Complaints by municipal officials have prompted lawmakers to promise changes to a proposal by Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy steering economic development around transportation hubs through a transit authority.Senator Cathy Osten, co-chair of the Planning and Development Committee, announced that lawmakers will allow more local control.
Legislators will eliminate an initial proposal permitting the condemning of property and municipalities will not be required to cooperate with the development authority.
Local officials complained that the authority had little municipal representation and they expressed concern about whether it could supersede local zoning and land use regulations.
A spokesman said Malloy's idea was to encourage transit-oriented development and make sure it's coordinated with a statewide plan.
Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff said it's critical that development projects be subject to local oversight.
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