Sharon adopts Incentive Housing Zones plan

SHARON — In a special meeting on Monday, Nov. 29, the Planning and Zoning Commission voted to create the proposed Incentive Housing Zones.

The zones will give the town control of affordable housing developments planned in the town, rather than letting them be in the control of private development companies.

The meeting consisted of two parts: a public hearing in which Sharon residents could ask questions, express their concerns, or speak in favor of the zoning change; and the regular meeting, in which the commission voted on whether or not to adopt the zones.

Jocelyn Ayer of the Northwestern Connecticut Planning Collaborative spoke to approximately a dozen attendees at the start of the meeting and explained the specifics of the proposal.

“The Sharon Town Plan identified the need for more affordable housing options,� she said.

Sharon had been awarded a study grant, which was used to identify locations in the town that would be appropriate for Incentive Housing Zones, and which would meet requirements about population density, for example, and the impact on the town’s sewer system.

The target income level for possible residents of a future project was discussed. Any developments in an Incentive Housing Zone would have to be affordable for families and individuals with an income of less than $67,000 a year.

Barclay Prindle, who is the chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission, said that this type of zoning is designed for people such as schoolteachers. “We understand that many of our teachers have to live in New York State,� he said.

The two Incentive Housing Zones that were created on Monday are locations at the Sharon Ridge development, where there is room for 12 additional affordable housing units; and at 110 Upper Main St., which is currently for sale and has four buildings.

Neighbors to the proposed locations expressed concern that current town zoning laws would be modified for the Incentive Housing Zones, but Prindle assured them that the current regulations regarding setbacks of developments from neighboring property, as well as drainage and wetlands regulations, would remain unchanged.

Jessica Fowler, an alternate member of the Planning and Zoning Commission, posed a question to Ayer regarding how the proposal would protect the town.

Ayer responded that there are two benefits to the new zones. First, it would help the town get closer to the state-mandated level of 10 percent affordable housing within the town. Second, it would give the town control over the location, size and appearance of the developments.

Now that the town has created the Incentive Housing Zones, it is eligible for a $76,000 state grant that would go into the town’s general fund.

Fowler stated toward the end of the meeting that, “We have been discussing this for over a year and working on it with Jocelyn. I think all of us are very on board with this.�

Ayer said she believes Sharon is now the first town in Connecticut to use zoning of this sort.

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