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Stratford Election 2025: Claire Barber Running For Planning Commission

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  Published in Politics and Government on Wednesday, October 8th 2025 at 13:30 GMT by Patch
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Claire Barber Announces Bid for Stratford’s Planning Commission in 2025 Election

The City of Stratford, Connecticut, is gearing up for a pivotal election in 2025, and one of the most talked‑about races on the ballot is the two‑seat Planning Commission. On February 28, 2025, longtime community advocate Claire Barber officially announced her candidacy for one of those seats, promising to bring a fresh, inclusive voice to the body that steers the city’s land‑use decisions, zoning updates, and historic preservation efforts.

Who is Claire Barber?

Barber is a native of Stratford, having grown up in the South Stratford neighborhood and earned a B.A. in Environmental Studies from the University of Connecticut. She’s spent the last decade working in community development—first as a project coordinator for the Stratford Neighborhood Center, then as a volunteer on the Downtown Revitalization Committee. “I’ve seen how the city’s planning decisions directly affect everyday residents,” she told Patch, “and I want to make sure those decisions are made with the community’s best interests at heart.”

Barber’s résumé also includes a stint on the Stratford City Council (2018–2020), where she served on the Planning and Zoning subcommittee. Her experience gives her a clear grasp of the city’s current zoning code, the complexities of the State Planning and Development Authority (SPDA) guidelines, and the challenges of balancing growth with preservation.

What’s the Planning Commission’s Role?

The Planning Commission is the city’s policy‑making arm when it comes to land use. The commission reviews zoning changes, subdivision plans, and major development proposals. It also provides the initial approval for projects that must be reviewed by the Board of Education or the Board of Directors. A typical agenda item might include a request to rezone a mixed‑use site on Main Street or to re‑classify a vacant lot near the waterfront for residential use.

The commission’s decisions carry significant weight: they shape traffic patterns, housing supply, the character of neighborhoods, and the city’s ability to attract new businesses. With the current council term ending in 2026, the 2025 election is a critical juncture for residents who want to influence those outcomes.

Barber’s Platform

In her launch announcement, Barber outlined a four‑point agenda:

1. Community‑Centered Development – She pledged to give more voice to residents in planning decisions, proposing a new “Neighborhood Advisory Board” that would meet monthly to discuss zoning requests and development proposals affecting their area.

2. Historic Preservation – Stratford is home to several historic districts, including the Old City and the Seaview district. Barber vowed to protect those areas from over‑development and to encourage the preservation of 19th‑century brickwork and colonial architecture through incentives and stricter review processes.

3. Affordable Housing – Recognizing the city’s housing affordability crisis, Barber called for a new policy to require a portion of new residential developments to be set aside as affordable units. She also plans to work with the Connecticut Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to secure funding for low‑income housing.

4. Sustainability and Resilience – The rising threat of climate change has made it essential to incorporate green infrastructure into the city’s planning. Barber proposes a city‑wide “Green Streets” initiative, which would require new developments to include permeable paving, rain gardens, and tree canopy expansions.

Barber’s campaign website (link provided in the article) lists detailed policy proposals, a calendar of upcoming town‑hall events, and ways to volunteer. The website also includes a downloadable PDF of the city’s current zoning map, which allows constituents to see how Barber’s proposed changes would impact specific parcels.

Election Timeline

The Patch article includes a handy timeline (sourced from the City of Stratford’s official elections page) that outlines key dates:

• May 1, 2024 – Deadline to file candidacy petitions.
• June 15, 2024 – Filing of the official campaign platform documents.
• August 12, 2024 – Primary election, where the top two candidates from each party advance.
• November 5, 2025 – General election for the Planning Commission seats.

Barber’s candidacy falls in the Democratic field. She’s currently facing two other Democratic challengers: local business owner Marcus Reyes and city clerk Amanda Gordon. Both candidates have campaigned on issues of economic development and transparency, respectively. The Republican side has a single candidate, former councilman David Miller, who plans to focus on deregulation and reducing city spending.

How to Get Involved

Patch encourages readers to take an active role in the upcoming election. For those interested in volunteering, Barber’s campaign has set up a volunteer sign‑up page that lists:

• Canvassing – Going door‑to‑door to talk residents about the Planning Commission’s impact.
• Phone Banking – Calling voters to discuss Barber’s platform and answer questions.
• Social Media Outreach – Spreading Barber’s key messages on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

The article also highlights a town‑hall event slated for March 15, 2025, at the Stratford Community Center. The event will feature a panel of city planners, a Q&A with Barber, and a workshop on how residents can influence planning decisions. Registration details and a Zoom link are available on the city’s website.

Links for Further Information

1. City of Stratford Election Calendar – Provides official election dates, filing deadlines, and voter registration info.
2. Stratford Planning Commission Page – Offers a breakdown of current projects under review and the commission’s bylaws.
3. Claire Barber’s Campaign Website – Houses policy documents, volunteer sign‑ups, and contact information.
4. Connecticut State Planning and Development Authority (SPDA) – Explains state-level zoning guidelines that impact city planning.
5. UConn Environmental Studies Alumni Network – Offers insight into Barber’s academic background and early career.

These resources are linked in the Patch article and are invaluable for residents who want to understand the mechanics of local planning, the stakes of the upcoming election, and how to take action.

Why It Matters

The Planning Commission may not have the same high‑profile visibility as the City Council, but its decisions reverberate across Stratford’s entire urban fabric. From the layout of a new housing development on the waterfront to the placement of a community park in South Stratford, the commission’s approvals or rejections shape how residents live, work, and play.

Barber’s platform underscores a growing trend in Connecticut politics: the push for inclusive, transparent, and environmentally responsible planning. By giving the city’s residents a stronger voice in the zoning process, she aims to make Stratford a more equitable and resilient place for all.

With the 2025 election just over a year away, the race for the Planning Commission promises to be one of the city’s most consequential contests. Whether you’re a resident of the Old City, a small‑business owner on Main Street, or simply someone who cares about how Stratford will grow, the outcome of this race deserves your attention—and your vote.