The proposed General Assembly Raised Bill No. 7034 seeks to eliminate the requirement for land donations as a condition for subdivision approval by amending Section 8-25 of the general statutes. The bill removes the existing provision that allowed municipalities to demand land donations or fees in lieu of such donations for open spaces, parks, and playgrounds, which was previously capped at ten percent of the land's fair market value. This change aims to simplify the subdivision approval process and alleviate financial burdens on applicants. While the bill allows commissions to require open spaces and parks, it explicitly prohibits the previous options of land donation or fee payment.

In addition to prohibiting land donation requirements, the bill introduces new regulations for land subdivision that focus on safety, infrastructure, and flood control. It establishes that conditional approvals for subdivisions will expire five years after being granted, with a potential five-year renewal at the commission's discretion. The bill also allows buyers to rescind contracts for subdivided lots if final approvals include unacceptable amendments and imposes fines for transferring titles before final approval. Furthermore, it limits the financial guarantees that can be demanded from applicants, allowing various forms such as cash bonds and letters of credit, and mandates timely responses from the commission regarding the release of these guarantees. Overall, the bill aims to streamline the subdivision process while promoting sustainable development practices.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 8-25, 8-25b