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04/26/2022 01:18 PMThe Planning & Zoning Commission has a busy evening set for Monday, May 2, with a public hearing on two related affordable housing issues as well as continued deliberation and a possible vote on retail cannabis sales zoning.
Last year, Connecticut legislators passed a bill that legalized recreational marijuana use by adults in the state. That bill left it up to local municipalities to control the possibility of a store opening for marijuana retail or for a growing operation.
According to state law, North Haven will only be able to issue one retail license and one “micro-cultivator” license until 2024. However, other licenses for cultivator, producer, manufacturer, delivery, and packaging are all permitted under the new law as well. The town can also choose to decline cannabis establishments.
At its regular meeting on March 7, the PZC invited the public to weigh in on Public Act No. 21-1 An Act Concerning Responsible and Equitable Regulation of Adult-Use Cannabis. Of the 10 members of the public speaking, three discussed interest in opening a retail or growing facility, while five expressed opposition to allowing cannabis-based businesses in town.
Towns that allow a cannabis retail establishment would receive a three percent tax on those sales to be spent on a limited set services.
The PZC continued its discussion on cannabis zoning from its April 4 meeting to the May 2 meeting.
The PZC is also planning a public hearing and possible action on, including an opt-out from, provisions of Public Act No. 21-29 “An Act Concerning the Zoning Enabling Act, Accessory Apartments, Training for Certain Land Use Officials, Municipal Affordable Housing Plans and A Commission on Connecticut’s Development and Future,” specifically the sections that pertain to parking and to accessory apartments or accessory dwelling units.
The state has set a goal of 10 percent affordable housing units in each municipality; North Haven has approximately six percent if its housing categorized as affordable. As accessory apartments are one way to increase availability of affordable housing, the state moved to allow accessory apartment as a right unless the individual town’s zoning authority votes by a minimum two-thirds vote to opt out of the regulation.
Under the default state guidelines, a town cannot require more than one parking space for a studio or one-bedroom unit or more than two parking spaces for a dwelling unit with two or more bedrooms. The parking regulations are also subject to the same opt-out procedure.
The May 2 meeting will take place at 7 p.m. at the Mildred A. Wakeley Recreation Center, 7 Linsley Street.