A bill aimed at incentivizing towns and cities across 海角换妻 to create more affordable housing near bus and train stations is once again facing opposition from residents and some local leaders.
In hours of public hearing at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford, dozens of people spoke for or against the latest iteration of the 鈥淲ork Live Ride鈥� bill.
It offers financial incentives for municipalities that choose to establish Transit Oriented Communities (TOCs).
The bill would prioritize communities with TOCs for certain state funds and require the recently created Office of Responsible Growth to oversee the expansion of sewer and water systems for municipalities that choose to opt-in to TOCs, among other things.
State legislators and residents opposed to the bill are concerned about straining communities鈥� infrastructure and forcing overdevelopment.
Greenwich First Selectman Fred Camillo, a Republican, spoke against the bill and said the opt-in process is misleading.
鈥淥pt-in sounds really nice. Well, you could opt in if you want, if you don't, you know, no problem, no harm, no foul,鈥� Camillo said. 鈥淭hat's not true. It's semantics. That's not true at all. It's punitive and it's threatening.鈥�
Some opponents fear the bill will force overdevelopment of small towns and put strain on communities with limited or no public sewer and water systems.
The bill is intended to address the state鈥檚 urban sprawl and help towns create more affordable housing.
'Work Live Ride' is aimed at addressing 海角换妻鈥檚 housing crisis and designed to help communities, not hurt them, according to the Planning and Development Committee Chair, State Rep. Eleni Kavros DeGraw, a Democrat who represents Avon and Canton.
鈥淣ot to overrule, but to work with the towns to help them have the tools that they need that we keep hearing they don't have,鈥� Kavros DeGraw said. 鈥淚f only they had these tools, then they would absolutely build towards our nearly 100,000 unit housing crisis. That's where I think that there is a disconnect with quite a few people.鈥�
The first phase of 'Work, Live, Ride' was approved in 2023, establishing the state鈥檚 with the goal of coordinating 海角换妻鈥檚 housing revitalization efforts.
During last year鈥檚 short session, the bill passed in the state鈥檚 House of Representatives with 90 votes. It failed to be raised for a vote in the State Senate due to lengthy discussion and a late night filibuster
Emily Burnaman, a Norwalk resident and chair of the city鈥檚 bike/walk committee, spoke in favor of the bill. Burnaman said she enjoys Norwalk鈥檚 walkability, and wants other communities to benefit.
鈥淗aving access to multiple transportation options gives me affordability and flexibility, but I also see firsthand where we need improvements, better sidewalks, safer crossings and more protected bike infrastructure,鈥� Burnaman said.
The bill will have to be voted on by the Planning and Development Committee before moving to a vote by the entire State House and Senate.
