Greenwich to start POCD update with consultant; officials flag housing as top priority

Town planners asked the Budget Committee to begin funding the next Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD), describing housing as the top issue the update must address.

Patrick Luro, director of land use, told the committee the town expects the POCD consultant work to cost about $250,000 in total; the department is requesting roughly one-third of that amount in the coming fiscal year and would request the remaining two-thirds in the following year. He estimated an 18-month timeline to complete the study.

"Housing, housing, and housing," Luro said when asked what the plan’s priorities will be, signaling a focus on increasing unit supply and aligning local goals with recent state legislative direction. He said the municipality will coordinate with WestCOG and neighboring towns to align targets and that the planning & zoning commission will decide whether Greenwich opts into a regional plan or adopts its own municipal plan by the 2028–29 deadline described in the meeting.

Luro also noted state allocation numbers tied to housing mandates were expected soon but might be delayed; he agreed to share formal guidance and a primer from organizations such as the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities and the Connecticut chapter of the American Planning Association.

Why it matters: The POCD guides land-use policy and capital planning; its treatment of housing could affect zoning, capital priorities and eligibility for some state funding streams. A consultant-led POCD also generates analysis that the committee wants in time to consider potential capital implications.

What’s next: The planning & zoning commission will develop the RFP for consultant selection; land use will keep the budget committee and BET informed as allocations and regional targets become available.