By Beth Barhydt
The New Canaan Planning & Zoning Commission’s Zoning Regulation Update Subcommittee will host a public workshop on Thursday, October 23, at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 77 Main Street, to present the latest progress in the town’s comprehensive zoning code update. The session, led by BFJ Planning, will be open to the public both in person and on Zoom.
The meeting will begin with a presentation from Frank Fish, Suzanne Goldberg, and Emily Tolbert of BFJ Planning, outlining the project’s objectives, scope, and timeline. The presentation will run from 7:00 to 7:30 p.m., followed by a short break and a public comment session beginning at 7:45 p.m. Residents will have an opportunity to ask questions and share feedback on the proposed direction of the zoning rewrite.
According to the subcommittee’s agenda, the workshop will explain how the updated zoning regulations aim to modernize the code, align it with Connecticut’s Public Acts, and bring consistency with the 2024 Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD). The update will address long-standing issues in the existing regulations, such as procedural inefficiencies, unclear definitions, and outdated standards. The goal is to create a zoning framework that balances growth management, housing diversity, and neighborhood preservation.
Background and Project Development
The zoning regulation rewrite began earlier this year when the subcommittee, chaired by Dan Radman, selected BFJ Planning for the project following consultant presentations in June. BFJ was chosen for its extensive experience with zoning updates in comparable Connecticut towns and its emphasis on community engagement. “We want this process to be as transparent as possible,” Town Planner Sarah Carey said during an earlier subcommittee meeting. “The goal is to create predictability and clarity for both applicants and residents.”
At an August 26 meeting, BFJ met with subcommittee members to review the overall project timeline, the public engagement plan, and the structure of upcoming meetings. That discussion established both the October 8 and October 23 meeting dates, setting the stage for the first major public session. It also introduced a phased process that includes focus groups, stakeholder interviews, and two large public workshops leading up to the draft regulation’s release in 2026.
During the October 8 meeting, BFJ provided draft materials for review, including a diagnostic report comparing the current zoning regulations to POCD goals, and an annotated version of the existing code with notes highlighting inconsistencies and areas for revision. Consultants also distributed a summary of comments gathered from town staff and subcommittee members. Chairman Radman thanked the consultants for “creating a clear roadmap” and noted that “the next few meetings will be where the real structural work begins.”
Next Steps and Upcoming Meetings
Following the October 23 workshop, the subcommittee will host a virtual focus group in early November with local zoning practitioners—attorneys, architects, engineers, and developers—who regularly file land use applications. Carey is coordinating the invitations to ensure a broad cross-section of professional input.
The next official subcommittee meeting is scheduled for December. The Planning & Zoning Commission will receive a project update from BFJ Planning during its December 16 meeting. Subsequent subcommittee sessions will be organized by topic:
December: Business zones and basic standards
January: Residential and special zones, including affordable housing
February: Definitions, procedures, and appendices
BFJ anticipates releasing a working draft of the new zoning regulations by June 2026, with public hearings and formal adoption targeted for September 2026.
How to Participate
Residents may attend the October 23 workshop at Town Hall or join virtually via Zoom using Meeting ID 880 2656 2824 and Passcode 528509. Each participant will have up to three minutes to speak during the public comment portion of the meeting. Written feedback can also be submitted to the Planning & Zoning Department for consideration as the process continues.
The zoning regulation update represents one of the town’s most significant planning efforts in recent years. As Carey noted, “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make our zoning regulations work better for everyone.”
