Meeting in the Middle: Unlocking Housing Opportunities in Groton - Community Conversation 2/26/26

The Groton Municipal Television hosted a community conversation focused on addressing the shortage of "missing middle" housing in Groton, a type of housing that includes duplexes, triplexes, and other multi-family units that are not being built as frequently due to zoning restrictions and other regulatory challenges. The discussion highlighted the historical zoning policies that have contributed to the decline of such housing, the current housing demand driven by factors like shrinking household sizes and regional job growth (notably from Electric Boat), and the town's efforts to respond, including a $350,000 Department of Defense grant to support planning and zoning updates. The meeting also covered concerns about affordable housing, short-term rentals, transportation infrastructure, and community feedback on housing types and development preferences. The town is actively engaging residents through surveys, walking tours, and public meetings to inform potential zoning amendments and policies to encourage missing middle housing development while balancing infrastructure and community needs.