By Dionna Carlson
There is a renewed energy across New Canaan as we move further into spring, and I’d like to share several important updates and upcoming events with the community.
The Town Council on April 14th approved a Town Expenditure Budget of $184.5 million for fiscal year 2026-27, representing an increase of 1.9% over the current fiscal year. Currently the amount to be raised by taxation increased by 3%. This increase is subject to change at the Board of Finance’s June 9th meeting, when they will set the annual mill rate. More details may be found in the Budget Documents icon at newcanaan.info.
Parking Lot Repaving
The Park Street and Playhouse parking lots repaving project is underway. This initiative will not only improve the condition and traffic flow of both lots, it will also widen parking spaces to better accommodate today’s vehicles. The initial phase of the project will see sections of the lots taken out of service for drainage, conduit and curbing installation, etc. During this phase, the lots will remain open. (see chart on page 13)
Once paving operations begin, one lot will be taken out of service at a time. When the Park Street lot is being paved, parking will be free on Elm Street and South Avenue to help offset the temporary loss of parking. To stay informed on construction and parking updates, I strongly encourage residents to “Sign Up for Alerts” at the red tab at newcanaan.info.
Outdoor Dining
Looking ahead, outdoor dining will officially return on May 1st and run through November 1st. This seasonal program has become a highlight of our downtown and we look forward to another vibrant season.
Updating Zoning Regulations
Our Planning and Zoning Commission continues its comprehensive review of zoning regulations. Some topics under consideration include: Parking requirements for business and residential uses; expanding the types of housing allowed in commercial zones, as required by new state housing law HB 8002; streamlining the permit process for new businesses in existing commercial spaces; building height and footprint limitations in commercial zones, and setbacks from property lines in commercial zones.
The Zoning Regulation Update Subcommittee is collecting public input now and will soon launch an online Q&A platform before making final revisions to the draft regulations. A public hearing is scheduled for June 2nd to gather additional feedback before any decisions are made. Relevant documents may be found at the Planning and Zoning Department section of newcanaan.info.
Shred Day and Hazardous Waste Day
Shred Day, a service of the Town where people can bring their sensitive documents to be securely shredded to prevent identity theft and fraud, is scheduled for April 25th from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Transfer Station.
The next Hazardous Waste Collection date in New Canaan will be September 12th. In the meantime, New Canaan residents are permitted to drop off hazardous materials in Greenwich May 2nd, Darien June 6th, Stamford July 11th and Norwalk August 15th. Contact those respective Town Halls for details.
Spring / Summer Recreation Programs
Registration and seasonal memberships are open for all spring / summer Recreation programs – Mead Park Pickleball and Tennis, Kiwanis Beach, Youth Soccer, Adult Softball, and the wide variety of programs as Steve Benko Pool. We invite you get involved and enjoy these popular activities and facilities. Discover all of the offerings at newcanaanct.myrec.com.
Affordable Housing Committee Community Meeting May 19th
Our Affordable Housing Committee (AHC) is continuing its work to provide paths to keep New Canaan in moratoria under the State’s 8-30g law, so that the Town can maintain maximum control of its affordable housing development. The core of the AHC’s work is to develop specific options for new Town-controlled affordable housing developments and to gauge public support for each option. The Committee is planning to present possible development options to the public on May 19 and solicit feedback on the pros and cons of each. You can learn more about the AHC’s work and watch past and future meetings on https://www.newcanaan.info/government/committees/affordable_housing.php.
Buses to Replace New Canaan Weekend Trains April 10 – June 7
Finally, our train riders should all be aware that Metro-North is replacing weekend train service with buses between New Canaan and Stamford now through June 7th, except for Memorial Day weekend.
I look forward to seeing you around town this spring.
Dionna Carlson is the New Canaan First Selectman. Her leadership is guided by a respect for local decision-making and a commitment to keeping residents informed and engaged. Read more from Dionna each month by subscribing to her email newsletter, News From Town Hall. To sign up to receive the newsletter visit newcanaan.info and click on the red bar at top, Sign Up For Alerts. To read the current issue of the newsletter visit newcanaan.info and click on the yellow bar at top, News From Town Hall.
