NVCOG community planning division outlines services, staffing and regional plan work

Savannah, NVCOG’s community planning director (introduced herself at the meeting), presented an overview of the division’s work and capacity. She said the unit currently has four staff members—herself, a senior community planner, a community planner and a housing/community planner—and is recruiting two additional senior planners to expand capacity.

Savannah described core services: legislative analysis on land‑use bills, education and training for staff and commissions, technical assistance (including attending local land use meetings), mapping and data support, and facilitation of comprehensive plan (POCD) updates. She said NVCOG can provide limited comprehensive planning facilitation to a small number of municipalities and is close to contracting with Plymouth.

Referrals and regional plan

Emily (senior team planner) summarized the referrals program: CT municipalities must refer specific land‑use actions for advisory review; the bimonthly referral report (covering Oct. 1–Nov. 30, 2025) is in members’ packets and Emily will present the December/January report in February. The board was urged to appoint or confirm representatives to the regional plan steering committee; Savannah emphasized public engagement and upcoming focus groups (next on Jan. 27 in Beacon Falls).

The division said it will update affordable housing planning offerings to reflect the new housing law and will provide technical assistance for compliance with the special session public act.