Bike Walk CT Supports Bill Authorizing Fees in Lieu of Sidewalk Construction

Senator Steven Cassano
Representative Jason Rojas
Co-Chairs, Planning and Development Committee
Room 2100, Legislative Office Building
Hartford, CT 06106

Re: SUPPORT for HB 5966, AN ACT AUTHORIZING FEES IN LIEU OF SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION



Dear Senator Cassano and Representative Rojas:

Bike Walk Connecticut’s mission is to promote walkable, bikeable communities across the state.  Accordingly, we SUPPORT HB 5966, AN ACT AUTHORIZING FEES IN LIEU OF SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION.

We understand that this bill is the product of cooperation between expert planners at the Central Connecticut Regional Planning Agency in consultation with developers and public officials.  This bill would allow municipalities to collect a fee from developers (with the developer’s permission) in lieu of otherwise required sidewalk infrastructure. This fee could be used to build sidewalks throughout the municipality.

We believe the bill would offer municipalities the necessary flexibility and creativity to address walkability issues that the current statutory scheme does not  address, or even inadvertently undermines.

We urge your support for this bill.

Thank you for considering our position. 

Sincerely,



Kelly Kennedy, Executive Director
Bike Walk Connecticut