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Danbury council approves fee, water/sewer connection and building-permit ordinance changes after public comment
Summary
The council approved updates to sewer connection permit rules (sec. 48-168), water connection charges (sec. 40-876) and an update to building permit fees (sec. 6-21). A resident/developer urged the council to consider market conditions and the impact of connection fees on affordable housing and nonprofits.
The Danbury City Council on June 21 adopted a package of ordinance amendments affecting connection fees and permit charges, and approved an update to building permit fees that city staff said had not been substantively changed in about 30 years.
At the start of the meeting, developer and resident Robert Botello told the council that Connecticut faces permitting and housing shortages and urged the city to consider competitive fee structures and an ad-hoc group that would include builders to help attract development. "Connecticut ranks 40th nationally as far as permitting," Botello said during his public comment and argued that commercial rates applied to nonprofits and churches (a roughly 60% premium, he said) should be re-examined.
On Item 1 the council considered changes to ordinance section 48-168 (sewer connection permits required, fees, refunds and penalty provisions). Councilman Giordano moved to receive the communication and adopt the committee recommendation; corporation counsel clarified that the penalties referenced apply to fee violations (not unrelated criminal matters). The motion passed after a voice vote in which two council members recorded opposition.
On Item 2 the council considered changes to section 40-876 (water connection charges). Kenton Higgins, the city's Assistant Superintendent of Public Utilities (filling in for the superintendent), said Danbury's water rates are "below average" compared with other Connecticut municipalities; council members said modest increases would keep Danbury competitive while supporting city services. The council adopted the changes; the meeting recorded two opposed votes for this item as well.
On Item 4 the council heard a presentation from James Schullery, Danbury's building official, who compared Danbury's existing permit fees with those charged in New Britain, Norwalk, Waterbury and other municipalities. Schullery said Danbury's fees were "relatively lower" than many comparable cities and that the proposed updates would bring the city more in line with peers. The ordinance amendment to section 6-21 passed, with two council members recorded as opposed.
Votes at a glance: - Sewer connection permits, fees and penalties (sec. 48-168): motion passed (ayes prevailed; two opposed recorded). - Water connection charges (sec. 40-876): ordinance adopted (two opposed recorded). - Building permit fee amendments (sec. 6-21): ordinance adopted (two opposed recorded).
What happens next: staff will finalize fee schedules and publish the ordinance language; council asked departments to provide follow-up details as needed and to monitor the market effects of the changes.
