By Peter Barhydt
The Planning and Zoning Commission received an update Monday night on New Canaan’s ongoing Zoning Regulation Update, a comprehensive review of the town’s zoning regulations being conducted by its planning consultant, BFJ Planning.
Frank Fish, principal in charge at BFJ Planning, appeared before the full commission alongside Project Manager Suzanne Goldberg and Senior Planner Emily Tolbert to outline the work completed to date and the next steps in the process.
“This effort is really about stepping back and looking at the zoning regulations as a unified document,” Fish said. “Over time, regulations get amended section by section, and our goal is to bring clarity, consistency, and alignment with the town’s long-term planning goals.”
Goldberg said the project has involved a detailed analysis of existing zoning language, with an emphasis on identifying outdated provisions, internal inconsistencies, and areas where organization and definitions could be improved.
“We’re looking closely at how the regulations function in practice,” Goldberg said. “That includes how applicants, residents, and staff use the code, and where confusion or inefficiencies tend to arise.”
Emily Tolbert noted that BFJ Planning has also been reviewing zoning regulations from comparable communities to identify best practices that could be adapted to New Canaan’s context.
“One of our key focuses is usability,” Tolbert said. “Zoning regulations should be understandable not just to planners and attorneys, but to residents who want to understand what’s allowed in their neighborhoods.”
Commission members underscored the importance of ensuring that any future changes protect New Canaan’s character while responding to evolving planning needs. Several commissioners raised questions about how the updated regulations might balance flexibility with neighborhood stability.
“This is foundational work,” one commissioner said. “Zoning decisions shape development patterns for decades.”
Fish emphasized that the zoning update remains a work in progress and that community input will be an essential part of the process moving forward.
“There will be multiple opportunities for public engagement before any changes are adopted,” Fish said. “We see this as a collaborative effort with the commission and the community.”
No formal action was taken at the meeting, which was intended to provide an informational update to the commission. Additional presentations and discussions are expected as BFJ Planning continues developing draft zoning revisions for public review.
