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CMDA outlines $115 million in housing funds, urges Avon zoning changes to spur development
Summary
At a May 14 Affordable Housing Task Force meeting, a representative of the Connecticut Municipal Development Authority said CMDA funding has risen to $115 million and urged Avon to identify sites and update zoning to attract residential redevelopment; the Task Force agreed to an in‑person site review tied to the town POCD update.
David Kooris, a representative of the Connecticut Municipal Development Authority, told Avon’s Affordable Housing Task Force on May 14 that CMDA’s funding has been increased to $115 million and that the authority can support local housing development with financing, infrastructure investment and technical assistance.
The presentation matters because CMDA funding and technical help could accelerate redevelopment of parcels near the Route 44/Route 10 intersection and the Avon Center (AVC) zone, officials said. Task Force members discussed specific parcels, zoning barriers and next steps tied to Avon’s planned update of the Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD).
Kooris said statutes allow CMDA funds to be used for housing development or redevelopment and for related infrastructure and planning work. He shared a map highlighting a half‑mile radius around the Route 44/Route 10 intersection that includes the AVC zone and said the area contains multiple potential development sites. “We have a broad mandate and funding has been increased to $115M,” he said.
Task Force Co‑Chair Christine Graesser and members flagged particular parcels for consideration. Kiley Gosselin said the former O’Neill’s Chevrolet parcel at 5 West Main and several small nearby lots could support small‑scale residential projects if rezoned. Graesser also identified the former Towpath School site on Route 10 as a potential location for townhouses if zoning were changed. Hiram Peck, Avon’s Director of Planning and Community Development, noted that the rear of 5 West Main touches the Beacon Communities site at 20 Security Drive and described a preliminary plan to extend Market Street to Ensign Drive, which could improve site access for redevelopment.
The Task Force focused on zoning as the principal barrier. In response to a question from Co‑Chair Mardelle Pena, Kooris said the most affordable types of housing are not permitted under Avon’s current Zoning Regulations and that the town must identify preferred locations, revise regulations to allow desired housing types and publicize those opportunities to developers. “The location(s) where the housing is wanted must be identified and then the Regulations modified to allow it,” he said.
Randall Bowers observed that the area behind Whole Foods is already zoned for residential, and Kooris agreed, adding that CMDA can provide technical and consultant support for district certification or more detailed planning tied to the POCD update. Gosselin also raised local models such as land trusts, noting that some towns use trusts or gifted municipal land to preserve affordability; Kooris said he has rarely seen private nonprofits solely dedicated to affordable housing.
The Task Force agreed to meet in person at its next meeting to review maps and identified sites, to work on possible zoning language changes, and to invite Pete Harrison of the Regional Plan Association for technical input. Graesser said public hearings and resident education about affordable housing will be part of the POCD discussion, and Peck recommended identifying infrastructure needs while parcel work proceeds. CMDA representative Kooris left the meeting at about 7:45 p.m.; the session adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Next steps: the Task Force will reconvene in person to review maps and draft zoning language as part of Avon’s POCD update and to seek technical support from CMDA and the Regional Plan Association.
