State Commission on CT's Development and Future Seeking Applicants for Working Groups

December 15, 2021

The state's recently-formed 36-member Commission on Connecticut's Development and Future is soliciting applications from the public to serve on working groups to make policy recommendations relating to land use, conservation, housing affordability, and infrastructure.

The Commission held its first meeting on Tuesday, December 7. House Majority Leader Jason Rojas (D – East Hartford, Manchester) and Connecticut Office of Policy and Management Secretary Melissa McCaw serve as Commission Co-Chairs. The Commission is comprised of members appointed by the Governor and legislative leaders, representatives from six state agencies, and the chairs and ranking members of four legislative committees.

"This Commission is going to play a vital role in exploring how existing statutes concerning land use, environmental impact, transportation, and housing impact equity and opportunity in Connecticut. We want to ensure all residents can benefit from policy decisions to create a prosperous future where our state economy works for all," said Majority Leader Rojas. "Members of the working groups will serve a vital role in helping the Commission work towards the shared vision of a more equitable state where zip codes aren't barriers to opportunity."

“The issues facing this commission—land use, conservation, housing affordability, infrastructure—are at their core, issues that are a focus of making Connecticut a more affordable place to live, investing in our future, and creating an economy that works for all,” said Secretary McCaw. “Where we live can impact the educational and economic opportunities our residents can access. It is hard to overstate the importance of this commission and its work to pull together voices from across the state to help us understand and evaluate existing land use provisions. Joining a subcommittee means playing a vital role in helping to determine what laws and policies we need to grow and thrive together.” 

The Commission is established through a 2021 zoning and land use bill that takes steps to empower municipal zoning and land use officials to create local regulations addressing housing, land use, conservation and infrastructure to build a more robust and resilient economy.

The legislation permits the chairs to appoint commission members and nonmembers to serve on the working groups. The established working groups include:

  • State and Municipal Statutory Plan Process
  • Model Code and Design Development
  • State Consolidated Housing Plan
  • Municipal Affordable Housing Plans
  • Wastewater/Sewerage Systems

Individuals who are interested in applying to serve on a working group can complete an application and learn more by visiting https://bit.ly/3lQLN9h. The deadline to apply is December 28, 2021. Interested residents can email Jason.Rojas@cga.ct.gov for further details.

Watch the meeting below: