CT SB00294

Municipalities must provide comparable replacement land equal in value and per unit area size when taking, converting, or repurposing park, recreational, or open space land for highway or other non-park purposes.

Municipalities must hold a public hearing before taking, converting, or repurposing such land, in addition to any other required hearings under section 13a-58 or other statutes.

At the public hearing, municipalities must describe the land proposed to be taken, the proposed use, reasons for choosing parkland over other land, and details of replacement land to be provided.

Municipalities must publish notice of the hearing at least twice in a newspaper with substantial circulation, with the first notice 10-15 days before the hearing and the second notice at least 2 days before the hearing.

The hearing must be held within 15-30 days after any other required public hearing; "municipality" includes towns, cities, boroughs, and other political subdivisions of the state.