The cold, snowy winter was ideal for hunkering down to write chapters of Darien’s next POCD as identified in the table of contents in the Mid-Winter Update. Over the past several P&Z Commission meetings, we’ve been reviewing draft, text-only chapters of the POCD and then producing revised drafts of the chapters based on members’ comments. We have been converting the revised drafts of the chapters into “designed versions” that include charts, tables, maps, and photographs. There are still several draft, text-only chapters to review with the P&Z Commission.

The schedule below shows when the Draft 2026 POCD will be posted for public review and comment, in addition to other key steps leading up to the public hearing. Completed “designed versions” of chapters of the Draft 2026 POCD may be posted prior to May 7, which is when the complete Draft 2026 POCD will be posted.

• May 7: Draft 2026 POCD to be posted to website for public review
• May 12: P&Z Commission Meeting. Presentation of Draft 2026 POCD
• May 30: Public comment period on Draft 2026 POCD ends
• June 10: Revised Draft 2026 POCD to be posted to website
• June 30: Final Draft 2026 POCD for referral and public hearing
• July 9: Referrals to Board of Selectmen, WestCOG (at least 65 days prior to hearing)
• Aug 10: Post Final 2026 POCD to website (at least 35 days to public hearing)
• Sept 15: Public Hearing

The arctic cold this season has been conducive to hunkering down to write Darien’s next POCD. Here is the working Table of Contents (chapter titles, subheadings, and numbers are subject to change):

1. Introduction
2. Darien Today
   • The Place
   • The People
   • Data Snapshots
   • The Government
   • The Institutions & Organizations
3. Darien Tomorrow
   • Taking Stock: The Town-Wide Survey
   • Identifying & Tabulating Priorities: The Town Planning Workshop
   • Community Engagement Summary: Elements of the Vision
   • Updated Town Plan Vision Statement (Board of Selectman)
4. The State: POCD & Legislation
   • Connecticut Conservation & Development Policies Plan 2025-2030
   • CGS Section 8-23: Updated POCD Requirements
   • New Housing & Land Use Legislation Adopted by the CT State Legislature
5. Darien in the Region
   • 2020-2030 Regional Plan of Conservation
   • Other Relevant WestCOG Plans & Guidance
   • Other Regional Entities
   • Darien’s Neighbors: Stamford, Norwalk, and New Canaan
6. Environment, Climate & Sustainability
7. Transportation & Mobility
8. Community Facilities & Services
9. The Built Environment

We’ve completed preparing drafts of Chapters 1-5, which are the “introductory” chapters of the POCD, and submitted them to the Planning & Zoning Department and Planning & Zoning Commission for review. We’ve received questions and feedback, discussed the draft chapters several P&Z Commission meetings, and made revisions. We will now start preparing each of the “topical” chapters (6-9) and discuss them with the P&Z Department and P&Z Commission in the next two months. We anticipate being ready to share a full draft of the POCD with you in April.

Photo Submissions

Thank you to the five people who submitted photos to us, including Claudia Ebert, whose photo is featured in this post! We are still accepting submissions. See the previous post.