The Regional Plan of Conservation & Development presents general recommendations for the future physical development of the Central Naugatuck Valley Region and its municipalities. Its purpose is to recommend policies that will guide the Region in preparing for future change.

The Regional Plan of Conservation & Development is an advisory document that is intended to:

The Regional Plan will guide Council of Governments of the Central Naugatuck Valley (COGCNV) in setting priorities, reviewing state, regional and local proposals, implementing programs, and assisting member communities. The Regional Plan is used by COGCNV to review:

Recommendations in the Regional Plan are also meant to guide residents and decision makers when:

There are both legal and practical reasons for preparing a Regional Plan of Conservation and Development. Connecticut State Statute 8-35a mandates that regional planning agencies prepare such a plan every ten years. Since the previous plan was adopted in 1998, COGCNV is required to adopt a new Regional Plan in 2008.

On the practical side, a Regional Plan provides a metropolitan perspective for addressing development and conservation issues. It provides planning linkages between towns. Moreover, some development issues and functions can be addressed more effectively at the regional level. Many issues - water quality, water supply, transportation, economy - transcend municipal boundaries. Economic competition is on a global scale, and the smallest geographic area for competing on the global stage is the metropolitan area or region. And finally, we live in a regional community. Each town in the region relies on other towns within the region for employment, housing, retail, healthcare, and other services and needs.