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12/20/2017 08:30 AMShould the town shape downtown development to minimize the need for a motor vehicle? And if so, what tools would it use? The Planning & Zoning Commission (PZC) will start off the new year by asking those questions, and it’s hoping to hear from lots of Clinton residents.
Eric Knapp, the town’s zoning enforcement officer, provided context on the proposal to adopt transit-oriented development regulations that will be the focus of the Wednesday, Jan. 3 hearing at 7 p.m. in the Green Room of the Andrews Memorial Town Hall.
“The commission formed an ad hoc subcommittee to study the center of town, largely centered on the Unilever parcel,” Knapp said. “The theory is that [a transit-oriented] overlay zone would allow a more flexible path to develop this area of town. As the name implies, the goal is to encourage this area of town to be developed in a way that minimizes the need for a car, allowing pedestrian-friendly designs and encouraging use of transit.”
Among other changes, the new regulations would allow by special permit uses like lodging, restaurants, recreation facilities, senior housing, and some manufacturing. Find the full regulation at http://clintonct.org/DocumentCenter/View/4759.
Knapp continued, “The ad hoc committee believed that this portion of town, under the current zoning regulations, is not being utilized in a way that acknowledges the very limited space in this area of town, nor does it take advantage of the rail line. The goal is to create an area which people can live in without a motor vehicle.”
The PZC has 65 days from the close of the public hearing to make a decision.