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Town planning update: planner departing, state middle-housing law takes effect; EDC to monitor POCD priorities
Summary
Planning staff notified the commission that Town Planner Paul will leave next week, the job posting is live and the state’s middle-housing changes effective July 1 could allow 2–9 unit housing in some commercial zones; commissioners agreed to add POCD review as a recurring agenda item.
Planning staff gave the commission several operational and policy updates: the town planner will depart next week, the job posting is live and staff anticipate an acting role in the short term; and a state middle-housing law that took effect July 1 requires the town to allow certain 2–9 unit housing types in qualifying commercial areas.
The planner said Newington’s regulations were adjusted to comply with the state requirement and that while the town is in Safe Harbor for 8-30g affordable-housing applications (meaning the town currently exceeds the 10% threshold), the town will monitor how the state’s implementation plays out.
Commissioners discussed redevelopment opportunities, noting the town center and a Hartford Hospital property as potential sites that could be repurposed for taxable uses if appropriate projects are advanced. Commissioners also agreed to add a recurring Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) review item to future agendas so the commission can track progress against the plan’s strategies and opportunity areas.
Staff said they will keep the commission informed about timing for state funding opportunities and next steps for any text-amendment or special-permit pathways developers might pursue.
