SB 9 (Public Act 25-33) requires POCD climate considerations, geospatial data — RPC staff brief commissioners

Sonia, who provided the RPC summary, told commissioners that Public Act 25-33 (commonly referred to as SB 9) contains provisions affecting municipal planning and zoning.

"It's all available on our website, so you can read the full summary by clicking that QR code," Sonia said while outlining key sections. She said municipalities adopting Plans of Conservation and Development on or after Oct. 1 must consider federal and state-established hazard and climate projections, identify vulnerable areas and critical infrastructure, and adopt goals and policies to avoid or reduce climate-induced threats.

Sonia also highlighted a requirement that municipal planning commissions submit geospatial data to the Office of Policy and Management within 60 days of POCD adoption and noted that zoning regulations must consider sea-level-change scenarios where relevant to tidal flooding in the Connecticut River.

Commissioners asked whether the new requirements would be handled by their current consultants and whether resiliency improvement districts (an optional program discussed in the bill) were relevant. Staff said consultants should be expected to incorporate the new requirements and that resiliency improvement districts remain an optional tool that some towns might pursue separately.

Heidi and other staff said the regional housing-strategy work will consider what towns already do in zoning and what is effective, and they noted state funding and subsidy programs remain a vital part of producing affordable housing.

Staff made slide materials and a QR code available for follow-up, and Sonia invited commissioners to ask questions or contact staff for more detailed implementation guidance.