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Stratford council approves ordinance to exempt town‑owned property from zoning, after public outcry and amendments
Summary
After extensive public comment expressing concern that an exemption would remove public oversight, the Stratford Town Council adopted an amended ordinance narrowing an exemption for municipally owned property and adding procedural safeguards and exceptions.
The Stratford Town Council adopted an amended ordinance June 8 that exempts property owned by the town from local zoning rules under Connecticut General Statute 8‑2e, but narrows the exemption and adds exceptions after residents pressed for safeguards.
Carrie Whidham, a Stratford resident who spoke during the public forum, urged the council to reject a broad exemption. "Because town‑owned properties can have the same impact as private development, the town should absolutely be subject to the same regulations," she said, arguing zoning protects public safety, stormwater, traffic and school enrollment.
Council members amended the proposed ordinance to read that the town may exempt property owned by the Town of Stratford but that the exemption does not apply to properties with a contract purchaser to develop municipally owned property or to property for which the town is a contract purchaser. The amendment also said "commercial" should not include museums, libraries, art centers or community centers. The council adopted the amendment and then adopted the ordinance by roll call.
Supporters of the exemption said it allows the town greater flexibility for public projects that may be time‑sensitive or serve municipal functions. Opponents, including Alvin O'Neal and other public speakers, warned the change could be used to bypass normal public notice, hearings and planning‑commission review and urged explicit safeguards such as notice to affected neighborhoods and a requirement for planning‑commission review before relying on the exemption.
Councilors who supported the amendment said the revised text addresses many of those concerns by narrowing the scope and preserving council oversight where properties are under contract for private development. The council made the change on the record to ensure the exemption would apply narrowly to property owned by the town, not to all municipally‑related parcels in town.
The ordinance debate followed a public forum during which multiple residents raised related questions about transparency and municipal accountability. The council’s action is final unless subject to further legal or administrative challenge. The town attorney noted the amendment language was drafted to align with Conn. Gen. Stat. §8‑2e.
The council closed the public forum, moved into its regular meeting, and handled routine business afterward. Officials said they will provide additional guidance to staff and the public about how the exemption will be used and the internal review that will accompany any exercise of the ordinance.
