First Selectwoman on Housing Bill

Weston Today photo

First Selectwoman Samantha Nestor issued the following statement regarding H.B. 5002, the affordable housing bill passed by the Connecticut General Assembly and awaiting action by Governor Ned Lamont.

I know many Weston residents are concerned about House Bill 5002 and its potential impact on our town. I share those concerns. After speaking directly with the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and our legislative delegation, I’m encouraged: statewide feedback is already driving revisions, and sections that read as mandates or quotas are being redrafted.

Most important for Weston, our proactive work — establishing a Village District in the town center, updating our ADU regulations, and adopting an Affordable Housing Plan — means we are already positioned to comply while preserving local control. In short, we expect little to no direct impact on Weston.

I will keep pressing for amendments that protect communities like ours. One outstanding issue is the bill’s link between discretionary grants and a town’s choice to “opt in” to certain planning initiatives. Weston should not lose access to critical grant funding simply because we cannot, for example, create a transit‑oriented district when we have no mass‑transit infrastructure. Grant eligibility must be based on need and merit, not on a one‑size‑fits‑all checklist.

The same principle applies to the current “fair‑share” formula. As written, it ignores the realities of small, rural towns with limited land and infrastructure. I support the Governor’s call to remove this provision.

I will monitor the bill closely as it moves through the legislative process and continue advocating for changes that respect Weston’s realities and our residents’ priorities. Based on what we know today regarding revision, I believe the anticipated changes to H.B. 5002 will keep our local priorities intact and will not harm Weston.