Governor Lamont Vetoes CT Housing Bill HB5002
You may have heard about Connecticut’s controversial housing bill, HB5002 — a sweeping proposal aimed at increasing the state’s affordable housing supply by reshaping zoning laws and encouraging denser development near transit hubs. The bill passed both the House and Senate in late May, but on June 23, Governor Ned Lamont vetoed it, citing concerns over the state overriding local control. The legislation would have required each municipality to accept a “fair share” of affordable housing, while limiting a town’s ability to restrict multi-unit buildings or enforce minimum parking mandates.
While the intent behind HB5002 — to address Connecticut’s housing shortage — is broadly recognized, the North Stamford Association supports Governor Lamont’s decision to veto the bill. We believe that meaningful, sustainable change must respect the unique character of each community. In our case, preserving the quality of life in North Stamford means advocating for thoughtful, locally guided development — not top-down mandates that could irreversibly alter our neighborhood’s scale and infrastructure. While not all of our members may share the same perspective, we continue to hear from many residents who value maintaining our area’s low-density, green character.
This issue also echoes a broader conversation happening throughout Stamford. As development increases in the downtown core, many in North Stamford are concerned about being lumped into one-size-fits-all zoning strategies that may work for city neighborhoods but not for our distinct, semi-rural setting. The NSA will continue to monitor future versions of this legislation and speak up when local input is at risk of being sidelined.
Here is coverage from The Stamford Advocate.