Rally Against 'Frightening' Zoning Proposals Held In Fairfield

FAIRFIELD, CT — A crowd of over 50 people gathered Saturday on Town Hall Green. Many brought homemade signs and one person even had a drum. Rock music played before a lineup of speakers took to the microphone.

The topic that brought this spirited crowd together? Potential changes to state zoning law.

“We’re fighting for the independence of our 169 municipalities throughout Connecticut,” said Alexis Harrison, who organized the event with advocacy group CT 169 Strong. “Local zoning decisions are best made in the hands of our communities.”

The numerous zoning bills have been a subject of heated debate in recent weeks. A state Planning and Development Committee hearing last month went on for 24 hours after 340 people signed up to speak. In the end, about 120 were heard.

Proposed zoning changes include new state-mandated affordable housing goals for municipalities based on affluence and assets, limitations on municipalities’ ability to have parking requirements in certain situations, and the removal of “character” as a zoning consideration.

First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick discussed the bills at length in a Friday email to residents and called them “fairly frightening” while speaking at Saturday’s rally, a sentiment shared by West Haven Planning and Zoning Commission member Steven Mullins.

“How would you like the Board of Alders in New Haven to manage the operations in Fairfield?” he asked. “It’s the same thing.”

In her email Friday, Kupchick argued Fairfield has already taken steps to ensure responsible zoning policies, such as its accessory apartment regulations and a rule requiring developments with 10 or more housing units to deed restrict 10 percent of the units below market rate.

“We want control over our own communities,” she said Saturday.

There was a partisan element to Saturday’s rally, with many of the signs on display criticizing Democrats.

“The Democratic leadership believes that the state knows better than local municipalities,” said state Sen. Tony Hwang, simultaneously calling for collaboration among neighbors, towns, and state and federal authorities.

Other speakers included state Rep. Laura Devlin, R-134; state Rep. Kimberly Fiorello, R-149, and Patrick Sasser of No Tolls CT.

Planning and Development Committee Chair state Rep. Cristin McCarthy Vahey, D-133, acknowledged the tension surrounding the zoning bills in a phone interview after Saturday’s rally.

“They’re difficult but important conversations,” she said. “I, along with so many others, want to retain the vibrant, amazing community that we have. … Some of these bills are about how we help put controls in place for planning.”

Fairfield resident Paula Gallo was motivated to attend the rally after a 20-unit affordable housing development was proposed abutting her home. The project was denied by Fairfield zoning officials last year, although Gallo said the decision is being contested in court.

“I never realized how dire the situation can be until it was right next door to me,” she said.

Several of the zoning bills have been voted out of committee and may be discussed by the General Assembly in the coming weeks or months.