Commission reviews statutory land‑use changes on middle housing, parking and waterfront rules

Town planning staff told commissioners that several recent state public acts require local code changes that take effect July 1 and that the commission should prepare minimal amendments to remain compliant.

Key changes summarized by staff include:
• "Transit middle" housing: State law defines transit‑middle housing as two to nine units and allows summary review (site plan approval without a public hearing) in commercial and mixed‑use zones. Groton’s regulations currently allow three‑plus units in those zones; the town must adjust to permit duplexes and other two‑unit forms in applicable zones.
• Working waterfront: The statute potentially brings the Working Waterfront (Willow Point) into the definition of commercial/mixed‑use where two‑to‑nine‑unit development would be allowed. Commissioners weighed flood risk and the importance of marina and marine‑service uses; several commissioners expressed a preference to continue prohibiting new residential development in the most vulnerable waterfront parcels.
• Parking: A new statute generally prevents municipalities from requiring minimum off‑street parking for residential developments of 16 units or fewer unless the municipality establishes up to two conservation and traffic mitigation districts (each up to 4% of land area) where minimums may be required. Staff recommended adding a "parking needs assessment" definition and considering whether Groton should adopt mitigation districts in targeted areas (for example downtown Mystic).
• Zoning map protest and commercial‑to‑multi conversions: The change to protest thresholds increases the number of property owners needed to trigger a higher vote requirement for map amendments, and another public act allows commercial‑to‑multi conversions by site plan without a public hearing—both require edits to local rules or policies.

Commissioners asked staff to draft the minimal set of text edits necessary to conform to state law and to prepare a consolidated list of proposed word and paragraph changes. Staff said they will circulate a track‑changes draft to commissioners for review prior to a special meeting scheduled for June 22/23 to consider adoption of the required changes. The commission also reviewed recent Connecticut zoning decisions and procedural guidance to minimize legal risk when implementing the updates.