New London announces multi-stage zoning-code rewrite, public input to be solicited

City Administrator Chad Worth told the council on April 9 that New London will begin a multi-stage rewrite of the city’s zoning code.

Worth said the process will be substantial and that consultants will prepare a draft of the proposed zoning code. "At some point in the process, probably early next year, consultants will be having an open house for the public to provide input on the draft version of the newly proposed zoning code," Worth said, and he invited residents to forward ideas to city staff before the consultant-led outreach begins.

The city administrator framed the early outreach as an opportunity to shape the front end of the rewrite: staff will consider resident ideas as they develop the draft. No regulatory changes or specific zoning proposals were presented at the council meeting; Worth described the announcement as the start of a planning and public-engagement process.

Why it matters: a comprehensive zoning-code rewrite can change how land is used, where housing and businesses are allowed, and how development is regulated; early public input can influence which issues the city prioritizes in the draft code.

Next steps: city staff will coordinate the rewrite with consultants and notify the public about the open-house schedule and draft materials once they are available.