Easton, Trumbull Residents Oppose Proposed Affordable Housing Plan

A proposed 70-unit housing project straddling the border of Trumbull and Easton has sparked a heated local debate. The project highlights Connecticut’s ongoing tension between the push for more affordable housing and concerns about density, zoning, and the environment.

Developer Stephen Shapiro submitted plans under the state’s 8-30g affordable housing statute. That move has set off discussions among residents and officials from several towns, all wondering what this means for local development.

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Details of the Trumbull–Easton Housing Proposal

The project would span nearly six acres on Plumtree Lane. Plans show a three-story building with 60 apartments, nine townhouses, and one existing single-family home.

According to the documents, Trumbull and Easton would each get 30 units. The townhouses and the current house would sit on the Easton side of the property.

State law 8-30g requires at least 30% of units to be affordable. This law lets developers bypass some local zoning rules if the town hasn’t met state housing quotas.

Shapiro says his plan is less dense than other 8-30g projects nearby. He points out the proposal has fewer than 12 units per acre, which he thinks is reasonable.

Affordable Housing Requirements Under Connecticut Law

Connecticut’s 8-30g statute has stirred controversy for years. Towns like Fairfield, Westport, and Milford have all wrestled with similar proposals.

Supporters say the law boosts access to housing. Critics argue it chips away at local control. In this case, 21 units would be affordable, and the rest would rent at market rate.

Local Leaders Respond

Officials have voiced mixed opinions. Trumbull First Selectman Vicki Tesoro called the plan “excessively dense and out of place” for the neighborhood, but she admits there’s a real need for more housing—especially for seniors, young adults, and workers.

State Representative Tony Scott, who represents parts of Trumbull and Monroe, dislikes 8-30g. He says the law’s “one-size-fits-all” approach pressures towns to accept projects that may not fit, or risk expensive lawsuits.

Support for a Workforce Housing Model

Shapiro promises to offer the units first to local employees and seniors during the initial leasing phase. He claims this approach has worked in places like Norwalk and Danbury.

State Representative Anne Hughes, who serves parts of Easton, says she’s cautiously supportive. She hopes the project could house teachers, first responders, and retirees, and she encourages green building practices.

Regulatory Hurdles Ahead

The development still faces several hurdles before construction can start. It needs approval from wetlands commissions in both towns, planning and zoning boards, and sewer connection deals with both Trumbull and the City of Bridgeport.

Wetlands issues could be a big sticking point, especially on the Easton side. Environmental preservation is a major value for many in the community.

Balancing Growth and Preservation

This proposal really puts a spotlight on a tough question: How do Connecticut towns add more affordable and workforce housing without sacrificing open space, low-density neighborhoods, or environmental values?

Places like Ridgefield and Glastonbury are wrestling with the same balancing act. The debate isn’t going away anytime soon.

The Bigger Picture for Connecticut Housing

Across Connecticut, the 8-30g statute keeps shaping how towns approach new housing. Some folks say that without this law, lower- and middle-income families just couldn’t afford to live in many suburban areas.

Others push back, arguing the statute sometimes leads to projects that overwhelm local infrastructure or just don’t fit the neighborhood vibe.

The Trumbull–Easton housing plan is crawling through the approval process. Residents should expect more public hearings and some lively debates ahead.

70 total units split between Trumbull and Easton
30% of units designated as affordable under 8-30g
Developer pledges initial leasing priority for local employees and seniors
Approvals needed from multiple local and regional agencies
Significant debate over density and zoning impacts

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Here is the source article for this story: Affordable housing plan angers Easton, Trumbull residents, officials. ‘Out of place’

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