The Southbury Planning Commission has formally adopted the municipality’s first affordable housing plan and submitted it to Connecticut’s Office of Policy and Management and the Department of Housing.
Work on the plan was overseen by the town’s Planning Commission, the staff of the Land Use Department and Cheshire-based consulting firm,
SLR International. The five-year plan looks toward future housing development that includes mixed-use commercial spaces, accessory dwelling units, and the creation of new, diverse housing options that align with Southbury’s intention to preserve the unique character and rural, country atmosphere.
“Working on this plan over the past six months was a productive exercise for our commission,” said Richard Teardo, Chair of Southbury’s Planning Commission.
“It allowed us to examine what we already offer to in our housing options, and strategic ways that we could provide more. It’s ongoing process.”
Community input was solicited along the way through a community survey in January, a virtual workshop in February, an information web page (www.southbury-ct.gov/affordablehousing) and finally, a two-week window for comments on the posted draft of the plan.
“The broad recommendations and strategies in this document are meant to help our community decide on the most appropriate solution to meet our affordable housing needs,” said Jeff Manville, First Selectman of Southbury.
“We are pleased that Southbury entrusted us to work with them on this Plan,” said Robert C. Collins, Principal with SLR Consulting, “and we look forward to continuing the work this year as we help the town update its Plan of Conservation and Development”.
To address the housing issue more broadly, Connecticut state statute required that all municipalities adopt an Affordable Housing Plan by June 1, 2022, specifying how they intend to increase the number of affordable housing developments. According to Connecticut’s Department of Housing, 82 municipalities submitted their affordable housing plans by the deadline.
“There is a need for more affordable, accessible, and appropriate housing options in each of our communities,” said Rick Dunne, Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments, Executive Director.
