2008 South Western Regional Planning Agency  Legislative Agenda

The South Western Regional Planning Agency and the First Selectmen, First Selectwomen and Mayors of the Region’s eight member municipalities are pleased to present the 2008 South Western Region Legislative Agenda.

Additional information on specific legislative recommendations may be found in the complete document (PDF, 843kb).

The following items were presented to the Region's legislative delegation by SWRPA’s Board of Representatives and the Region’s chief elected officials at Norwalk City Hall on January 29, 2008:

1. Maintain Baseline Funding and Provide Additional Funding for Regional Planning Organizations Through State Agencies that Participate in Regional Planning Partnerships:

• Develop a Regional Planning Partnership Incentive Program to promote cooperative planning efforts between participating state agencies and regional planning organizations;
• Create a dedicated line item in the budget of the Department of Community and Economic Development for the purpose of funding RPOs participating in initiatives related to housing and economic development;
• Create a dedicated line item in the budget of the Department of Environmental Protection for the purpose of funding RPOs participating in initiatives related to environmental matters;
• Create a dedicated line item in the budget of the Department of Transportation for the purpose of funding RPOs participating in initiatives related to transportation matters related to economic development and the environment.

2. Increase State Funding for Critical Local Aid Programs:

• Increase annual funding for regional planning organizations; maintain its location as a line item in the Office of Policy and Management's budget; provide sufficient funding to reflect the role of RPOs in regional emergency management;
• Increase funding for the Local Capital Improvements Program (LoCIP);
• Increase funding for the Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP);
• Fully Fund Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) reimbursement programs to the maximum extent allowable by state statute;
• Increase Funding for Town Aid for Roads (TAR).

3. Promote Incentive-based Strategies and Project-Based Support to Encourage Implementation of Sustainable Growth Initiatives in Support of the Governor's Responsible Growth Directive:

• Require state infrastructure and development grants issued by quasi-public agencies such as the Connecticut Development Authority and the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority to be consistent with the spirit and intent of the purpose of the Conservation and Development Policies Plan for Connecticut, 2005-2010 (the State Plan);
• Provide funding for the Transit Oriented Development Pilot Program in SFY 2008-2009;
• Provide funding dedicated for the purpose of implementing the State GIS Business Plan.

4. Expand the Region's Affordable Housing Stock through Modified Eligibility Requirements and Development of Incentive Programs:

• Promote local housing trust funds to support construction and rehabilitation of affordable housing options;
• Support affordable housing initiatives consistent with local zoning and community character through adaptive reuse of older properties;
• Encourage and provide incentives to live and work in the same community, especially for public sector employees and emergency and service providers;
• Increase the income threshold for affordable housing eligibility in towns and regions with median incomes exceeding the State average, while maintaining current eligibility elsewhere.
 

4. Modify Section 8-12a(c) to:  1. Provide qualified immunity against personal liability to zoning enforcement officers who issue a citation found by the courts to not be negligent; 2. Eliminate the term "frivolous" as a measure of culpability; and 3. Eliminate the mandatory minimum of treble damages.
 

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