Conn. Gen. Stat. § 8-13ff: Priority housing development zones. Regulations.

(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of any charter or special act, a zoning commission may adopt regulations, as part of any zoning regulations adopted under section 8-2 or any special act, that establish a priority housing development zone in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(b) A priority housing development zone shall satisfy the following requirements:

(1) The zone shall be consistent with the state plan of conservation and development and be located in an eligible location.

(2) The regulations concerning a priority housing development zone shall be submitted to the commissioner for review in a form and manner prescribed by the commissioner and approved by the commissioner. The commissioner shall condition the approval of such regulations based on the commissioner's determination, in the commissioner's discretion, that the regulations establishing a priority housing development zone are likely to substantially increase the production of new dwelling units necessary to meet housing needs within the zone, including addressing the provisions identified in subdivisions (4) to (6), inclusive, of subsection (b) of section 8-2, and that such regulations are consistent with the housing growth plan or regional housing growth plan as approved for the municipality in which such zone is located.

(3) The regulations establishing a priority housing development zone shall permit, as of right, multifamily housing, as provided in this section.

(4) The minimum allowable density for a priority housing development zone, per acre of developable land, shall be: (A) Four units per acre for single-family detached housing; (B) six units per acre for duplex or townhouse housing; and (C) ten units per acre for multifamily housing.

(5) The minimum densities prescribed in subdivision (4) of this subsection shall be subject only to site plan or subdivision procedures, submission requirements and approval standards of the municipality and shall not be subject to special permit or special exception procedures, requirements or standards.

(6) A priority housing development zone may consist of one or more subzones, provided each subzone and the zone as a whole comply with the requirements of this section.

(7) A priority housing development zone shall be not less than ten per cent of the total developable land within a municipality.

(8) The regulations establishing a priority housing development zone shall satisfy the provisions set forth in section 8-2, including, but not limited to, subdivisions (4) to (6), inclusive, of subsection (b) of said section.

(c) A zoning commission may modify, waive or eliminate dimensional standards contained in the zone or zones that underlie a priority housing development zone in order to support the minimum or desired densities, mix of uses or physical compatibility in the priority housing development zone. Standards subject to modification, waiver or elimination by a zoning commission shall include, but not be limited to, building height, setbacks, lot coverage, parking ratios and road design standards.

(d) The regulations of a priority housing development zone may allow for a mix of business, commercial or other nonresidential uses within a single zone or for the separation of such uses into one or more subzones, provided that the zone as a whole complies with the requirements of this section, and such uses are consistent with as-of-right residential uses and densities required under this section.

(e) A priority housing development zone may overlay all or any part of an existing historic district, and a municipality may establish a historic district within an approved priority housing development zone, provided, if the requirements or regulations of such historic district render the approved priority housing development zone out of compliance with the provisions of this section, the commissioner shall deny or revoke a preliminary or final letter of eligibility and deny or revoke a certificate of affordable housing project completion, as provided in subdivision (4) of subsection (l) of section 8-30g, as applicable.

(f) The provisions of this section shall not be construed to affect the power of a zoning commission to adopt or amend regulations under chapter 124 or any special act other than as set forth in this section.