Vernon Plan Of Conservation And Development Officially Adopted

VERNON, CT — The Town of Vernon Planning and Zoning Commission has officially adopted the 2021 Plan of Conservation and Development for the town.

The planning document will guide land use decisions over the next decade, town officials said.

The Commission adopted the plan, in accordance with state law, at its meeting on Nov. 4. The adoption follows a robust public participation process, which included a community survey, stakeholder meetings, two community input sessions, and a formal public hearing.

The Plan of Conservation and Development is a document that provides a long-term vision for a community and guides land use boards and the community as they make decisions about growth, development, conservation and capital improvements during the coming decade. Cities and towns across Connecticut update these documents every 10 years.

"It is important to plan for the sustainability of our community," Vernon Mayor Daniel Champagne said. "Now that the Planning and Zoning Commission has carried out this valuable process, engaged the public and worked to develop this new plan, our community is better-prepared for the future."

The Planning and Zoning Commission has worked for months to evaluate the existing plan and develop a new guide for development and other decisions in Vernon, commission chair Roland Klee said.

"The 2021 POCD update builds upon previous planning documents and offers clear goals and strategies for Vernon to pursue over the 10-year planning horizon," Klee said.

The specific strategies are included in a detailed "implementation" chapter, which identifies short, medium, and long-range actions.

"Accomplishing specific implementation activities are critical to realizing the plan’s vision over the next 10 years and beyond," Vernon Town Planner George McGregor said. He was tasked with managing the POCD process.

A link to the adopted plan and related to documents can be found on the Town website, www.vernon-ct.gov.