Jericho housing committee withdraws setback recommendation, shifts focus to rezoning and smaller‑lot housing options

The Town of Jericho Affordable Housing Committee debated whether to recommend removing existing maximum front setback requirements in village centers but ultimately withdrew a formal recommendation and explored alternative approaches to increase housing supply.

Chuck Lacy urged changing setback rules—noting Jericho’s current maximum front setbacks (reported in discussion as 30 feet on Route 15 and 20 feet on other roads)—and compared local rules with nearby towns such as Richmond, Waterbury and Bristol. He argued that the current rules can limit village center infill. Friederike Keating questioned the connection to affordable housing and warned that houses close to a main road may have lower resale value; SJ Dube said mandating setback changes is not an obvious housing committee priority and questioned whether it was urgent. Eric Glitman noted that large amounts of road frontage are zoned low‑density or agricultural and suggested rezoning those areas and permitting smaller lot sizes to enable more housing.

Rather than pursue an immediate setback recommendation, members discussed other policy levers: rezoning agricultural frontage near major roads to allow smaller lot sizes, permitting small dwellings (committee discussion cited an example threshold of roughly 1,200 square feet) within planned unit developments, and enabling townhouses, condominiums, or mobile home parks as targeted infill strategies. The committee considered coordinating with the Planning Commission, including the possibility of a joint meeting or presenting to the PC while it prepares materials for a public hearing.

No formal motion to change zoning was recorded at this meeting; the committee directed members to monitor Planning Commission materials and consider presenting or coordinating timing to influence PC deliberations.