General Assembly Raised Bill No. 7034 seeks to amend the existing laws governing land subdivision approval by prohibiting the requirement of land donations as a condition for such approvals. The bill modifies Section 8-25 of the general statutes, ensuring that all subdivision plans must receive commission approval before any land subdivision occurs and must be filed within a specified timeframe. Key insertions include provisions for establishing regulations that guarantee land suitability for building and the presence of necessary infrastructure, such as water and drainage systems. Notably, the bill deletes the previous option for applicants to either pay a fee or transfer land to the municipality in lieu of providing open spaces, parks, or playgrounds, thereby reinforcing the requirement for open space in new subdivisions.

Additionally, the bill introduces several amendments aimed at enhancing the subdivision approval process. It allows the commission to set shorter periods for conditional approvals and enables buyers to rescind contracts for subdivided lots if final approvals include unacceptable changes. The legislation imposes fines on those who transfer titles to subdivided lots before final approval and emphasizes energy-efficient development by mandating the incorporation of passive solar energy techniques. Financial guarantee requirements are also modified, allowing various forms of guarantees while prohibiting the requirement for maintenance guarantees beyond one year after completion. The bill repeals Section 8-25b and is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 8-25, 8-25b
HSG Joint Favorable: 8-25, 8-25b
File No. 244: 8-25, 8-25b
PD Joint Favorable: 8-25, 8-25b