Commission raises questions about state housing targets and local constraints

Members spent extended time on the implications of state housing targets under the HOME Act. One commissioner asked whether Stamford could be forced to meet an assigned numeric target, noting the town has "no town water and no town sewer," and asked how the state would enforce any requirement. Another member described local building economics, saying, "You can buy a house at $200 a square foot, and it's gonna cost you $450 to build," and noted that high construction costs reduce the town’s ability to add housing.

Discussion centered on documenting constraints in the town plan so Stamford could explain why it might miss state-assigned targets. Commissioners emphasized infrastructure (water/sewer), environmental limitations (wetlands, floodplain), and market realities as reasons a small town may be unable to deliver the density envisioned by state policy. They agreed to gather more precise target numbers and follow up in future meetings.