Town officials have decided to investigate creating a limited affordable housing zone that would permit young people to remain in New Canaan once they start working.
The so-called Incentive Housing Overlay Zone would allow higher-density developments than are permitted under current rules.
Town Planner Steven Kleppin discussed the zone Tuesday with the Board of Selectmen. He said it would permit housing for members of the workforce typically in the 25 to 34 age bracket. He said the zone comes from the HOME Connecticut program, enacted in 2007 to increase affordable housing.
"That's the age cohort that's been leaving Connecticut at high rates," Kleppin said. "Those folks that get out of school, get their education here and then move on to places where they can afford housing. The intent is to provide housing so they can actually stay and work."
A three-member committee was named to look at an area north of the Mill Apartments on Millport Avenue as well the Merritt Apartments off Park Street as possible places for the zone, Kleppin said. The panel will study not only if the zone should be created but also how many units should be included. Kleppin said the committee will hire a consultant to assist in the study.
Although apartments are a possibility, Kleppin said townhouses are the likely units to be built in such a zone. Twenty percent of the units would have to be affordable for someone making 80 percent or less of the area's median income.
Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman Laszlo Papp and Housing Authority board members Chuck Berman and Scott Hobbs were appointed to the committee.
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