Tag Archives: Connecticut State Senate

Reapportionment Alters Westport’s State Representation

Connecticut’s General Assembly will have a different look after the next election.

Redistricting takes place every 10 years, based on census data and population shifts.

Unlike many states, Connecticut’s reapportionment is done by a panel of 2 Democrats and 2 Republicans. If they can’t agree, a 5th objective member is added. This year, that was unneeded.

Current plans — which will be finalized soon — change district lines for the 2 state senators and 2 representatives who now serve parts of Westport.

Senator Will Haskell’s 26th District currently runs far north. He’ll lose Bethel, but gain a slice of Stamford, connected by a bit of Darien and New Canaan.

The borders of State Representative Jonathan Steinberg’s 136th District have shifted slightly, though it continues to include only Westport. He’s lost some voters in the western part of town. His district still runs all the way to the Fairfield town line.

State Representative Stephanie Thomas’ Norwalk-based 143rd District has changed significantly. She gained some additional voters in Westport and a large number of new voters in Norwalk. They replace Wilton, which has become an entirely new district.

State Senator Tony Hwang’s 28th District has been pushed north, into Bethel. He’ll lose the Greens Farms section of Westport he now represents.

But, Hwang says, “I’ve worked with Jim Marpe, Jen Tooker and Andrea Moore, on projects like Coleytown Middle School and bridge repairs. I’ll always advocate for Westport. Please give my thanks to the terrific people of Westport I’ve been able to represent.”

(For more in-depth information on redistricting, click here, here, here and here. Hat tip: Peter Gold.)

 

States Passes Zoning Reform

Yesterday, the Connecticut Senate passed HB 6107 — the same zoning bill passed previously by the state House. Click here for the full text.

As noted by Planning & Zoning Commission chair Danielle Dobin on “06880” last week, the bill contains language specifically requiring towns to consider the impact of development on the Long Island Sound. This provides additional protection against overdevelopment in Saugatuck and around Main Street.

The bill also contains language requiring towns to permit a diversity of housing types, which Westport already does in our zoning code. This will have a real impact in towns across Connecticut that still don’t allow anything other than single family homes.

Westport has added diverse housing in areas like 793 Post Road East. Homes are set back from the Post Road, between residential and retail areas.

The bill creates a blue ribbon commission to look at affordable housing and zoning that’s mostly made up of legislators and various state level commissioners (e.g., Housing, DEEP, Transportation, etc.), as well as representatives from the COGs. This may lead to a revision of 8-30g, the controversial “affordable housing” regulation.

One important provision of the bill exempts new accessory dwelling units and accessory apartments from counting as part of overall dwelling units for 8-30(g). This means that permitting ADUs won’t count against Westport’s compliance with the statute.

The bill requires towns to permit ADUs but also provides an opt-out mechanism for towns where these units aren’t the right fit for infrastructure, soils, etc. Westport also permits ADUs in every single family zone, so this provision will not impact us.

The bill limits parking requirements to 1 space/studio or one-bedroom or 2 spaces/2-bedroom or above but provides an opt-out.

There’s a requirement for 4 hours of commissioner training per year. There’s no draconian penalty for non-compliance.

State Senator Will Haskell calls this “a very modest bill aimed at increasing housing supply in our state.” He praises the work of P&Z commissions in his district, for working together, adding that the legislation “does not infringe on local control, but instead empowers local commissioners to create more housing diversity without altering the look of their community.”

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In other P&Z news, last night Westport’s unanimously approved a new façade and site plan for the old Barnes & Noble building.

The new tenant — who will also occupy the adjacent Marshall’s Shoe Store space — is an as-yet-unnamed grocery store. It’s widely believed around town to be Amazon Go. featuring automated technology.

Coming soon: a new facade — and tenant.

 

Westport Votes Blue; 2 Democrats Win

Westport backed all 4 Democratic candidates in yesterday’s state Senate and House races. That helped deliver 2 of those districts to the Democratic Party.

Will Haskell

In a race that drew statewide — even national — attention, 22-year-old Staples High School graduate Will Haskell thrashed longtime incumbent Toni Boucher, for the State Senate 26th district seat.

Haskell’s 64-36% winning margin — against a politician who was in office as long as he’d been alive — was helped by a strong base of active volunteers. The recent Georgetown University graduate galvanized many young voters, and women.

Staples grad Jonathan Steinberg returns to Hartford, representing House district 136. He beat back a challenge from Republican Greg Kraut, a newcomer to politics and a 2-year Westporter. The unofficial margin was 61-39%.

In races that involved small portions of Westport, Republican incumbents Tony Hwang (State Senate district 28) and Gail Lavielle (State House district 143) retained their seats. However, both lost Westport to their Democratic challengers, Michelle Lapine McCabe and Stephanie Thomas, respectively.