Introduction to Planning & Zoning

            The role of the Planning and Zoning Commission is to ensure that changes in the Town of Clinton are in harmony with the heritage of our town and the outlook for the future. We do this by coordinating the long term planning for the town and then developing regulations that support these decisions. Most importantly, we depend on input from the community, both individuals and groups, to develop the plans and regulations for the town.

             Our chief planning document is the Town Plan of Conservation and Development. This document must be up-dated at least every 10 years. We develop the plan by eliciting information from the community and examining the progress on issues from the past. Once we have a good draft document formal public hearings are held to provide a chance for additional comments. When the final document is approved, it becomes the template our town will use to evaluate any proposed changes.

             The goals of the Town Plan of Conservation and Development need to be supported by regulations that promote the desired activities in each specific area of the town. The Planning and Zoning Commission is responsible for two sets of regulations, Zoning Regulations of the Town of Clinton, Connecticut and Subdivision Regulations of the Town of Clinton, Connecticut. Based on the Town Plan and concerns brought to our attention, we carefully amend and modify both sets of regulations. These regulations seek to balance the rights of individual property owners with rights of other property owners in the area as well as the overall plan for the town.

             Large projects and projects that have special circumstances have to come to the commission for approval.  Depending on the proposal the regulations will determine if a public hearing is held. The Commission has to determine if the project is consistent with the regulations and the town plan. Decisions of approval or denial are made solely on the consistency of the project with the regulations and plan in effect on the day the proposal was submitted. We cannot block a project just because we don’t like it or because there is an angry public hearing. These issues can be used to help us develop new regulations that would impact future development. This brings us full circle to our need to hear from all sides of the Town of Clinton.

Calendars

Meetings/Agendas

Planning & Zoning Commission Members

Forms