REGIONAL CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT PLAN
This section is an interim report of GBRPA's Regional Conservation and Development plan update for the Greater Bridgeport Planning Region to satisfy section 8-35a of the General Statutes. GBRPA established a regional growth management plan as a part of a new Regional Conservation and Development Plan 2006 to meet requirements of public Act 05-205.
CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT POLICIES PLAN FOR CONNECTICUT, 2005 - 2010
The Conservation and Development Policies Plan for Connecticut, 2005-2010 (C&D Plan) is comprised of two separate components – the Plan text and the Locational Guide Map - The Map is based on digital and demographic data developed by the Department of Environmental Protection, the Office of Policy and Management, the Department of Economic and Community Development, and the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census.
Click link below for more information regarding the C&D Plan and Locational Guide Map available for download.
TO: Region’s Municipal Planning & Zoning Commissions
FROM: James T. Wang, Executive Director
DATE: August 23, 2005
RE: Public Act 05-205
As you may be aware, Public Act 05-205 An Act Concerning Plans of Conservation and Development has been signed into law in 2005 General Assembly session. Attached please find an analysis of Impacts on Regional Planning Organizations prepared by the State Office of Policy Management.
Under Section 2 of this Act, Section 1(f), which pertains to municipal plans, also will impact RPAs and their responsibilities.
This section requires the municipality to submit their proposed plan to the RPA 35 days prior to public hearing. The RPA is required to submit an advisory report and comments to the municipal commission prior to the public hearing. These comments shall “include a finding on the consistency of the draft plan with (1) the regional plan of development, adopted under section 8-35a, as amended by this act, (2) the state plan of conservation and development, adopted pursuant to chapter 297, and (3) the plans of conservation and development of other municipalities in the area of operation of the regional planning agency”.
PUBLIC ACT 05-205
AN ACT CONCERNING PLANS OF CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT
Analysis of Impacts on Regional Planning Organizations
Section 2 of the Public Act revises Section 8-35a of the Connecticut General Statutes pertaining to Regional Planning Agency’s Regional Plans of Conservation and Development. Section 2 includes subsections (a), (b), (c) and (d). An analysis of changes to those subsections is as follows:
Section 2(a) – Requires each RPO, “at least once every ten years”, to make a plan of development. Recommendations for the general use of the area must now include agricultural uses in addition to the other uses such as “land use, housing, principal highways………………”, that were previously required. This section also now requires regional plans to “identify areas where it is feasible and prudent (1) to have compact, transit accessible, pedestrian-oriented mixed use development patterns and land reuse, and (2) to promote such development patterns and land reuse”. Finally, this section requires the regional plan to note any inconsistencies it has with the following six growth management principles:
(A) Redevelop and revitalization of regional centers and areas of mixed land uses with existing or planned physical infrastructure;
(B) Expansion of housing opportunities and design choices to accommodate a variety of household types and needs;
(C) Concentration of development around transportation nodes and along major transportation corridors to support the viability of transportation options and land reuse;
(D) Conservation and restoration of the natural environment, cultural and historical resources and traditional rural lands;
(E) Protection of environmental assets critical to public health and safety; and
(F) Integration of planning across all levels of government to address issues on a local, regional and state-wide basis.
These six growth management principles were used as the basis for the Conservation and Development Policies Plan for Connecticut 2005 – 2010, as adopted by the General Assembly this past 2005 legislative session.
Section 2(b) – This section requires RPAs to place the proposed plan on the internet website of the RPA (if any) at least 65 days prior to the public hearing on the plan, and also must submit the Plan to OPM for comments and recommendations. OPM’s review will “determine if the proposed regional plan of development is not inconsistent with the state plan of conservation and development”. The RPA is required to note on the record any inconsistency with the state plan and reasons for such inconsistency, and must notify OPM of any inconsistency with the state plan and reasons therefore.
Section 2(c) – This new section requires RPAs to revise their plan of development not more than three years after the effective date of this section, which is July 1, 2005.
Section 2(d) – This section was previously (c), but with the new (c) as above is changed to section (d). Other than this, there are no changes to this section which outlines the RPA responsibilities in assisting municipalities within their regions, or other public and private agencies in carrying out regional plans.
In addition to the new requirements under Section 2 of Public Act 05-205, Section 1(f) of the Act, which pertains to municipal plans also will impact RPAs and their responsibilities. This section requires the municipality to submit their proposed plan to the RPA 35 days prior to public hearing. The RPA is required to submit an advisory report and comments to the municipal commission prior to the public hearing. These comments shall “include a finding on the consistency of the draft plan with (1) the regional plan of development, adopted under section 8-35a, as amended by this act, (2) the state plan of conservation and development, adopted pursuant to chapter 297, and (3) the plans of conservation and development of other municipalities in the area of operation of the regional planning agency”.