CT Patch Candidate Profile: Alexis P. Harrison For Town Plan & Zoning Commission (2-Year Term)

FAIRFIELD, CT — The 2025 election is heating up in Connecticut and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

Connecticut Patch asked local candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Candidate's Name:
Alexis P. Harrison

What office are you seeking?
Fairfield Town Plan & Zoning Commission - 2 year-term

What town do you live in?
Fairfield, CT

Campaign Website
https://www.fairfieldrtc.com/2025-tpz-candidates

Party Affiliation:
Republican

Occupation:
Corporate Communications Professional

Family:
Three generations of my family live in Fairfield including seniors to working professionals and children attending the Fairfield Public Schools which provides me with a broad view of the unique needs of our residents.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
My sister works for the CT Department of Social Services and my brother-in-law works for the Judicial branch.

Previous public office, appointive or elective:
Yes, I've had the honor of serving on the Fairfield Town Plan & Zoning Commission for the past four years. I am also a former member of the Board of Assessment Appeals and also the Fairfield RTM. I am a former Chairperson of the FairTV Commission.

Why are you seeking this office?
Land is our most finite of resources, and decisions rendered by local zoning commissions on land-use are lasting and permanent. Further, decisions by the TPZ play a critical role in our economic and environmental health and vibrancy. As a Fairfield native, I want to continue to use my experience in land-use, neighborhood advocacy and knowledge of our town to arrive at well-founded decisions. Land-use decisions are not Republican or Democrat or left or right – they impact everyone and everything. If I am re-elected, I will continue to be a voice for our environment, economic development and a diversity of housing while also balancing the unique needs of our neighborhoods in Fairfield.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:
I routinely talk to fellow residents about zoning and planning issues, and concerns vary based on needs, age, income and other factors. Keeping the town diverse is a theme that comes up often which is something that Fairfield continues to work on by providing diverse housing options and a good quality of life. Environmental protection, coastal resiliency and preservation of our unique historical assets is also a topic that is critical, as well as concerns of population growth and redistricting which can be impacted by land-use decisions. More State mandates on zoning and land-use consistently comes up and it's an important matter to have honest conversations about and what their impact can be on Fairfield.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
Development that works for our town, both in terms of providing a diversity of housing, commercial activity, and open space and natural and historic resource preservation. I am a founding member of the non-partisan grassroots group CT169Strong to monitor legislative actions in Hartford and to advocate for local control of land-use decision making. Three years ago, I initiated a bi-monthly newsletter for residents to be informed about matters that come before the zoning commission because I feel very strongly that we need to encourage community engagement and it starts with being informed.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
If reelected, I will continue advocating for our Town by meticulously reviewing individual zoning permits, coastal site plans, and zoning regulation updates — always prioritizing our community's best interests and learning from our residents, neighborhood groups and experts. This includes striking an optimal balance between residential and commercial growth, while safeguarding our environmental and historic resources and proactively planning for climate change impacts.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
I am proud of my years of advocacy, educating and assisting neighborhood groups across the State—primarily in Fairfield—on navigating complex and substantive issues to safeguard our communities. My focus has been on open space preservation and environmental protection, priorities that too often slip to the back burner but will shape our future permanently. I conduct a lot of research and listen and learn from the public before arriving at well-founded decisions. I also monitor legislative bills that chips away at local control of zoning and I advocate for our local communities. Land is inherently local and decisions on land-use must be made by local stakeholders.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Don't let fear hold you back from trying new things.