Related to our recent post, East Hartford Set to Destroy Another 47.3 Wooded Acres for development, East Hartford is updating its Plan of Conservation & Development for 2024, as are towns and regional planning organizations across the state. The POCD is a state-mandated planning document to guide conservation and development for the next 10 years in each town. The update is a big lift. Most, if not all, towns use consultants to guide the process. East Hartford's using Susan Favate from BFJ Planning.
East Hartford looks to be doing a respectable job of creating opportunity for citizens to be part of the process. But are local environmental champions weighing in? Doesn't look that way! We saw just 3 comments submitted on Environment & Sustainability on the Idea Wall.
The other major problem is the 4 update documents posted so far contain just two references to climate - in 83 pages. Cripes. The two chapters on Natural Resources and Open Space are going to need a lot more help than that.
The conservation part of the plan is routinely ignored or brushed aside by deep-pocketed developers who take advantage of residents not paying attention, not speaking up, and not organizing. Local officials end up thinking you don't care.
Next thing you know, your local woods was cut down overnight to be replaced by an anti-environmental eyesore that lines some developer's pockets. At everyone else's expense. (Re: East Hartford Set to Destroy Another 47.3 Wooded Acres).
Which means NOW is the time for anyone in East Hartford who cares about the environment to get moving and say so. Use the Idea Wall to emphasize that it's imperative that the next POCD aggressively address climate change with nature based solutions, including land conservation. You could also suggest that citizens rate the town's progress on its POCD goals - for the previous plan and annually going forward.
Don't just sit there - take action!
- ✍Use the Idea Wall to emphasize that it's imperative that the next POCD aggressively address climate change with nature based solutions, including land conservation.
- 👉Send a copy of those comments to the town planning staff and the Planning & Zoning Commission too. Say that destroying 47 acres of woodlands is not preserving natural resources and not what the environment needs, and that adaptive re-use of property for housing is the only climate-friendly way to go.
- Eileen Buckheit Development Director (860) 291-7303.
- Michael Daniels Economic Development Coordinator (860) 291-7299.
- Carlene Shaw Town Planner (860) 291-7301.
- Steve Hnatuk Deputy Director of Development 860-291-7302.
- 📅The next POCD update meeting is January 10. Get involved, East Hartford! See Online Meetings Streaming / Videos
- 📰Subscribe for East Hartford News and Alerts to stay updated on the POCD and plans for new development projects.