcommittee and staff, would allow existing single‑ and two‑family houses to become up to three dwelling units "as of right" if they comply with building‑code standards and provide required parking (the draft references parking standards in section 5.1). It would also create a middle tier of multifamily development between small conversions and large projects that now require two acres: new mixed‑use or multifamily buildings could be allowed on smaller lots with a proposed 5,000 square‑foot minimum for certain provisions and an optional affordability bonus to increase height, coverage and unit counts.

Why it matters: The commission framed the drafting work as an early step to increase housing options and support nearby retail without changing single‑family neighborhoods. The subcommittee and staff stressed the proposal is a working draft that would be revised and circulated to regional councils and the public before any public hearing.

Key provisions under discussion

- Conversions: Existing single‑family or two‑family homes could be converted to a maximum of three units within the existing structure, provided required parking is supplied and tandem parking is not counted toward the parking requirement.

- Ta…