NORWALK, Conn. – A legislative bill that would give the state control over all property within a half mile of any transit station is raising eyebrows in several communities, including Norwalk.
Governor’s Bill No. 6851, An Act Establishing The Connecticut Transit Corridor Development Authority, in an initiative of the Malloy administration. Because a governor cannot legally introduce legislation to the General Assembly, it was introduced by the House and Senate leadership, making Sen. Bob Duff (D-25) one of those introducing what promises to be a controversial bill.
“The bill is a governor’s bill, which was introduced on Feb. 4, when he presented his budget to the legislature,” Duff told NoN in an email. “Legislative leaders of the same party sign on as introducers as a courtesy in order for the bills to be heard. That is standard no matter who is the governor.”
Now known as HB6851, the bill intends to create an authority that would have broad powers over large tracts of land – including homes and businesses – within a half-mile radius of transit stations. The authority would have the power go govern all development in those areas, and could take by eminent domain and land or buildings it deemed necessary to pursue the state’s transit plans.
Former NBC News director and anchor Jim Cameron, who served for 19 years on the CT Metro-North Rail Commuter Council, recently penned an opinion piece that appeared on NoN slamming the bill and its intent.
Tuesday, Mayor Harry Rilling said he is concerned about the bills potential implications.
“While I realize this is just the initial proposal and what comes out of committee is usually tweaked many times over, this still concerns me greatly. State control of all property within a half mile of our train stations is unacceptable. If my calculations are correct, that would result in Norwalk losing control of approximately 502 acres at each location.
“Moreover,” he said, “the current owners of property within those areas would be subjected to eminent domain proceedings at the whim of the state and no developers would be foolish enough to invest in the area. I’m still unable to determine the logic behind this proposal but on the surface, this is not a good bill and I would hope it does not receive the support of our legislatures. At this time, there are too many unanswered questions.”
A half-mile radius from the South Norwalk train station, for instance, would encompass a good portion of the property planned for the Washington Village rebuild. Neither Rilling nor Duff could say whether the bill could jeopardize the $30 million federal Choice Neighborhoods grant. Duff did say, however that he believes such situations would be addressed in the bill.
“Currently, it’s in front of the Planning and Development Committee,” Duff said. “I am confident that there will be changes to the legislation and the proposal will be narrowed in order to meet the intent.”
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