CT SB01073

Regional councils of governments must adopt a plan of conservation and development at least once every ten years for their area of operation, covering land use, housing, infrastructure, parks, schools, utilities, agriculture, and other matters affecting the region.

Plans shall be based on studies of physical, social, economic, and governmental conditions and designed to promote coordinated development, general welfare, and prosperity while encouraging energy-efficient development, renewable energy use, pollution abatement, and technology infrastructure.

Regional plans must identify areas suitable for compact, transit-accessible, pedestrian-oriented mixed-use development and address six growth management principles including redevelopment of regional centers, housing expansion, transportation-focused development, environmental conservation, and cross-governmental planning coordination.

Before adoption, regional councils must hold at least one public hearing with notice given to member municipalities, publish notice in a regional newspaper 10-20 days before the hearing, and post the plan on their website at least 65 days prior while submitting it to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management for review.

The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management must adopt regulations by October 1, 2011, establishing criteria for reviewing regional plans to ensure consistency with state conservation and development plans, with adoption requiring a majority vote of council representatives.