Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments
Land Use & Zoning
Regional land use planning in Connecticut is a collaborative effort that helps communities grow in smart, sustainable ways. RiverCOG staff works with member municipalities to coordinate development, preserve natural resources, and guide infrastructure investments across municipal boundaries. This planning process considers things like housing, transportation, economic development, and environmental protection to ensure that growth and investment align with regional goals and local needs. By sharing data, engaging stakeholders, and creating long-range strategies, regional land use planning supports vibrant, resilient communities in the lower Connecticut River valley.
In Connecticut, the preeminent regional land use plan is the Regional Plan of Conservation and Development (RPOCD), which each Council of Governments (COG) is required by state law to prepare at least once every ten years. This mandate is outlined in Section 8-35a of the Connecticut General Statutes.
RiverCOG’s RPOCD was adopted in 2021. It was organized around the four themes of Sustainable, Innovative, Connected, and Community, and provides recommendations and strategies to support regional goals and priorities.
Regional Plan of Conservation and Development
The Regional Plan of Conservation and Development (RPOCD) is a visionary land use plan intended to identify and address issues of regional concern; making recommendations for cooperative, voluntary action. The RPOCD is intended to be used by RiverCOG, the Region’s land use commissions, municipal governments, and state agencies.