Bill Summary: HB 5360 - Coastal Site Plan Review

• Repeals and replaces Section 22a-105 of Connecticut General Statutes effective October 1, 2022, establishing coastal site plan review requirements for municipalities.

• Defines "coastal site plans" to include five categories of applications: zoning site plans, subdivision plans, special exceptions/permits, variance applications, and municipal project referrals located fully or partially within coastal boundaries landward of mean high water mark.

• Requires coastal site plans to include location and spatial relationship of coastal resources, project description with design and construction details, resource capability assessments, project suitability evaluation, and proposed mitigation methods for adverse impacts.

• Authorizes reviewing boards or commissions to approve, modify, condition, or deny proposed coastal activities based on criteria in Section 22a-106, ensuring impacts on coastal resources and future water-dependent development are acceptable; allows municipalities to charge filing fees for review costs.

• Establishes that if a board or commission fails to render a decision within statutory timeframes, the coastal site plan is deemed rejected, and requires only one coastal site plan review regardless of multiple approvals needed for a single project.