Commission briefs members on state housing Bill 8002 and options for traffic mitigation overlay
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Summary
Town planner briefed the commission on Connecticut House Bill 8002, emphasizing July 1 zoning deadlines for traffic mitigation zones that permit the town to require parking for residential projects under 16 units inside overlays. Staff recommended the commission consider adopting one 4% overlay covering downtown; commissioners asked staff to evaluate adding a second overlay tied to the sewer district.
Town planner Sarah updated the Planning and Zoning Commission on state House Bill 8002 and its implications for New Canaan’s zoning on Jan. 27.
Under the new state law, municipalities that want to retain the ability to require parking for residential developments of fewer than 16 units must adopt traffic mitigation (overlay) zones by July 1. Each municipality may adopt up to two mitigation zones, each covering no more than 4% of the town’s land area. Sarah said the town’s downtown commercial, apartment and multifamily zones—excluding cemeteries and town-owned parcels—appear to fit within a single 4% overlay based on an initial GIS tally. She said the zoning update will also require allowing mixed-use development as a matter of right in commercial zones and converting certain special-permit reviews to site-plan-level review.
Commissioners discussed whether to limit an overlay to the downtown or to include a broader sewer district area; staff noted a second overlay could be considered and that the town has a moratorium to 2028. Members asked staff to analyze sewer-area boundaries and potential sensitive parcels; staff said the zoning subcommittee and consultant are preparing regulatory text and maps for commission review in coming months, with adoption targeted for spring 2026.
No formal vote was taken; the briefing was informational and staff will return with maps and draft text for public exposure prior to any adoption vote.
