Sec. 8-31. Formation. Representation. Section 8-31 is repealed. Sec. 8-31a. Formation of regional planning agencies. Representation. Within
any planning region of the state as defined or redefined by the Secretary of the Office
of Policy and Management, or his designee under the provisions of section 16a-4a a
regional planning agency may be created by the adoption of sections 8-31a to 8-37a,
inclusive, by ordinance of the legislative bodies of two or more towns, cities or boroughs
within such region, provided the total number of representatives of such towns, cities
or boroughs shall equal sixty per cent or more of the total number of representatives
possible of all the towns, cities or boroughs within such region computed as prescribed
in this section. Any other town, city or borough within such region may join such regional
planning agency by the adoption of said sections by ordinance of its legislative body.
Each town, city or borough within such region, except as provided herein, shall be
entitled to two representatives on such agency and shall be entitled to additional representation on such agency at the ratio of one representative for each fifty thousand of
population or fraction thereof over and above a population of twenty-five thousand as
determined by the last-completed federal census. Cities and boroughs with boundaries
not coterminous with the boundaries of the town in which they are located, upon adoption
of the provisions of said sections, may have one representative on such agency provided
the population of the city or borough is greater than fifty per cent of the total population
of the town as determined by the last-completed federal census, and the town, upon
adoption of the provisions of said sections, may have one representative on such agency.
If the total population of the town is greater than twenty-five thousand, the town may
elect or appoint the extra representative or representatives as prescribed above, except
that, for each fifty thousand population residing in the city or borough, the city or borough
may have one additional representative. Noncoterminous cities or boroughs which do
not contain fifty per cent or more of the total population of the town in which they are
located shall not adopt the provisions of said sections and shall not join such regional
planning agency. Where a planning commission exists in a town, city or borough established under the provisions of the general statutes or any special act, at least one of the
representatives from such town, city or borough to the regional planning agency shall
be appointed by such planning commission. The other representative or representatives
shall be elected or appointed in the manner provided by ordinance adopted by the legislative body of such town, city or borough. Sec. 8-32. Jurisdiction. Section 8-32 is repealed. Sec. 8-32a. Jurisdiction. Extension to contiguous municipality. The area of operation of such agency shall be coterminous with the area of such planning region as
defined or redefined by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, or his
designee. Any town, city or borough which is contiguous to the area of operation of a
regional planning agency and is not located within any defined region may, by vote of
its legislative body, petition such regional planning agency requesting inclusion in the
area of operation of such agency. The regional planning agency shall forward such
petition to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, or his designee and
it shall be accompanied by a report from the regional planning agency with recommendations regarding the same. The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, or his
designee shall study such petition and report and may redefine such region to include
the town, city or borough which has submitted the petition. If the redefinition is made,
the area of operation of such agency shall be extended accordingly, and such town, city
or borough may join such regional planning agency by adoption of sections 8-31a to 8-
37a, inclusive, by ordinance of its legislative body. Sec. 8-33. Termination. Section 8-33 is repealed. Sec. 8-33a. Officers of agency. Bylaws. Meetings. Annual report. The regional
planning agency shall annually elect from among its members a chairman, a treasurer,
who shall be bonded, and such other officers as the agency determines. Bylaws shall
be adopted by the agency. All meetings of the agency shall be held at the call of the
chairman and at such other times as the agency determines. The treasurer shall receive
all funds and moneys of the agency and shall pay out the same only in accordance with
the bylaws and within limits of such receipts. The agency shall keep minutes of all its
meetings and official actions, which minutes shall be filed in the office of the agency
and shall be a public record. Each regional planning agency shall file an annual report
with the chief executive officers, town, city or borough clerks, as the case may be,
and planning commissions, if any, of member towns, cities or boroughs, and with the
Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, or his designee. Sec. 8-34. Withdrawal from regional planning authority. Section 8-34 is repealed. Sec. 8-34a. Receipt of funds. Dues. Borrowing. Employees and consultants.
