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Advocates brief Torrington commission on "Work Live Ride" bill to encourage transit‑oriented districts
Summary
Desegregate Connecticut on Feb. 26 briefed the Torrington Planning and Zoning Commission on HB 6831 (Work Live Ride), a bill that would encourage locally defined transit‑oriented districts by offering technical assistance and funding prioritization.
A statewide advocacy group described a legislative proposal it says would prioritize transit‑oriented districts for technical assistance and state funding during the Feb. 26 Torrington Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.
Nick Kanter, director of Desegregate Connecticut (a program of the Regional Plan Association), briefed the commission on the Work Live Ride initiative and the associated bill he identified as HB 6831. Kanter said the proposal would allow municipalities to opt in and define local transit‑oriented districts, receive technical help and be prioritized for discretionary state infrastructure and housing funding through an expanded Office of Responsible Growth.
Kanter described three intended benefits: access to jobs ("work"), more and varied housing opportunities ("live"), and safer streets with reduced vehicle miles traveled ("ride"). He said the bill includes as‑of‑right components for small multifamily types — duplexes, triplexes, townhomes and modest clusters — and incentives for larger developments that include an affordable‑housing component.
Commissioners asked how Work Live Ride would interact with existing incentive housing zones and with Sustainable CT accreditation. Kanter said the legislation is intended to be flexible and that the Office of Responsible Growth would have a role in recognizing towns’ existing programs (including grandfathering) and providing guidance and technical assistance. He said the bill had passed the state House in 2024 but awaited a committee vote in the current legislative session.
The commission took no formal action; the presentation was informational and members asked staff to share contacts and testimony resources provided by the presenter.
