The Greenwich-small-town-killing affordable housing bill is back

It's back. The Affordable Housing bill that Governor Lamont (D) rightfully vetoed a few months ago has been re-issued and is about to be voted on in a special session in Hartford. The politicians say it's a scaled back version of the hated HB5002, a compromise bill, and a bipartisan effort. Don't believe any of that.

It incentivizes dense, as-of-right multifamily and middle housing in commercial zones and near transit (think Greenwich, Cos Cob, Riverside, Old Greenwich train stations). It still allows multi-unit developments without parking requirements - good luck finding a parking space. It ignores flooding, sewer needs, narrow roads and school capacity. It's the most significant override of local zoning control in CT state history. The bill sets up state agencies to oversee and enforce land use rules, effectively turning our local zoning boards into irrelevant bureaucrats.

Our State Senator Ryan Fazio (R), who represents Greenwich, is speaking out against this bill here. Our State Rep Tina Courpas (R), who covers Northwest Greenwich, is actively in the fight here.

State Rep Hector Arzeno (D), who represents Northeast Greenwich and Cos Cob/Mianus, had nothing to say on his feed here. Steve Meskers (D), who represents the harbor areas of Byram, Greenwich, Riverside and Old Greenwich, also had nothing to say on his feed here. While Meskers voted against it and it looks like Arzeno was absent, the bill ultimately passed by the Democrat majority in the Assembly last night. Our local politicians cannot get away with being silent and avoiding alerting their constituents on this.

Between the Lines: Greenwich residents must flood the Governor's office and our legislators with complaints. Here is an easy link to do this.

Story here