Contracts. Audits. Any regional planning agency established under the provisions of
sections 8-31a to 8-37a, inclusive, is authorized to receive for its own uses and purposes
any funds from any source, including the state and federal governments, and including
bequests, gifts or contributions made by any individual, corporation or association. Any
town, city or borough participating in a regional planning agency shall annually appropriate funds for the expenses of such agency in the performance of its purposes. Such
funds shall be appropriated and paid in accordance with a dues formula established by
the regional agency. Such agency may withhold any services it deems advisable from
any town, city or borough which has failed to pay such dues. Such regional planning
agency may from time to time borrow in anticipation of any funds it is authorized to
receive under this section and may issue temporary notes for such purpose provided
that (1) such agency has received a specific, legally enforceable, written commitment
from the state or federal government, individual, corporation or association as to the
amount and the approximate date of receipt of such funds, (2) such funds shall be used
only to meet current operating expenses, (3) a majority of the representatives of the
participating towns, cities and boroughs approve such borrowing at a meeting of such
agency called pursuant to section 8-33a and (4) a majority of such towns, cities and
boroughs, voting by their representatives at such meeting, also approve such borrowing.
Within the amounts so received an agency may engage employees and contract with
professional consultants, municipalities, the state and the federal governments, other
regional councils of governments, regional councils of elected officials, regional planning and other intertown, regional or metropolitan agencies, or with any one or more
of them and may enter into contracts from time to time to carry out its purpose. The
accounts of any regional planning agency shall be subject to an annual audit under the
provisions of the Municipal Auditing Act. Sec. 8-35. Officers of board. Meetings. Section 8-35 is repealed. Sec. 8-35a. Plan of development. Assistance to municipalities or other public
agencies. Each regional planning agency shall make a plan of development for its area
of operation, showing its recommendations for the general use of the area including land
use, housing, principal highways and freeways, bridges, airports, parks, playgrounds,
recreational areas, schools, public institutions, public utilities and such other matters
as, in the opinion of the agency, will be beneficial to the area. Any regional plan so
developed shall be based on studies of physical, social, economic and governmental
conditions and trends and shall be designed to promote with the greatest efficiency and
economy the coordinated development of its area of operation and the general welfare
and prosperity of its people. Such plan may encourage energy-efficient patterns of development, the use of solar and other renewable forms of energy, and energy conservation.
Such plan shall be designed to promote abatement of the pollution of the waters and air
of the region. The plan of each region contiguous to Long Island Sound shall be designed
to reduce hypoxia, pathogens, toxic contaminants and floatable debris in Long Island
Sound. Before adopting the regional plan of development or any part thereof or amendment thereto the agency shall hold at least one public hearing thereon, notice of the time,
place and subject of which shall be given in writing to the chief executive officer and
planning commission, where one exists, of each member town, city or borough, and to
the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, or his designee. Notice of the
time, place and subject of such hearing shall be published once in a newspaper having
a substantial circulation in the region. Such notices shall be given not more than twenty
days nor less than ten days before such hearing. Adoption of the plan or part thereof or
amendment thereto shall be made by the affirmative vote of not less than a majority of
the representatives on the agency. A copy of the plan or of any amendments thereto,
signed by the chairman of the agency, shall be transmitted to the chief executive officers,
the town, city or borough clerks, as the case may be, and to planning commissions, if
any, in member towns, cities or boroughs, and to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and
Management, or his designee. The regional planning agency shall assist municipalities
within its region and state agencies and may assist other public and private agencies in
developing and carrying out any regional plan or plans of such regional planning agency.
