Consultant outlines zoning revisions Shelton must adopt to comply with Connecticut Public Act 25‑1

BFJ Planning senior planner Suzanne Goldberg told the Shelton Planning and Zoning Commission on July 22 that the firm will lead a three‑phase effort to bring the city’s zoning regulations and maps into compliance with Connecticut Public Act 25‑1, which took effect July 1, 2026. Goldberg said the consultant team will review the existing code and map in July–August, draft redlined text and proposed map changes in August, and prepare final text and a commission resolution for possible adoption in the fall.

Goldberg said the law requires towns to allow "middle housing"—two to nine dwelling units or mixed‑use development—on any lot that already allows commercial or mixed‑use development through a summary‑review process that limits discretionary zoning decisions. "So zoning regulations in Connecticut are required to allow for the development of middle housing, meaning 2 to 9 units," Goldberg said. She added that determinations under summary review are limited to conformance with dimensional and safety provisions, and denial is allowed only if there is a substantial health or safety impact.

Goldberg also summarized changes to off‑street parking: developments with fewer than 16 units generally cannot be required to provide minimum parking unless they are located in a city‑designated conservation and traffic mitigation district (the act allows up to two such districts, each limited to no more than 4% of the city's land area). She noted a citywide cap on parking ratios and that applicants may submit parking needs assessments under the statute to justify lower requirements. Goldberg said BFJ will work with city staff and legal counsel and present redlines and map GIS files at future public hearings.