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File #: LM-2026-0109    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Order Status: In Committee
File created: 3/12/2026 In control: Legislation Committee
On agenda: Final action:
Title: ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENT APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 42, TABLE 3. USE TABLE, PARAGRAPH V OF THE NEW HAVEN ZONING ORDINANCE TO PERMIT CULTURAL ACTIVITIES NOT CARRIED ON AS A GAINFUL BUSINESS, INCLUDING ART GALLERIES, LIBRARIES, AND MUSEUMS, TO BE DESIGNATED AS-OF-RIGHT IN THE LIGHT INDUSTRIAL (IL) DISTRICT
Attachments: 1. Lost in New Haven, Inc. - Text Change

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ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENT APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 42, TABLE 3. USE TABLE, PARAGRAPH V OF THE NEW HAVEN ZONING ORDINANCE TO PERMIT CULTURAL ACTIVITIES NOT CARRIED ON AS A GAINFUL BUSINESS, INCLUDING ART GALLERIES, LIBRARIES, AND MUSEUMS, TO BE DESIGNATED AS-OF-RIGHT IN THE LIGHT INDUSTRIAL (IL) DISTRICT

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WHEREAS, pursuant to 1925 Special Act No. 490 §5, Article XIII §2 of the Charter of the City of New Haven, and § 64(d)(1) of the Zoning Ordinance, City of New Haven (the "Zoning Ordinance"), Lost in New Haven, Inc. LLC ("Petitioner") filed with the New Haven City Clerk for transmission to the Board of Alders a Petition (the "Petition") requesting that the Board of Alders amend the text of the New Haven Zoning Ordinance, Section 42, Table 3, Use Table, Paragraph V to permit Cultural activities not carried on as a gainful business, including art galleries, libraries and museums, to be permitted as-of-right in the Light Industrial (IL) Districts, as set forth on Schedule A attached hereto (the "Text Amendment"); and

 

WHEREAS, on ______, 2026 pursuant to the City of New Haven Charter and the Zoning Ordinance, the Board of Alders referred the Petition to the New Haven City Plan Commission for a public hearing and for their advice;

And

 

WHEREAS, on _______ , the City Plan Commission following its public hearing rendered an advisory report to the Board of Alders after considering the factors set forth in § 64(d)(2) of the Zoning Ordinance recommending _______ of the Petition, City Plan Commission Report No. ______

 

and

 

WHEREAS, following the public hearing of the Board of Alders Legislation Committee on _______ , the Committee issued a _____ report; and WHEREAS, the Board of Alders finds that the Text Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance requested in the Petition is in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan of Development and the Comprehensive Plan for the City of New Haven, as such an amendment will facilitate the repurposing of vacant industrial  buildings for cultural uses, and encourage the development of cultural activities in neighborhoods outside of downtown New Haven, in accordance with the goals and strategies set forth in Vision 2034, the City's Comprehensive Plan of Development; and

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Alders further finds that the Text Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance requested in the Petition is designed to lessen congestion in the streets, secure safety, promote health and the general welfare, provide adequate light and air, prevent the overcrowding of land, avoid undue concentrations of population, provide adequate provisions for all forms of transportation and other public requirements, reflect the character of the applicable zoning district and its peculiar suitability for the uses to be allowed in such district, conserve the value of existing buildings, and encourage the most

appropriate use of land in the City; and

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Alders further finds that the Text Amendment to the  Zoning Ordinance requested in the Petition is uniform for each class of buildings or structures within the IL District.

 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of Alders of the City of New Haven that the Petition of Lost in New Haven, Inc. is granted for an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance text permitting Cultural activities not carried on as a gainful business, including art galleries, libraries and museums, be allowed as of right in the Light Industrial (IL) District, and the text of the Zoning Ordinance, Section 42, Table 3. Use Table, Paragraph V shall be amended to provide that such uses are permitted as of right in the IL District. This Ordinance shall be effective on the day after the date of publication of notice of the adoption of this Ordinance.