Megan Cottrell (D)
Stamford Board of Representatives, District 4
Democrat
*Paralegal (currently) *Taught ESL in high-need schools for a decade (NYC)
475-489-5435
Zoning , development, and property taxes are among the top concerns in my district.
For one, large developers are given special tax breaks. Consequently, homeowners are increasingly picking up the tab for city services. Property taxes are continually going up in Stamford making it difficult for many to afford to live here. Many of these developers who are receiving tax breaks are charging exorbitant rental rates. They can and should contribute their fair share to the general coffers of our city. The Board of Reps mustn’t renew the “Enterprise Zone” in 2018 which allows for up to 80% in tax abatements for special interests. On top on that, we need to stop expansion of TIF (tax-increment financing) districts, which cause a large portion of property tax revenue collected in these areas to go toward repaying bondholders, as opposed to going into the city’s general operating funds.
Secondly, developers try to get the city to change the rules for their “pet” projects. Developers cash in, but city residents are stuck dealing with the long-term issues of overcrowding and traffic. If anything, zoning rules should be made stricter. (For example, for apartment/condo complexes, at least 2 parking spaces should be required per unit as opposed to 1-1.5/unit.)
Lastly, zoning enforcement is lacking. This allows for the proliferation of unpermitted and unsafe housing. (Recently, a fire started in a house in an unpermitted 5 ft. x 7 ft. rented room.) We need more people performing both zoning and health department inspections.
For one, large developers are given special tax breaks. Consequently, homeowners are increasingly picking up the tab for city services. Property taxes are continually going up in Stamford making it difficult for many to afford to live here. Many of these developers who are receiving tax breaks are charging exorbitant rental rates. They can and should contribute their fair share to the general coffers of our city. The Board of Reps mustn’t renew the “Enterprise Zone” in 2018 which allows for up to 80% in tax abatements for special interests. On top on that, we need to stop expansion of TIF (tax-increment financing) districts, which cause a large portion of property tax revenue collected in these areas to go toward repaying bondholders, as opposed to going into the city’s general operating funds.
Secondly, developers try to get the city to change the rules for their “pet” projects. Developers cash in, but city residents are stuck dealing with the long-term issues of overcrowding and traffic. If anything, zoning rules should be made stricter. (For example, for apartment/condo complexes, at least 2 parking spaces should be required per unit as opposed to 1-1.5/unit.)
Lastly, zoning enforcement is lacking. This allows for the proliferation of unpermitted and unsafe housing. (Recently, a fire started in a house in an unpermitted 5 ft. x 7 ft. rented room.) We need more people performing both zoning and health department inspections.
There's a general feeling that our city government doesn't adequately represent the residents of Stamford, and that special interests are calling the shots. As a result, people become disenchanted and disinterested in the political process. Many people do not know what the Board of Reps does or who their representatives are. We need to combat this. We need to give our constituents a sense of ownership of their city and its government. It starts with the simple act of responding to a phone call or an e-mail, so residents feel like they’re being heard.
Moreover, we need to make face time with our constituents (even in a non-election year) by showing up to PTO meetings, neighborhood association meetings, and possibly even hosting multi-district town halls (i.e. a "Cove" town hall, where residents of D4, D8, and D1 are invited). We must also, on occasion, inform our constituents about city ordinances that are being voted on, and how those ordinances will affect our neighborhoods whether that be through contacting the Advocate, e-mail blasts, or flyer distribution.
It’s great that we currently have video recordings of official government meetings. I encourage city residents to watch them and observe who is asking tough questions and raising important concerns. Ideally, the Board of Reps website would be made even easier to navigate, so you could look up how your representatives voted on each ordinance without having to go through several pages of meeting minutes.
Moreover, we need to make face time with our constituents (even in a non-election year) by showing up to PTO meetings, neighborhood association meetings, and possibly even hosting multi-district town halls (i.e. a "Cove" town hall, where residents of D4, D8, and D1 are invited). We must also, on occasion, inform our constituents about city ordinances that are being voted on, and how those ordinances will affect our neighborhoods whether that be through contacting the Advocate, e-mail blasts, or flyer distribution.
It’s great that we currently have video recordings of official government meetings. I encourage city residents to watch them and observe who is asking tough questions and raising important concerns. Ideally, the Board of Reps website would be made even easier to navigate, so you could look up how your representatives voted on each ordinance without having to go through several pages of meeting minutes.
I moved to Stamford in 2015 from Westchester County. My husband and I chose Stamford because of its many amenities, and because the property taxes are more affordable than in Westchester. We specifically chose the Cove due to its proximity to both downtown and the beach.
At first, I got involved in volunteering for political campaigns on the national level. That led me to attend Democratic City Committee meetings and to meet people who were involved in local issues. Inspired by Lyda Ruijter (town clerk candidate), my husband and I joined the Cove Neighborhood Association and also went to several clean-ups in Cummings Park on the weekends.
During the summer of 2016, I went to a Zoning Board meeting that went on for many, many hours concerning the inferior replacement plan of the boatyard in a different location. It was there that I really started to learn about how developers sway our elected officials, and that there's a need for comprehensive change.
A group of us activists helped organize a demonstration in January of 2017 in Mill River Park called “Our First Stand.” Nearly 500 people came out in order to stand up for issues such as women’s rights, LGBT issues, immigrant rights, and expanded access to health care.
I’ve also been to multiple Board of Education meetings, Board of Representatives meetings, and public hearings. (I spoke at the hearing on the Long Ridge development project.)
At first, I got involved in volunteering for political campaigns on the national level. That led me to attend Democratic City Committee meetings and to meet people who were involved in local issues. Inspired by Lyda Ruijter (town clerk candidate), my husband and I joined the Cove Neighborhood Association and also went to several clean-ups in Cummings Park on the weekends.
During the summer of 2016, I went to a Zoning Board meeting that went on for many, many hours concerning the inferior replacement plan of the boatyard in a different location. It was there that I really started to learn about how developers sway our elected officials, and that there's a need for comprehensive change.
A group of us activists helped organize a demonstration in January of 2017 in Mill River Park called “Our First Stand.” Nearly 500 people came out in order to stand up for issues such as women’s rights, LGBT issues, immigrant rights, and expanded access to health care.
I’ve also been to multiple Board of Education meetings, Board of Representatives meetings, and public hearings. (I spoke at the hearing on the Long Ridge development project.)