Madison Planning and Zoning Adopts Middle Housing Rules to Comply With State Law

Planning and Zoning · Meeting of July 9, 2026

Madison planning board adopts middle housing zoning rules, sends pet-services amendment back for revisions. The Madison Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously Thursday to approve application 26-18, a new Section 9.5 governing middle housing developments under Special Session Public Act 25-1, effective July 13, 2026, bringing the town into compliance with a state law that took effect July 1 requiring Connecticut municipalities to permit two-to-nine-unit residential developments by right in commercial and mixed-use zones. Consultant Mike D'Amato of Tyke Ecosystems, presenting the regulation, told the commission, "We're really in a position where we need to get something on the books," noting that fewer than 50 Connecticut towns had adopted such regulations statewide.

Key provisions include a 1,600-square-foot maximum for cottage cluster units, a three-bedroom maximum per unit, a 3,000 Kelvin lighting cap, and a mandatory-compliance list for existing commercial buildings converting to residential use. A companion text amendment (26-20) sought by property owner David Fiennes to allow pet-related services including lure-coursing dog exercise at 391 Durham Road was continued to August 6 after commissioners found the draft language too site-specific and too permissive, noting it would allow up to 30 dogs in outdoor pens as close as 20 feet from a property line in a rural residential zone with no required sound barriers or setback standards.

In the full story:

• Background and stakes
• The question before the body
• Substantive content
• The deliberation
• Procedural steps and outcome
• Implications and what is next
• The complete report — 3,548 words

Source: the Planning and Zoning meeting of July 9, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.