RiverCOG flags state housing bills and a by-right industrial-to-residential proposal as matters to watch
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Summary
RiverCOG staff told the regional committee they are tracking roughly 100 bills, including measures on solar permitting, affordability calculations, transit funding and a controversial bill that would allow by-right residential development in many industrial districts; members expressed concern about preserving limited industrial land.
RiverCOG staff briefed the committee on state legislation the agency is tracking and urged members to engage with legislators where appropriate.
Susie Beckman said RiverCOG has submitted about 31 written testimony letters and monitored roughly 100 bills this session. "We're following just about a 100 bills and have written testimony," she said, citing items on solar permitting (Governor bill 5036), a task force on calculating affordability (HB 5369), pesticide reporting (HB 5155), and local representation on the Connecticut Siting Council (SB 144).
Sam Gold highlighted one bill that has drawn particular concern among RiverCOG members: a committee-passed proposal that would allow by-right residential development on qualifying industrial parcels near transit or major highways. "I think it's intended, to be, a way of preventing towns from rezoning commercial, industrial... but I think it's a terrible bill," Gold said, warning that the region has limited land reserved for industrial use and that forcing residential uses into those areas could create compatibility problems (noise, truck traffic, odors) and reduce available space for employers.
Members also debated a bill that would give special development rights to religious organizations. Debbie Langdon and Raul raised questions about tax implications, lack of density or height limits and the potential for abuse if entities claim religious-organization status to obtain permissive zoning. "There is no density or height. The municipality cannot impose any density or height restrictions on the religious organization it wants to develop," Sam Gold said of the bill’s draft language, adding that it "uniquely gives these rights only to religious organizations."
Several members recommended targeted advocacy: one member suggested that RiverCOG staff flag a short list of priority bills and provide members with suggested language for contacting legislators. Sam and Susie said staff would continue to post analyses to their bill tracker and can provide talking points for members who wish to reach out to state legislators.
What’s next: RiverCOG will keep tracking the bills and share priority items and suggested messaging with member municipalities so local officials can communicate with their legislators before the measures reach a floor vote.
