Planning commission delays adoption of West Haven economic plan after map revisions draw concern

The West Haven Planning Commission voted to table formal adoption of the city’s Economic Development Strategic Plan after receiving a revised map and sustained public concern about how private property would be treated.

Staff presented an updated EDSP map that, at the commission’s direction, removes parcels east of 2700 West and south of 2550 South to focus development on largely undeveloped frontage along 2550. Stephen, the planning staff member presenting the item, said the city had spoken with major landholders including Jordan Valley, which indicated it might surplus roughly "20 acres" along 2550, and representatives of the Baldwin family who asked that their corner parcel be included in the plan.

Commissioners and several residents said the revised map represented a substantive change from what had been shown at the public hearing, and that the people who attended that hearing should be given another opportunity to comment. Resident Lesie Barrow told the commission she and neighbors had not expected commercial uses "to be directly facing us," and asked where the changes came from. The commission agreed to send an updated map back for public comment and to present the map the commissioners supported at the next hearing.

Why it matters: The commission’s EDSP shapes where the city anticipates commercial growth and therefore will guide later zone‑change requests and infrastructure planning. Commissioners emphasized that the EDSP is a policy and guidance document — not an immediate rezoning — but acknowledged the practical impact when maps change the likely future uses of land.

What was decided and what’s next: A motion to table adoption and to hold another public hearing carried by voice vote. Commissioners asked staff to prepare the map shown on the screen as the primary option for public review, and to clarify transition zones so commercial designations along 2550 have a graded buffer into residential and agricultural areas. The item will return after that additional public comment period.

Quotes and context: "We owe the people that came here an opportunity for public comment once we get closer to what we're going to present to the city council," a commissioner said during debate, echoing residents’ concerns. Stephen summarized staff outreach: "They indicated to me that they initially felt like they had about 20 to 40 acres that likely could be surplus and that they wanted to work with the city to meet the city's vision...it was probably going to be closer to 20 acres." The commission did not adopt the plan and directed staff to hold a new public hearing so the revised map and transition language can be aired publicly.

Provenance: Topic introduced SEG 160; discussion and public comments span SEG 160–SEG 1350; motion to table made and voted at SEG 1086–SEG 1100. The decision to seek additional public comment and return an updated map was confirmed in the exchange at SEG 860–SEG 871.

Ending: The planning commission tabled the EDSP adoption and asked staff to prepare a clarified map and to schedule an additional public hearing before sending a recommendation to city council.