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Connecticut COGs propose regional housing planning approach as state lawmakers rework 5002
Summary
Cogs across Connecticut proposed a regional approach to housing needs assessments and implementation plans aimed to replace some requirements in the vetoed bill 5002; Northwest Hills COG members discussed the approach and asked staff to circulate materials and gather local feedback.
Matt Fulda (executive director, Metro COG) joined the Northwest Hills Council of Governments to summarize a multiregional proposal created by Connecticut COG directors and shared with municipal associations following the June veto of Public Act 5002.
"Our thought was... to come up with kind of a regional housing needs assessment," Fulda said. The proposed model pairs an overarching regional housing plan with municipal "chapters" for each town, similar in structure to multi-jurisdiction FEMA hazard-mitigation plans: a regional analysis plus town-level goals, implementation steps and potential prioritized sites.
Why the proposal: COG directors said housing is a regional market and that a regional approach could be more practical than imposing additional stand-alone municipal requirements. Fulda and Rob (executive director) said they have discussed the concept with the governor's office and with legislative leadership and that negotiations on revised housing legislation are ongoing.
Members flagged local constraints: small, watershed-dominated towns have very limited developable land and members questioned one-size-fits-all mandates. Rob said the COGs are advocating for state funding that supports infrastructure (water, sewer, transportation) needed to make responsible housing investments possible, rather than redirecting existing critical funds.
Next steps: Rob will circulate the full presentation and a short reference guide to members. A housing summit is scheduled Sept. 29 in Sharon; members were encouraged to attend and to provide feedback to the COGs and to their legislative delegations as the state drafting process continues.
No legislative text was adopted by the council; Matt Fulda and other COG directors continue to engage with state leaders as negotiations proceed.
