Land Use & Zoning

Connecticut General Statues, Chapter 124 Zoning Sec. 8-3b requires Regional Council of Governments to review all proposed zone or zone use changes, affecting a zone of which is located within 500 feet of the boundary of an adjacent municipality or zone change to municipal zoning regulations. Each Council of Governments is charged with reviewing and determining whether the proposed change imposes a regionally significant impact. An excerpt and link to the state statue has been included below:

“When the zoning commission of any municipality proposes to establish or change a zone or any regulation affecting the use of a zone any portion of which is within five hundred feet of the boundary of another municipality, the zoning commission shall give written notice of its proposal to each regional council of governments for the region or regions in which it and the other municipality are located. …The regional council of governments shall study such proposal and shall report its findings and recommendations thereon to the zoning commission…”
https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_124.htm#sec_8-3b

In order to continue thorough and streamlined review of received referrals and amendments, MetroCOG abides by the thirty (30) day submission of referrals to the COG prior to the municipality’s public hearing. This time frame allows for retrieval of referrals/amendments, COG review period, and the ten (10) day draft review and comment period by municipal planning/land use departments.

MetroCOG Process

Upon delivery (electronic or postal) of zoning referrals/amendments from the municipality, MetroCOG staff is statutorily required to send receipt of its receival. Once a receipt has been sent to the Planning & Zoning/Land Use offices, review by MetroCOG staff commences. Staff will review the referral package with consideration to the town’s current zoning regulations and provide an advisory determination to its regional impact/significance. Distribution of MetroCOG’s draft determinations will be sent to the staff contact person and the CEO of each municipality list on file, at which point the 10-day review period begins. Any comments received by MetroCOG during the municipal review period will be incorporated in the final determination letter and returned to the municipality. Zoning referrals/amendments should be emailed to Dclarke@ctmetro.org or mailed to Attn: Devin Clarke 1000 Lafayette Blvd Suite 925 Bridgeport, CT 06604.

Plan of Conservation and Development (Regional/State)

Endorsed by the MetroCOG Board in December of 2015, the Regional POCD is the long-term planning framework for the Greater Bridgeport Region. It provides a broad context in which local and regional decisions can be made that move the region toward a sustainable future – a future with more choices and opportunities for all residents of the region. Development of the POCD must be consistent with provisions of CGS §8-35a

2025 POCD Update

Throughout 2025, MetroCOG will be updating the existing Regional Plan of Conservation and Development (RPOCD). The current plan was approved in December 2015 and will expire in December 2025. An up to date Plan of Conservation and Development is a requirement of The State of Connecticut and must  include recommendations for “land use, housing, principal highways and freeways, bridges, airports, parks, playgrounds, recreational areas, schools, public institutions, public utilities, agriculture and such other matters as will be beneficial to the area.” (Connecticut General Statutes Chapter 127 § 8-35a). MetroCOG will utilize the POCD to holistically plan for and identify regional connections in the areas mentioned above, as well as a variety of transportation modes, neighborhood amenities, natural resources, hazard mitigation, economic development, arts, cultural and historic resources, and civic infrastructure.

June 30, 2025

Connecticut Metropolitan Council of Governments: Regional Plan of Conservation and Development Update

Press Release
Comunicado de Prensa
Kominike Laprès
Comunicado à imprensa