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Middletown staff outline next steps on state zoning law (PA 25-1) and ask commission for guidance
Summary
Staff told the commission that Public Act 25-1 requires some immediate zoning-code changes and later housing-growth planning; the director asked whether the city should opt into the regional plan or pursue its own plan and offered to prepare an outline and presentation.
Mary Kosikowski, Middletown’s director of land use, briefed the Planning & Zoning Commission on state Public Act 25-1 and its implications for the town’s zoning code and housing planning.
Kosikowski said PA 25-1 creates two work streams: near-term zoning changes that the commission must address and a subsequent housing-growth planning process. She told commissioners she could prepare either a brief presentation outlining the immediate code changes or a more detailed timeline and recommended next steps for the larger housing plan. "So, you know, that's falling in line with what this commission has done before," Kosikowski said, adding that staff will work collaboratively with RiverCOG and other regional partners.
Commissioner Elizabeth Emery said she wanted a short written outline listing the zoning code changes to review, followed later by a deeper presentation on the housing development plan and a suggested timeline; she also asked whether Middletown intends to opt into the regional planning option or prepare its own plan. Kosikowski said no decision has been made and emphasized RiverCOG's intent to collaborate with municipalities.
Kosikowski asked the commission for guidance on the level of detail they preferred and offered to return with a clear list of required code edits and a schedule for the housing-plan process. The commission asked staff to prepare an initial outline and to propose a timeline for subsequent meetings.
Next steps: staff will prepare a written outline of the zoning-code changes required under PA 25-1 and a proposed timeline for housing-growth planning; commissioners will review and decide whether to pursue a regional option or a standalone municipal plan.
