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Old Saybrook adopts mixed-use middle housing rules and creates two parking management districts
Summary
The zoning commission approved a multi-part package to implement PA 25-1: new mixed-use middle housing regulations, deed-restricted affordability requirements, and two Parking Management Districts covering downtown corridors. Edits were made to wording on deed-restriction language and odd-unit allocation; effective date set for June 29, 2026.
Old Saybrook’s Zoning Commission voted on June 1 to amend local regulations to implement changes required by PA 25-1 and to adopt a map amendment creating two Parking Management Districts (PMDs).
Staff summarized the package as a combination of regulation and map changes to permit mixed-use middle housing (two–nine units) by summary review and to allow larger mixed-use proposals via special exception. The new section sets affordability requirements (a 60/40 mix of income bands and 30% deed-restricted units in certain scales), creates a parking-needs assessment requirement, and establishes two contiguous PMDs—one to the west (~314 acres) and one to the east (~383 acres)—intended to preserve public and on-street parking for commercial uses and allow tailored parking requirements in those districts.
"This regulation is to address PA 25-1 and to have a regulation in effect by July 1," staff said, adding the commission had sought to preserve downtown commercial parking for businesses while enabling housing conversions where appropriate. Commissioners made minor textual edits (adding the word "deed" before "restricted" and clarifying how odd-unit mixes are allocated). The commission voted to approve the regulation and map amendments and set an effective date of June 29, 2026.
The changes aim to allow more housing choices near the train station and Main Street while giving the town tools to manage parking impacts in concentrated commercial corridors. Staff and commissioners said the town will monitor implementation and the state referrals that accompanied the docket.
