We all know that New Canaan is a town where charm and community flourish, and now an opportunity of paramount importance has arisen — the chance to shape our town’s destiny for the next decade. The Town of New Canaan is embarking on a journey to update its Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD), a blueprint that will define the course of our community’s growth and preservation. This endeavor warrants the utmost attention and engagement of every resident, and it is incumbent upon us to seize this moment to safeguard the New Canaan we cherish while charting a course for a vibrant future.
The POCD is not merely a bureaucratic requirement; it represents our collective vision, a living document that defines who we are and where we aspire to be. New Canaan last updated its POCD in 2014, and now, as per the state mandate, we must revisit and revitalize our town’s guiding principles. The POCD is a testament to our commitment to preserve our town’s essence while embracing necessary evolution.
The state, through Connecticut General Statute, mandates that municipalities revise their POCDs every ten years. This exercise ensures that our community remains adaptable to the evolving needs and aspirations of our residents. It obliges us to reevaluate our stance on housing, economic development, parks, open space, historical and natural resources, and sustainability — all of which have profound implications for our town’s future.
Community engagement is the bedrock of a thriving society. In the spirit of unity and shared purpose, let us come together to ensure that New Canaan’s future is a testament to our collective aspirations and enduring values.
To embark on this journey, we need your input, your insights, and your vision. The Town of New Canaan has initiated a Community Survey, designed to capture your thoughts, concerns, and aspirations for our beloved town. This survey serves as a critical tool to gauge the pulse of our community, offering you the opportunity to shape the trajectory of New Canaan.
Comprising 23 main questions about New Canaan and an additional 13 optional questions about you, this survey aims to elicit a comprehensive understanding of our community’s current state and the direction it should take. We urge you to set aside just 20-25 minutes of your time to complete the survey. Your input will be the cornerstone upon which we build our shared values and priorities for New Canaan’s future.
It is important to note that the POCD Development team respects your privacy. Your individual responses and personal demographic information will remain confidential and inaccessible to the public.
New Canaan’s POCD is not an abstract document; it is the blueprint for initiatives that will shape our town’s destiny. Guided by the POCD Sub-Committee in partnership with the Town’s Planning Consultant, SLR, this process is designed to be a collaborative experience with numerous opportunities for public involvement.
The Community Survey, which will be available for input until the end of the month, is the first step in gathering feedback on crucial topics that the POCD will address. Your voice will have a direct impact on the new POCD and will guide future community outreach efforts as this process unfolds.
In an idyllic town like New Canaan, every voice matters. Your perspective, your vision, and your dreams for our community are invaluable. We encourage you to take a few moments out of your day to complete the survey. Your participation is not just a civic duty; it’s an opportunity to actively shape the future of our town.
Community engagement is the bedrock of a thriving society. In the spirit of unity and shared purpose, let us come together to ensure that New Canaan’s future is a testament to our collective aspirations and enduring values. Throughout this process let us be a community of thinkers and doers; people who talk and listen to each other and most importantly who respect each other for both what makes each of us different and unique and for what makes us come together as a community.
Thank you in advance for your time and commitment to the future of New Canaan. The first community workshop will be October 26, with details to follow.
