Climate change and increasing housing density, my testimony on SB 1024

The hearing on this legislation is Monday, March 15. Here is my submitted testimony: 

Dear Sen. Cassano, and Rep. McCarthy Vahey, and members of the Planning and Development Committee.

I'm writing concerning bill S.B. 1024, specifically its provision to increase density around transit and middle housing. I fully support these provisions. Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

We are in the early stages of catastrophic climate change. We see rising temperatures, storms of enormous power, unusual weather generally, drying conditions that fuel fires, rising seas, and other climate-related problems.

Over the coming decades, climate changes will prompt a northern migration. It may well be the most significant driver of growth in our state in the next 50 years.

Climate change is our problem as well. Our average temperature has increased 2.8 degrees Fahrenheit from 1970-2018. (See Climate Central April 2019, Earth Day report).

Along with Rhode Island, Connecticut is one of the fastest warming states because of the influences of the coastal waters.

But even in this climate change era, Connecticut and New England generally will be in an excellent position to grow the population as Americans relocate from more distressed parts of the nation.

Connecticut needs to prepare for this future and increase housing density near transit.

The state relies heavily on oil heat for our homes. Oil heat will become unaffordable because of a likely carbon tax. Oil heat will not be sustainable long-term, which will be a significant problem for the state's families. People will need to spend thousands upgrading heating systems, add solar and retrofit their homes for green energy. Higher densities can help address this.

Property taxes are high. Allowing people to create rental accessory apartments will help people stay in their homes, as well as pay for energy upgrades.

Connecticut needs to develop into a green state with new energy sources and higher-density housing. Although affordability and decreasing segregation drive much of this discussion around this bill, we can't ignore the climate change impacts.

Climate change will radically shape our world and prompt us to move to higher densities, less restrictive zoning, and help affordability goals.

References and notes:

This bill is unlikely to have a major impact on Enfield. We already allow high density housing near mass transit. Most of the concern about this bill is focused in Fairfield County. Enfield has a base of affordable housing, and multi-family housing. 

These links offer a variety of views on the legislation. 

CT Sweeping Zoning Legislation, SB 1024, Aims to Increase Overall Housing Supply, Greenwich Free Press. 

A Battle Pitting Local Versus State Control at the Heart of Legislation to Change Housing in Connecticut. CT Examiner. 

Across multiple zoning bills, lines are drawn in the sand. Yankee Institute. 

To Create More Affordable Housing, Make Zoning Hyperlocal, Bloomberg.  

Data suggest dozens of towns are violating CT Supreme Court decision on exclusionary zoning. CT Mirror. 

Does 'snob zoning' lead to segregated suburbs in Connecticut? CT Mirror. 

Communities should encourage construction of 'middle housing,' CT Mirror. 

Activist group leading change, Desegregate Connecticut.