Candidate Q&A: Richard Shuck, PZC

Several weeks ago, Stafford Free Press sent questions to the Selectmen, Planning & Zoning, Board of Education, and Board of Finance candidates via the Democratic Town Committee and the Republican Town Committee. We gave them a deadline of August 31 and a promise not to edit their answers (even for grammar and spelling). Now, we're sharing the answers we received.

Here are the answers provided by Richard Shuck, an incumbent member of the Planning and Zoning Commission who is seeking re-election.

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Q: Why have you decided to run for the PZC? (If you have previously served on this commission, please tell us for how long.)

A: I am seeking re-election to the Planning and Zoning Commission because I believe continuity and experience are critical when shaping a town’s future. I was elected to the Commission in 2019 and have served for the past six years. Throughout that time, I’ve worked to ensure our regulations protect the town’s character while also making development more accessible to applicants. It’s a delicate balance — supporting economic growth while preserving Stafford’s rural charm — and I believe my record demonstrates that I take that responsibility seriously. My decisions are based on the law, the facts of each application, and what is best for the community.

Q: Could you please tell us a bit about your work history and how it relates to a potential position on the PZC?

A: Over the course of my career, I’ve held a number of roles that give me a broad perspective on land use and development. I’ve worked as a plumber’s apprentice, in residential construction, and in the water treatment industry. I’ve owned and operated an automotive machine shop, worked in the automotive sector, and was a licensed realtor for 15 years. I’ve also served as Stafford’s First Selectman, where I worked directly with land use staff and developers. In more recent years, I served as the Zoning Enforcement Officer in Stafford and currently work full-time as a Zoning Enforcement Officer in another Connecticut municipality. I am a Certified Zoning Enforcement Officer and a Certified Inland Wetlands Agent. I am also trained as a FEMA Floodplain Administrator. These roles have given me deep experience in how planning and zoning decisions affect people’s lives, businesses, and property rights — and the importance of applying regulations fairly and consistently.

Q: Affordable housing has been a topic of much interest at the state and local levels. How can the PZC encourage innovative, affordable housing development?

A: Affordable housing is a complex topic that often gets misunderstood at the local level. In Connecticut, “affordable housing” has a specific legal definition — typically tied to deed restrictions or income-based rent structures — and is governed by state statute 8-30g. Stafford is not exempt from that statute, which means any developer can propose an 8-30g application and bypass many of our local zoning regulations. The Planning and Zoning Commission has limited capacity to require changes or impose conditions on those developments. However, there is a separate conversation around affordability more broadly — housing that is reasonably priced for young families, seniors, and working residents. The Commission can review opportunities to diversify housing types, including multi-family development such as apartments or condominiums, and look for creative solutions in the regulations that allow for market-based affordability without relying on state mandates. One example worth considering could be allowing two primary residences on a single residential lot — a model that supports multi-generational living or smaller homestead-style development. These kinds of updates may help meet real housing needs in Stafford while keeping control at the local level.

Q: How can the PZC help encourage the growth of the business tax base while staying in line with the Plan of Conservation and Development?

A: The Planning and Zoning Commission doesn’t seek out investment or pick winners and losers — our role is regulatory. That means we ensure that all applicants, whether they’re local business owners or out-of-town developers, are treated equally under the same standards. When I was First Selectman, and Dave Palmberg was the Zoning Officer, we worked closely with the Planning and Zoning Commission to update and clarify the regulations. Our goal was to make Stafford more welcoming to business while still preserving what residents love about our town. We helped lay the groundwork for

many of the successful projects that came afterward by creating predictability in the application process. The Commission’s responsibility is to provide clear pathways and consistent rules — not to control spending or policy priorities, which are determined by the Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance, and Board of Education. What we can do is make sure our regulations reflect the Plan of Conservation and Development and allow responsible business growth that fits Stafford’s long-term vision.