Stephen Devoto, Planning and Zoning Candidate. Independent.

 Submitted by Stephen Devoto. The Eye welcomes reader submissions: middletowneye@gmail.com
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I am running for re-election to the Planning and Zoning Commission because it is central to Middletown’s economic vitality, environmental sustainability, and housing opportunities. 

The future of the land along the river, the future of Newfield, South Main, and Washington Streets, the future of open space around Mt. Higby and in Maromas, the economic and residential vitality of downtown--these are all affected by the actions of the Planning and Zoning Commission. In fact, there is no neighborhood community, no business district, and no industrial area anywhere in our city that might not be impacted.

I want to continue the work that is documented in our Plan of Conservation and Development: make our city thriving, vibrant, connected, and sustainable. 

There are 3 open seats and you have 3 votes

Independent, Row C

I am on the ballot as an independent petitioning candidate, I am unaffiliated with either of the two major parties.  I left the Democratic Party because land use decisions affect the city far beyond even decades-long swings in the power of each political party; these decisions should not just be bipartisan, they should be non-partisan. More generally, government works best if elected officials focus on what is best for the residents, and do not take part in partisan political battles. 

There are 7 candidates, and you can vote for 3. 

There are restrictions on how many Democrats and how many Republicans can be seated on the Commission: under any circumstance only 1 Democrat can be seated, and only 1 Republican is guaranteed to be seated. 

My name is on Row C. 

Experience and bipartisanship

I began attending Planning and Zoning Commission meetings shortly after moving to Middletown 24 years ago. I did this several times a year with Arline Rich and other members of the Westfield Residents Association to monitor developments in our neighborhood. Then beginning in 2009 I attended virtually every meeting as a citizen correspondent for The Middletown Eye, and in 2013 I was elected to the Commission. The members of the Commission elected me as its chair in 2016, and reelected me again each year since. Unanimously.

I have experience working with staff in city hall, under mayors of both parties.  During my time on the Commission, the city has had 5 different Directors in the office of Planning Conservation and Development, three of whom were either new to the city or new to urban planning. I have worked well with each of them, and with others in City Hall, including Mayor Florsheim. 

Mayors of both parties have appointed me to committees dealing with important or controversial land use issues. For example, in 2009 a Republican mayor appointed me to a task force to find land for the Army Reserve Training facility, and in 2020 a Democratic mayor appointed me to serve on the steering committee for the riverfront master planning process. 

Economic Development

Middletown thrives with a vibrant mix of locally owned, independent businesses, national chains and all sizes of manufacturing, shipping, and warehouse companies, I have supported applications from businesses tiny to transnational, in each of these categories to establish or expand in our city. With my urging, we have modified our zoning code to make it easier for small businesses to locate in our city. 

Environmental Sustainability

Middletown has open space and some walkable neighborhoods that promote the health of the environment as well as the health of the residents. I have pushed for developers and our zoning code to encourage more of this, bicycle racks at new businesses, sidewalks in neighborhoods, and the setting aside of open space. I led the effort to require new large parking lots to include publicly available electric vehicle charging stations. 

Equity in Housing

Many Connecticut towns and cities suffer from racial segregation, a lack of affordable housing, or both. Middletown also has work to do in these areas, to ensure that it will always have high quality, affordable housing for all who want to live in our city: for our children, new teachers, and the workers who make our businesses thrive. I lobbied at the state level for new legislation that will increase housing options, increase property values, and promote environmental sustainability. This legislation passed and with changes to our zoning code our city can now create opportunities for an increase in affordable housing that is distributed in all parts of the city.  

VOTE ROW C FOR EXPERIENCE AND INDEPENDENCE