Vital Meeting On Southington's Future Is This Week

SOUTHINGTON, CT — Residents concerned about future development in Southington and what direction it could take are urged to attend a special, drop-in forum on Thursday, Sept. 18.

The town's plan of conservation and development subcommittee (POCD committee) is hosting a drop-in forum from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 18.

It will take place in the John Weichsel Municipal Center's assembly room, 196 N. Main St.

There, the POCD committee will offer feedback and take input from residents about their planned update for the Southington plan of conservation and development.

Such plans are mandated by the state, with Southington's last update coming in 2016.

Currently, the town is looking to update the POCD for 2026, with a committee working on that already.

A conservation/development plan is a guidebook, of sorts, for Southington's land-use boards/commissions regarding future development.

Though not a binding document, such a plan is a frequent tool for land-use commissioners when it comes to potential development decisions in town.

As an example, if a town's development plan calls for more affordable housing in town or more commercial development, it could help land-use officials decide applications involving such projects.

Thursday's meeting is "drop-in" style, meaning folks can come in anytime between 4 and 7 p.m. and leave when they wish.

"This drop-in style meeting will provide an opportunity for Southington residents to learn about the upcoming draft POCD and provide comments and feedback without sitting through a formal presentation," wrote the POCD committee.

"Following the initial session, the POCD subcommittee will review and refine the draft plan and will hold another workshop before forwarding it to the planning and zoning commission for consideration and adoption."

Southington POCD Subcommittee Co-Chairperson Jen Clock said the document is vital to the town's future.

"This plan is an important document which will be used to guide future conservation and development activity over the next decade and beyond," she said in a statement.

For more informatoin on the Southington Plan of Conservation and Development, click on this link.