Fairfield aims to boost housing, economic growth at train stations with CT development agency's help

FAIRFIELD — Fairfield officials said the town is looking to create more transit-oriented housing and is hopeful the Connecticut Municipal Development Authority could help with that.

Fairfield's Representative Town Meeting met last week and voted 29-5 to approve working with the CMDA and discussing the town's hopes for housing and economic growth.

"I think it just provides us with an opportunity to continue the conversation," said acting First Selectman Christine Vitale. "I know that there's been a lot of talking points that we're giving a little control, but that is not the case. This is just another tool in our toolbox in terms of how we choose to develop as a town, especially around our train stations."

The CMDA, a quasi-public state agency, was initially established in 2019 but went unfunded until receiving a $60 million bond authorization from the state and undergoing a resurgence in 2024.

David Kooris, executive director of the CMDA, said the organization aims to help municipalities develop housing near their train stations and downtowns.

"That's our ultimate goal," he said.

Kooris said Naugatuck was the first town in the state to join the CMDA in February; as of now, the list has grown to 21 municipalities.

He said working with the CMDA is a multi-month process that includes certifying zoning regulations and drafting a memorandum of agreement between the organization and the town to establish the boundaries of the development district.

"Our job is to get to know a town, to have them articulate to us what their priorities are, and figure out whether there's a tool in our toolbox that we can mobilize that they don't have available to them locally, a big one being funding, that can help them unlock a project or move an initiative forward that hasn't previously," Kooris said.

Kooris said that despite interest, none of the towns has entered into formal agreements with the organization. "The way that our statute is written is municipalities have to opt in before we engage in any formal conversations," Kooris said. "I think there's a little fear or misperception on behalf of some stakeholders that somehow that action is formalizing a process that has already taken place without their knowing."

Director of Community & Economic Development Mark Barnhart said continuing the conversation with the organization could help the town identify its goals for housing growth.

"I think the next step is for the town to better define the areas we'd like to focus on," he said.

Barnhart said the town's area of focus is highlighted in the Plan of Conservation and Development, which the Plan and Zoning Commission is considering updating. The commission will discuss the current draft after Labor Day.

He said that although the future of the town's connection with the CMDA is uncertain, the conversations being had are a good start.

"It may not work out, but you don't know that until you at least go through the process," Barnhart said.