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Scotland planning commission discusses housing, zoning rewrite and blight ordinance changes
Summary
Commissioners heard from the school superintendent about low enrollment tied to housing availability, scheduled monthly zoning revision meetings starting Aug. 25, 2025, and were told lawyers recommended removing item #12 from the town’s blight ordinance; an ice-cream-truck request was declined due to a food-truck ban.
Valerie Bruneau, Scotland Elementary School Superintendent, told the Planning & Zoning Commission on July 28 that the district is averaging about 11 students per class and would need roughly 10 additional students per class before hiring an additional teacher. Bruneau asked the commission for ideas to encourage younger families to move to Scotland; commissioners said high construction and housing costs, taxes and a shortage of recently available subdivision land (the last subdivision was more than 10 years ago) are barriers.
Commissioners said affordable housing, if pursued, might create opportunities to increase school enrollment. The Affordable Housing subcommittee had no new report; First Selectman D. Barrow Jr. provided information on unspecified bill changes related to housing.
On regulatory work, J. Jakubowski announced an initial zoning-regulation revision meeting set for Aug. 25, 2025, and monthly meetings thereafter with a goal of a public hearing on new zoning regulations in December 2025 or January 2026.
Under old business, D. Barrow Jr. reported that town counsel returned the blight ordinance and recommended removing item #12; he said the item will be removed. During audience comments a resident requested an ice cream truck at green concerts; I. Kisluk said the town ordinance prohibits food trucks.
Administrative reports included an enforcement update (I. Kisluk said she would provide details next month on two proposed violations) and an education note about a YIMBY conference in New Haven in October with a $60 registration fee. The meeting adjourned at 8:19 p.m. on a motion by R. Manning, seconded by R. Brautigam; motion carried.
Why it matters: school enrollment and housing availability affect town services and the local tax base; the upcoming zoning rewrite is the commission’s primary vehicle to address housing supply over the coming months.
