Darien’s Planning and Zoning Commission is scheduled to hold a public hearing Tuesday, March 24, on a proposed one-year moratorium on multifamily housing developments with more than 24 units.
The commission has proposed the moratorium in response to the town’s multifamily development activity in recent years, its ongoing work on a conservation and development plan and state legislation on multifamily housing, according to a document drafted by Jeremy Ginsberg, director of land use.
According to the memo, three apartment buildings with a combined 225 units have been completed in Darien since 2023, while five additional developments totaling 336 units are under construction. Meantime, the commission has been updating its 2016 Plan of Conservation and Development since 2024 and expects to complete that task in the fall or summer.
Officials also cited House Bill 8002, approved by the state legislature in November 2025, which requires municipalities to amend zoning rules to include housing growth plans and allow certain “middle housing” developments of two to nine units.
“The Commission believes it is important to better understand any possible impacts of these developments, both recently completed, as well as those now under construction, and to have the opportunity to coordinate that analyses with the implementation of HB 8002 and the finalization of the POCD,” the document stated.
The proposed moratorium would not apply to projects governed by conflicting state housing laws, including the affordable-housing statute 8-30g and HB 8002. If approved, the commission will decide when the moratorium takes effect.