The regional planning agency may provide administrative, management, technical or
planning assistance to municipalities within its region and other public agencies under
such terms as it may determine, provided, prior to entering into an agreement for assistance to any municipality or other public agency, the regional planning agency shall
have adopted a policy governing such assistance. The regional planning agency may
be compensated by the municipality or other public agency with which an agreement
for assistance has been made for all or part of the cost of such assistance. Sec. 8-35b. Recommendations for metropolitan, regional or intermunicipal
arrangements. A regional planning agency may make recommendations to the municipalities within its area of operation for such metropolitan, regional or intermunicipal
arrangements for the most efficient and economical development or operation of public
facilities or services as it deems desirable for the economic and social welfare of the
region and the municipalities located therein. Sec. 8-35c. Feasibility studies for municipalities. Whenever any municipality is
considering the feasibility of developing or operating a physical facility and services,
the regional planning agency may, upon request from such municipality, render assistance by making studies and recommendations and may make contractual arrangements
with the municipality for the conduct of such studies. Sec. 8-35d. Referral of proposal for interlocal agreement or formation of district to regional planning agency. Section 8-35d is repealed. Sec. 8-35e. Interagency committees and staff sharing. (a) Two or more regional
planning agencies may establish one or more interagency committees to recommend
policies relating to matters of an interregional nature, provided each participating agency
shall have first adopted a resolution authorizing establishment of any such interagency
committees and defining the scope of its duties. Sec. 8-36. Authority to receive funds. Employees and consultants. Section 8-
36 is repealed. Sec. 8-36a. Withdrawal from agency. Any town, city or borough which has
adopted the provisions of sections 8-31a to 8-37a, inclusive, may withdraw from such
regional planning agency but only six months after the legislative body of such town,
city or borough has declared its intent to so withdraw by enactment of an ordinance by
its legislative body. Sec. 8-37. Regional plans of development. Section 8-37 is repealed. Sec. 8-37a. Termination of agency. Subject to the provisions of section 8-36a,
whenever the total number of representatives of the member towns, cities or boroughs
of any regional planning agency established under sections 8-31a to 8-37a, inclusive,
is less than forty per cent of the possible total number of representatives of all the towns,
cities or boroughs within the planning region defined by the Secretary of the Office of
Policy and Management, or his designee embracing such regional planning agency,
such regional planning agency shall cease to exist. Sec. 8-37b. Powers and duties of prior authorities. Any regional planning authority established prior to January 1, 1957, under the provisions of chapter 46 of the
general statutes, revision of 1949, (a) may continue to exist and shall have all the powers
and duties as provided in said chapter, or (b) may vote to act in accordance with the
provisions of sections 8-31a to 8-37a, inclusive, by a majority vote of the members of
the board thereof and shall thereafter be subject to said sections. Any regional planning
authority established after January 1, 1957, shall conform to the provisions of said sections.
(1949 Rev., S. 863, 865; 1955, S. 395d, 397d; 1957, P.A. 13, S. 43; 635, S. 1; 1959, P.A. 613, S. 10.)
See Sec. 8-31a.
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(1959, P.A. 613, S. 1, 2; 1969, P.A. 628, S. 6; P.A. 73-679, S. 30, 43; P.A. 75-537, S. 43, 55; P.A. 77-604, S. 43, 84;
77-614, S. 19, 610.)
History: 1969 act substituted director of the office of state planning for Connecticut development commission; P.A.
73-679 substituted managing director, planning and budgeting division, department of finance and control or his designee
for director of office of state planning; P.A. 75-537 substituted commissioner of planning and energy policy for managing
director; P.A. 77-604 replaced reference to Sec. 4-70b with reference to Sec. 16a-4a; P.A. 77-614 substituted secretary of
the office of policy and management for commissioner.
See Sec. 16a-4b re municipality's authority to petition for redefinition of planning region or redesignation as part of
different planning region.
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(1949 Rev., S. 863; 1955, S. 395d; 1957, P.A. 13, S. 43; 635, S. 2; 1959, P.A. 613, S. 10.)
See Sec. 8-32a.
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(1959, P.A. 613, S. 3; 1969, P.A. 628, S. 7; P.A. 73-679, S. 31, 43; P.A. 75-537, S. 44, 55; P.A. 77-614, S. 19, 610.)
History: 1969 act substituted director of the office of state planning for Connecticut development commission; P.A.
73-679 substituted managing director, planning and budgeting division, department of finance and control or his designee
for director of office of state planning; P.A. 75-537 substituted commissioner of planning and energy policy for managing
director; P.A. 77-614 substituted secretary of the office of policy and management for commissioner.
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(1957, P.A. 635, S. 3; 1959, P.A. 613, S. 10.)
See Sec. 8-37a.
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(1959, P.A. 613, S. 4; 1969, P.A. 628, S. 8; P.A. 73-679, S. 32, 43; P.A. 75-537, S. 45, 55; P.A. 77-614, S. 19, 610.)
History: 1969 act substituted director of the office of state planning for Connecticut development commission; P.A.
73-679 substituted managing director, planning and budgeting division, department of finance and control or his designee
for director of office of state planning; P.A. 75-537 substituted commissioner of planning and energy policy for managing
director; P.A. 77-614 substituted secretary of the office of policy and management for commissioner.
