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Brookfield commission opens public hearing on zoning text changes to implement Public Act 25-1; hearing continued to Aug. 27
Summary
The Planning & Zoning Commission opened a town-initiated public hearing on Z‑26‑50, a package of text amendments to comply with Special Session Public Act 25‑1 (summary review, middle housing, parking). Commissioners continued the hearing to Aug. 27 to refine language and consult the town attorney.
The Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission opened a public hearing on July 23 for Z‑26‑50, a town-initiated set of zoning text amendments intended to implement Special Session Public Act 25‑1. The proposed amendments revise definitions, residential and commercial use tables, site-plan procedures and parking standards and add a new "summary review" process tied to Connecticut General Statutes sections 8.2r and 8.2s.
The applicant described three main clusters of changes: a new summary-review pathway (narrow approvals that do not permit additional stipulations beyond standard conditions), definitions and permissions for "middle housing" (residential buildings of 2–9 units such as duplexes, triplexes, townhouses and cottage clusters) and consolidated parking regulations referencing a new table 6.2. The presenter said multifamily and middle housing will be permitted by site approval/summary review in the town's commercial zones, and that accessory-apartment footprint limits (800 sq ft) and minimum unit sizes will be governed by state building and health codes.
Commissioners asked clerical and drafting questions (citations with dashes vs. dots, placement of asterisks and cross-references to state definitions). The commission noted a local multifamily moratorium running through December and discussed where traffic mitigation zones will apply; under the proposed text, developments with 15 units or fewer outside a mitigation district may not be subject to on-site parking minimums. The Chair said staff would refine language and consult the town attorney.
Resident Steve Sullivan asked how density is calculated for middle housing and whether middle housing is allowed in residential zones; he was told the current proposal limits middle housing to commercial zones and that statutory definitions govern unit counting. After discussion, the commission voted to continue the public hearing to the Aug. 27 meeting to allow staff to tighten wording and provide legal review.
The commission did not take a final vote on Z‑26‑50 at this meeting; the hearing will resume on Aug. 27.
