Act Now: Protect Local Zoning Control in Stamford!

Dear North Stamford Neighbors,
We need your help to protect our local zoning authority! Earlier this week, the Connecticut General Assembly voted to pass HB 5002, a bill that threatens to strip local communities of their ability to make zoning decisions. The bill, which was introduced at the last minute, bypassed a transparent process and has now moved to the State Senate for final approval.
The Connecticut General Assembly pushed this bill through quickly, with little notice and no opportunity for meaningful public input. This last-minute maneuver is concerning, as it leaves us with little time to voice our opposition before a critical Senate vote.
Why is this important for North Stamford?
- State control: This bill would transfer local zoning decisions from our town and place them under state control, regardless of our community’s unique needs.
- Imposed housing quotas: The bill could require towns to add hundreds or even thousands of affordable housing units, without consideration for local infrastructure or the character of our neighborhoods.
- One-size-fits-all mandates: Provisions like “as of right” apartment development in commercial zones, elimination of parking requirements, and mandatory Fair Rent Commissions would disrupt established neighborhoods and property values.
- Costly litigation: The Attorney General would have new powers to sue towns over zoning decisions deemed discriminatory, leading to expensive lawsuits and potential financial burdens for taxpayers.
- Undermining local input: The speed at which this bill is moving—introduced under a placeholder bill with little prior notice—undermines the transparency and public trust in the legislative process.
This is not just a zoning issue — it’s a matter of preserving our community’s autonomy and local governance. With these mandates, we lose the ability to make decisions that best serve North Stamford. Whether it’s deciding on housing development or managing local infrastructure, these decisions should be made at the local level, not dictated by Hartford.
Tell Them To Vote No To Stop The State Takeover Of Local Zoning
Call to Action:
- Contact your State Senators (contact info below) immediately to urge them to VOTE NO on HB 5002.
- Tell them this bill undermines local zoning decisions, creates unnecessary strain on our infrastructure, and ignores the unique character of our town. We have included a few email templates below that you can use.
Contact Information for North Stamford Senators:
- Patricia Billie Miller (D)
Email: miller@senatedems.ct.gov
Phone: (860) 240-0589 - Ryan Fazio (R)
Email: ryan.fazio@cga.ct.gov
Phone: (860) 240-0567
Email Templates:
Subject: Vote NO on HB 5002 – Protect Local Zoning!
Dear Senator [Last Name],
I am writing to urge you to vote NO on HB 5002. This bill undermines our local zoning control by allowing the state to impose mandates that don’t consider the unique needs of North Stamford. Local decisions should remain in the hands of our community, not Hartford.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
Subject: Protect Local Zoning – Vote NO on HB 5002
Dear Senator [Last Name],
I am deeply concerned about HB 5002, a bill that has been rushed through the Connecticut General Assembly and is now headed to the State Senate. This bill would strip towns like North Stamford of the ability to make zoning decisions that reflect the needs of our communities.
If passed, it could force towns to add hundreds or thousands of affordable units, mandate development in commercial zones, eliminate parking requirements, and potentially lead to costly lawsuits.
Please vote NO on HB 5002. Our community deserves to make local decisions about development, not have them imposed by the state.
Thank you,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
Subject: Vote NO on HB 5002 – Protect Our Local Zoning Authority
Dear Senator [Last Name],
I am writing to express my strong opposition to HB 5002, a bill that has recently passed the Connecticut General Assembly and is now set to be voted on in the State Senate. This bill, which was introduced last minute under a placeholder bill, would severely limit our town’s ability to make zoning decisions that are appropriate for North Stamford.
This legislation includes statewide mandates for affordable housing quotas, “as of right” apartment development in commercial zones, and the elimination of parking requirements—without regard for the impact on our infrastructure or the character of our neighborhoods.
Additionally, the bill introduces provisions that would allow the Attorney General to sue municipalities over zoning decisions deemed discriminatory, which could lead to costly litigation for towns like Stamford.
Please vote NO on HB 5002. This bill disregards the unique needs of North Stamford and undermines local governance. We need to maintain local control over our zoning and development decisions, which are crucial for preserving the character and infrastructure of our community.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]