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(1949 Rev., S. 864; 1955, S. 396d; 1957, P.A. 13, S. 44; 1959, P.A. 613, S. 10.)
See Sec. 8-36a.
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(1959, P.A. 613, S. 5; P.A. 81-229, S. 1; P.A. 83-256, S. 3; P.A. 91-96, S. 3; 91-401, S. 9, 20.)
History: P.A. 81-229 inserted provisions allowing borrowing in anticipation of funds; P.A. 83-256 provided for the
establishment of a dues formula and the withholding of services for failure to pay; P.A. 91-96 expanded agencies regional
planning agencies can contract with to include municipalities, other regional councils of government, regional councils
of elected officials, regional planning and other intertown, regional or metropolitan agencies and made technical changes;
P.A. 91-401 made a technical change.
See chapter 111 re municipal auditing procedures.
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(1949 Rev., S. 866; 1959, P.A. 613, S. 10.)
See Sec. 8-33a.
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(1959, P.A. 613, S. 6; 1967, P.A. 232; 1969, P.A. 628, S. 9; P.A. 73-679, S. 33, 43; P.A. 75-537, S. 46, 55; P.A. 77-
614, S. 19, 610; P.A. 78-314, S. 5; P.A. 82-411, S. 2, 6; P.A. 87-550, S. 1, 10; P.A. 91-170, S. 2; P.A. 96-68, S. 2.)
History: 1967 act deleted provision concerning assistance to planning commissions of towns and inserted provision
for assistance to municipalities, state agencies and other public and private agencies and permitted regional planning agency
to provide technical assistance under guidelines set out in section; 1969 act substituted director of the office of state planning
for Connecticut development commission; P.A. 73-679 substituted managing director, planning and budgeting division,
department of finance and control or his designee for director of planning office; P.A. 75-537 substituted commissioner
of planning and energy policy for managing director; P.A. 77-614 substituted secretary of the office of policy and management for commissioner; P.A. 78-314 provided that development plan may encourage energy-efficiency, use of renewable
forms of energy and energy conservation; P.A. 82-411 provided for the provision of administrative, management and
planning assistance by the agencies to municipalities; P.A. 87-550 designated existing section as Subsec. (a), required
housing recommendations to be included in regional plans of development, and added Subsec. (b) re housing needs assessments; P.A. 91-170 required that plans be designed to promote pollution abatement and added provisions re content of
plans in municipalities contiguous to Long Island Sound; P.A. 96-68 deleted Subsec. (b) re housing needs assessments
and eliminated Subsec. (a) designator.
See Sec. 32-7 re Economic and Community Development Department's assistance to municipal and regional economic
development commissions.
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(1967, P.A. 862, S. 1.)
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(1967, P.A. 862, S. 2; P.A. 82-411, S. 3, 6.)
History: P.A. 82-411 applied provisions to single municipalities where previously applicable to two or more municipalities.
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(1967, P.A. 862, S. 3; P.A. 95-308, S. 10.)
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(b) Two or more regional planning agencies may share staff and staff from one
agency may work in the area of another agency, provided each agency involved in such
a cooperative effort shall have first adopted a resolution authorizing such action and
specifying the extent of cooperation and the terms under which it is to be provided.
(P.A. 76-7.)
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(1949 Rev., S. 867; 1955, S. 398d; 1959, P.A. 613, S. 10.)
See Sec. 8-34a.
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(1959, P.A. 613, S. 7; 1967, P.A. 764.)
History: 1967 act deleted provisions concerning liability of withdrawing towns for funds advanced by state and federal
governments.
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(1949 Rev., S. 868; 1959, P.A. 613, S. 10.)
See Sec. 8-35a.
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(1959, P.A. 613, S. 8; 1969, P.A. 628, S. 10; P.A. 73-679, S. 34, 43; P.A. 75-537, S. 47, 55; P.A. 77-614, S. 19, 610.)
History: 1969 act substituted director of the office of state planning for Connecticut development commission; P.A.
73-679 substituted managing director, planning and budgeting division, department of finance and control or his designee
for director of planning office; P.A. 75-537 substituted commissioner of planning and energy policy for managing director;
P.A. 77-614 substituted secretary of the office of policy and management for commissioner.
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(1959, P.A. 613, S. 9.)
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