Commission examines town and private vacant parcels as options for affordable housing; staff to circulate maps

The commission spent the bulk of the meeting reviewing a map and discussing vacant town and privately owned parcels that could be considered for affordable housing or infill development. The Chair opened the item as "discussion of your consideration of vacant lands and housing opportunities," and staff displayed a map highlighting town-owned open space, privately held vacant lots and sites where multifamily buildings already exist.

Commissioners and residents raised practical constraints—access to services, utilities, road access, and community opposition. A Resident recounted that some town‑area housing is operating at a different rent threshold and asked whether the Rocky Hill Housing Authority would be covered by any new requirements; staff replied that the authority operates under separate rules and that the town had not received the occupancy reports referenced.

One Committee member suggested focusing first on town‑owned parcels and underused multifamily sites, offering incentives to property managers rather than relying solely on private sales. "If you say to them, 'we're not gonna charge you any additional taxes... we'll come up with some incentive,'" the Committee member said, arguing that incentives could encourage owners to host additional units.

Commissioners identified several general opportunity areas—corridors near Route 3 and Silas D., parcels adjacent to Maple Avenue, and land near the veterans' home and other town facilities—but noted many sites are deeded as open space or subject to prior agreements that restrict development. The group discussed prior negotiations over the I‑291 parcel and cautioned that some deals were already concluded as open space.

Next steps agreed by the commission: staff will circulate the electronic map and an updated vacant‑property list, commissioners will individually identify two or three candidate parcels for follow‑up, and the commission will seek town buy‑in before committing substantial time. Staff warned that if the work narrows to specific property negotiations, the commission may need to go into executive session for land‑acquisition discussions.

The meeting concluded with a brief scheduling discussion and a motion to adjourn that passed by voice consent. Staff committed to providing maps and lists on the shared drive and to coordinate further outreach by email.