*UPDATE*
Public Act 09-230 requires the Continuing Legislative Committee on State Planning and Development (Continuing Committee) to undertake a comprehensive study of the process to develop, adopt and implement the Conservation and Development Policies Plan for Connecticut (State C&D Plan) and to report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly by February 1, 2010. The Act requires the Continuing Committee to consult with municipalities, regional planning organizations, state agencies, the public, and other stakeholders when it conducts the study.
The Act also delays the initiation of the next State C&D Plan revision process to allow time for the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) to address recommendations stemming from the Continuing Committee’s study. The Act requires OPM to develop the next Draft State C&D Plan in accordance with the following schedule, so that the General Assembly can consider it for adoption during the 2012 legislative session:
1) Prepare and submit an initial Draft State C&D Plan by September 1, 2010 to the Continuing Committee for a 90-day review;
2) Publish a revised Draft State C&D Plan by March 1, 2011, and hold public hearings across the state to solicit comments over the following 5-month period; and
3) Submit a recommended Draft State C&D Plan to the Continuing Committee by December 1, 2011 after considering public comments.
Introduction and Overview
In accordance with Sections 16a-24 through 16a-33 of the Connecticut General Statutes, the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) is required to prepare a State plan of conservation and development on a recurring five-year cycle. The Plan serves as a statement of the development, resource management and public investment policies for the State. The Plan is used as a framework for evaluating plans and proposals submitted to OPM for review through mandated review processes.
Specific requirements set forth in Section 16a-31 of the Connecticut General Statutes include the following:
1. State agencies are directed to consider the Plan when they prepare agency plans. In addition, agency prepared plans, when required by state or federal law, are to be submitted to the OPM for a review of conformity with the Plan.
2. State agencies are required to be consistent with the Plan when undertaking the following actions:
a) The acquisition of real property when the acquisition costs are in excess of two hundred thousand dollars*;
b) The development or improvement of real property when the development costs are in excess of two hundred thousand dollars*;
c) The acquisition of public transportation equipment or facilities when the acquisition costs are in excess of two hundred thousand dollars*; and
d) The authorization of any state grant for an amount in excess of two hundred thousand dollars* for the acquisition, development, or improvement of real property or for the acquisition of public transportation equipment or facilities.
3. The Secretary of OPM submits to the State Bond Commission, prior to the allocation of any bond funds for any of the above actions, an advisory statement commenting on the extent to which such action conforms to the Plan.
* Public Act 07-239 has increased this amount from $100,000 to $200,000 effective July 1, 2007.
