Planning and Development Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: SB-699
AN ACT CONCERNING ALTERNATE MEMBERS OF MUNICIPAL PLANNING
Title: COMMISSIONS.
Vote Date: 3/2/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable
PH Date: 2/3/2021
File No.: 62
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
N/A
REASONS FOR BILL:
Communities in Connecticut, especially small ones, may struggle to fill rosters of planning
commissions. To remedy this, SB 699 aims to allow members of municipal zoning
commissions and municipal boards of appeals to serve as alternate members of municipal
planning commissions. There is a provision that alternate individuals must recuse themselves
if there is a conflict of interest between discussions in their multiple roles.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
N/A
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Connecticut Chapter of the American Planning Association: Voiced support but had a
reservation and note of caution. The concern involved municipalities with joint planning and
zoning commissions. Testimony stated SB-699 should apply only to the potential
membership of stand-alone planning commissions and not joint planning and zoning
commissions, to prevent members from deciding on, "both regulations are variances thereof."
Testimony explains that CGS 8-19a currently prohibits alternate members to be drawn from
municipal zoning or zoning boards of appeals. Bill 699's allowing of alternate membership is
not expected to create conflict, as the jurisdictions of the two possible groups are, "quite
distinct." In communities where the board member pool is small, SB-699 may help keep a full
roster. Members would also be able to recuse themselves if conflict arose.
Betsy Gara, Executive Director of Connecticut Council of Small Towns: Voiced support
saying, "SB-699 removes this impediment to allow full members of either municipal zoning
commissions or of zoning boards of appeals to become alternate members of the
municipal planning commission." Reiterates that the bill prohibits ZBA or planning
commission members from serving as alternates on zoning or combined planning and zoning
commissions.
Sen. Cathy Osten- 19th District: Voiced support for permitting local zoning members to
serve as alternates of planning commissions. Testimony mentions a constituent who was
elected as a member of his town's zoning board of appeals, and an alternate on the planning
commission. The constituent then resigned from planning. The constituent pointed out there
is no prohibition in the General Statutes that prohibits being in the two groups, however.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
N/A
Reported by: Colin Savino Date: 3/15/2021
Page 2 of 2 SB-699


Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 8-19a
PD Joint Favorable: 8-19a
File No. 62: 8-19a