Toni Boucher Position on Housing and 8-30 G

8-30G allows developers to override any local planning and zoning decision if less than 10% of the community’s housing is affordable. 8-30G was passed before I ran for office. As a freshman legislator in the house, I was assigned to the Housing Committee where I learned firsthand how this statute was abused by many developers throughout Connecticut. 

The law allowed for the construction of expensive apartment complexes with certain affordable housing to meet state standards. In some communities, the overdevelopment created an insurmountable burden for both the transportation and education systems. Simply put, many schools could not absorb the increase in students now living in 8-30 G housing complexes, and traffic became harmful to jobs, economic growth, and ability to work and care for a family.

Unfortunately, any attempt to modify this statute was opposed and voted down by the Democratic majority that had put this law in place to begin with. The Democratic controlled legislature recently tried to usurp local control over planning and zoning decisions with laws that mandate state control of housing within half-a-mile of any train station, and that grant city housing authorities oversight of local town housing authorities.

Democrats were able to get these laws through committee but paused their efforts as opposition mounted. However, there is deep concern that a future Democratic majority in a non-election year will resume their past efforts to have the state take more control over our housing decisions. They are concerned that they will change their communities forever. We should never forget that for most people the purchase of a home is their most significant financial investment over their lifetime.

This rings true for me as well. Part of my drive to jump back in the race is to stop such government overreach and restore local control.