Eyes on the Future: The 2026 POCD
Photo by Sandy Alexander
“Nurture, Celebrate and Sustain Stonington”
The Town of Stonington has adopted our updated Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) for 2026. The POCD is updated once every ten years to ensure our vision and goals remain aligned with the evolving needs of the community.
Connecticut law (CGS §8-23) requires every municipality to update its POCD at least once every ten years. The plan is the town's blueprint for land use, natural resources, housing, economic development, and public services, and it guides local decisions and capital investments. The 2026 plan's theme is to "Nurture, Celebrate, and Sustain Stonington," and its goals include expanding housing diversity and affordability, supporting local businesses, and addressing needs related to pedestrians, bicyclists, roadways, transit, and parking. The town has prepared the update with the consulting firm SLR.
It has been noted that eleven years have passed since the last POCD in 2015. That extra 12 months were needed to address the concerns raised by many about the pace and direction of Stonington’s growth.
What happened during the year:
April 29, 2025 — A community survey launched followed by open houses on July 22 and August 26, 2025, with further sessions and neighborhood meetings planned into the fall.
May 20, 2026 — Draft released. The 117-page draft POCD was filed with the Town Clerk and posted for public review.
June 2, 2026 — Commission action. The Planning and Zoning Commission found the draft substantially complete on a 5–0 vote and scheduled the public hearing for August 4.
August 4, 2026 — First public hearing. Dozens of residents turned out, raising concerns about the roughly 400 properties the draft's Future Land Use Map recommends for higher-density designations, climate resilience goals, and public notice of the changes. The commission agreed to seek more notice time and continued the hearing. Amendments proposed in response to comments addressed transit expansion from New London to Westerly, water quality, coastal waterways, and clean energy.
August 18, 2026 — Continued hearing. The commission reviewed a further revised Future Land Use Map.
September 1 and 15, 2026 — Revision and adoption hearings. The town posted a proposed revisions packet for a September 1 hearing and potential adoption, and the adoption hearing was continued to September 15 at the Board of Education office in Mystic.
The Next Ten Years
Stonington has always been a dynamic and progressive town, with an engaged and informed populace who care deeply about the quality of life here, the principals of equity, a judicious and compassionate government. The Town relies on over 100 volunteers to serve across over 30 active boards, committees, commissions, and authorities to help advise, manage, and regulate town matters. If you are looking to get involved in Stonington’s future or want to see current openings, you can review the latest list of openings here: