“Ordinarily that would not be in the long-range plan,” Mr Sharpe said, but because a Master Plan Review Committee is currently weighing reuse options, including the topic of housing, EDC members thought “it ought to have mention.” He said, “It’s among points in the plan that we thought were important.”

The EDC planning review is taking place at a time when the Fairfield Hills Master Plan Review Committee is preparing its reassessment report for the Board of Selectmen, which is anticipated for completion in April.

Mr Sharpe felt the PODC should “reflect things today for a roadmap moving ahead.”

“This is a first for them,” said Director of Economic and Community Development Elizabeth Stocker.

Since the town purchased the Fairfield Hills property in 2001, housing on the former state hospital campus has always triggered debate. An original master plan for redevelopment does not include housing as a permitted reuse of the open fields and 80-year-old brick buildings. But since the master plan has come up for its five-year review, a residential aspect to future development is again up for discussion. At the same time, a developer has come to light who has proposed an apartment complex at Cochran House — which prompted action from several committees.

Joining in the discussions on the topic in recent weeks is the Legislative Council, which passed a resolution prompting Fairfield Hills Authority members to hear the details. Soon adding its weight to the debate was the Planning and Zoning Commission, which is considering adding a residential component to its list of adaptive reuses for the campus. A hearing in April will address the subject.