Commission sets focus‑group workshop dates for zoning rewrite, pushes survey outreach

Commissioners set a date for a focus‑group workshop and discussed ways to expand public engagement for the zoning‑regulation rewrite.

Staff asked commissioners to pick dates for a workshop that will gather representatives from other boards and commissions to review public comments and help translate them into draft regulation language; commissioners agreed to aim for a two‑hour evening session (6:30–8:30 p.m.) in late June and to schedule additional housing‑focused outreach in late July. Staff reported more than 200 survey responses so far but urged a stronger push to reach residents who are not regular land‑use participants.

Why it matters: The zoning rewrite is intended to collect public input and convert that feedback into proposed regulatory changes. Commissioners argued the focus groups should include non‑board residents and that town staff should broaden distribution beyond the town website—through neighborhood associations, beach association email lists, the town newsletter, local papers and boosted social posts—to get a representative sample.

Outreach details: Commissioners recommended posting print flyers at high‑traffic sites (including the beach‑pass pickup location), pinning the survey to the town Facebook page, asking board chairs to share with their commissions, and considering modest paid ads in local outlets if the cost is reasonable. Staff said there may be modest budget capacity for small ad buys and pledged to investigate costs and next steps.

RiverCOG update: Separately, a RiverCOG representative briefed the commission on an ongoing regional housing‑needs assessment that will produce a 10‑year affordable‑housing target. Old Lyme was described as showing relatively stable growth with a small increase in household size; commissioners discussed how seasonal vacancies and sewer infrastructure affect allocation and planning.