OLR Bill Analysis
AN ACT CONCERNING COORDINATED PRESERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT.
This bill allows state agencies to fund projects under specific programs only if they are consistent with the smart growth principles delineated in another bill (sHB 6467). Agencies must submit the applications they receive for funding under these programs to the eight-member Responsible Growth Interagency Steering Council, which has up to 30 days to determine they are consistent with the principles.
The governor created the council by executive order to coordinate the state's development and preservation polices and plans. It consists of the departments of Agriculture, Environmental Protection, Public Health, and Economic and Community Development; the quasi-public Connecticut Development Authority and Connecticut Housing Finance Authority; and the Office of Policy and Management (OPM).
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2009
SMART GROWTH
The council must review funding applications based on the sHB 6467's definition of smart growth. That bill defines this term so that state, regional, and local planning bodies can incorporate smart growth principles in their plans of conservation and development. Under sHB 6467, smart growth is economic, social, and environmental development that:
1. simultaneously promotes economic competitiveness and preserves natural resources and
2. allows state, regional, and municipal officials to collaboratively plan, make decisions, and evaluate policies.
The development must use financial or other incentives to promote competitiveness and resource preservation.
Smart growth principles are standards and criteria that, among other things,
1. integrate planning in a way that coordinates state and local tax, transportation, housing, and environmental policies;
2. reduce the extent to which municipalities depend on the property tax and compete against each other for new growth by delivering services regionally;
3. redevelop existing infrastructure and resources, including brownfields and historic places;
4. provide rail, bikeways, walking, and other transportation alternatives to automobile travel while reducing energy consumption;
5. develop or preserve housing for workers or households with different incomes near transportation nodes, job sites, or other eligible locations (which the bill does not define);
6. concentrate mixed use development around transportation nodes and civic and cultural centers; and
7. conserve and protect natural resources by preserving open space, farmland, and historic property and furthering energy efficiency.
CONSISTENCY REVIEWS
Process
The bill requires the council to determine if applications for specified preservation and economic development funds are consistent with smart growth principles. The agencies administering these funds must submit the applications to the council before deciding whether to approve them. The council has up to 30 days to complete a consistency review and notify the administering agency, which may approve the application if the council determines that it is consistent with smart growth principles.
Applicable Programs
The bill requires consistency reviews for programs providing funds for preserving farms, open spaces, and historic structures and landmarks, and developing land. The table below identifies them.
Program |
Agency |
Description |
Open Space and Watershed Acquisition Grants (CGS § 7-131d) |
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) |
Grants to (1) municipalities and nonprofits for acquiring open space land and (2) water companies for acquiring Class I or Class II water supply property |
Farmland Preservation Program (CGS § 22-26cc) |
Department of Agriculture |
Purchase of the right to develop active agricultural property meeting specified soil quality standards |
Restoration of Historic Structures and Landmarks (CGS § 10-411) |
Commission on Culture and Tourism |
Matching grants to municipalities and private organizations for acquiring, relocating, preserving, or restoring historic structures and landmarks |
Brownfield Remediation Pilot Program and Grants (CGS § 32-9ee) |
Office of Brownfield Remediation and Development, Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) |
Funds for cleaning up and redeveloping contaminated property in five designated municipalities |
Financial Assistance |
Connecticut Development Authority |
Financing under any programs for acquiring or improving land and constructing, reconstructing, or renovating structures |
Grants |
DECD |
Grants under any programs for acquiring or improving land and constructing, reconstructing, or renovating structures |
Urban Action Bonds (CGS § 4-66c) |
Departments of Transportation, Social Services, Environmental Protection, and Economic and Community Development and OPM |
Grants for projects promoting community conservation and improvement and improving the quality of life for urban residents |
Small Town Economic Assistance Program (CGS § 4-66g) |
Office of Policy and Management |
Funds for projects in relatively small municipalities that do not qualify for funds under programs targeting distressed areas |
BACKGROUND
Related Bills
sHB 6467, favorably reported by the Planning and Development Committee, requires future versions of state, regional, and local plans of conservation and development to incorporate smart growth principles. It also requires OPM to develop model zoning regulations incorporating these principles.
sHB 6465, favorably reported by the Planning and Development Committee, requires the Transportation Strategy Board to include a capital plan for transportation investments that incorporate the smart growth principles delineated in sHB 6467. It also requires the board to advise the Bond Commission on the extent to which transportation capital projects incorporate smart growth principles.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Planning and Development Committee
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea |
19 |
Nay |
0 |
(03/20/2009) |