Bill Text: CT SB00321 | 2010 | General Assembly | Comm Sub

Connecticut Senate Bill 321 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: An Act Concerning The State's Consolidated Plan For Housing And Community Development.

Spectrum: Committee Bill

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2010-05-05 - House Calendar Number 531 [SB00321 Detail]

Download: Connecticut-2010-SB00321-Comm_Sub.html

General Assembly		*Substitute Bill No. 321*
*February Session, 2010*		_____SB00321CE____042110____

AN ACT CONCERNING THE STATE'S CONSOLIDATED PLAN FOR HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

Section 1. Section 8-37t of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2010):

[(a) Not later than January 1, 2000, and every five years thereafter, the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development together with the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, shall prepare a long-range state housing plan, which shall conform and be subject to the plan of conservation and development for the state adopted by the General Assembly. The plan shall: (1) Contain an assessment of the housing needs of households with incomes less than one hundred per cent of the average area median income, adjusted for family size, analyzed separately for households with incomes (A) less than twenty-five per cent of the area median income, (B) more than twenty-five per cent but not more than fifty per cent of the area median income, (C) more than fifty per cent but not more than eighty per cent of the area median income, and (D) more than eighty per cent but not more than one hundred per cent of the area median income; (2) analyze the households served by the housing construction, substantial rehabilitation, purchase and rental assistance programs, including the number of households served by each program, the total amount of financial assistance provided to such households and the race of households served under such programs; (3) provide information on affirmative fair housing marketing activities and programs and an analysis of occupancy results of affirmative fair housing marketing plans and shall include data on the racial composition of the occupants and persons on the waiting list of each housing project which is assisted under any housing program established by the general statutes or special act or which is supervised by the commissioner or the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority; (4) set specific measurable goals for meeting identified housing needs; (5) outline strategies for meeting those goals; and (6) identify state, federal and private sector resources for affordable housing programs. The provisions of this section shall not be construed to require an occupant or applicant to disclose the race of such occupant or applicant on an application or survey form. The long-range plan shall be updated annually by an action plan that assesses the state's progress toward meeting housing needs contained in the long-range plan and recommends revised strategies, if deemed necessary. In preparing the long-range plan and subsequent action plans, the commissioner shall consult with representatives of those who use or benefit from state housing programs.

(b) The Department of Economic and Community Development shall submit the long-range housing plan to the General Assembly not later than January 1, 2000, and each action plan not later than January first of each subsequent year, after receiving public review and comment on the long-range plan and each action plan through written remarks and public hearings. The commencement date of each plan shall be the July first following the submission of the plan.]

The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, in consultation with the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, shall prepare the state's consolidated plan for housing and community development in accordance with 24 CFR Part 91, as amended from time to time.

Sec. 2. Subsection (a) of section 8-2 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2010):

(a) The zoning commission of each city, town or borough is authorized to regulate, within the limits of such municipality, the height, number of stories and size of buildings and other structures; the percentage of the area of the lot that may be occupied; the size of yards, courts and other open spaces; the density of population and the location and use of buildings, structures and land for trade, industry, residence or other purposes, including water-dependent uses as defined in section 22a-93, and the height, size and location of advertising signs and billboards. Such bulk regulations may allow for cluster development as defined in section 8-18. Such zoning commission may divide the municipality into districts of such number, shape and area as may be best suited to carry out the purposes of this chapter; and, within such districts, it may regulate the erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration or use of buildings or structures and the use of land. All such regulations shall be uniform for each class or kind of buildings, structures or use of land throughout each district, but the regulations in one district may differ from those in another district, and may provide that certain classes or kinds of buildings, structures or uses of land are permitted only after obtaining a special permit or special exception from a zoning commission, planning commission, combined planning and zoning commission or zoning board of appeals, whichever commission or board the regulations may, notwithstanding any special act to the contrary, designate, subject to standards set forth in the regulations and to conditions necessary to protect the public health, safety, convenience and property values. Such regulations shall be made in accordance with a comprehensive plan and in adopting such regulations the commission shall consider the plan of conservation and development prepared under section 8-23, as amended by this act. Such regulations shall be designed to lessen congestion in the streets; to secure safety from fire, panic, flood and other dangers; to promote health and the general welfare; to provide adequate light and air; to prevent the overcrowding of land; to avoid undue concentration of population and to facilitate the adequate provision for transportation, water, sewerage, schools, parks and other public requirements. Such regulations shall be made with reasonable consideration as to the character of the district and its peculiar suitability for particular uses and with a view to conserving the value of buildings and encouraging the most appropriate use of land throughout such municipality. Such regulations may, to the extent consistent with soil types, terrain, infrastructure capacity and the plan of conservation and development for the community, provide for cluster development, as defined in section 8-18, in residential zones. Such regulations shall also encourage the development of housing opportunities, including opportunities for multifamily dwellings, consistent with soil types, terrain and infrastructure capacity, for all residents of the municipality and the planning region in which the municipality is located, as designated by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management under section 16a-4a. Such regulations shall also promote housing choice and economic diversity in housing, including housing for both low and moderate income households, and shall encourage the development of housing which will meet the housing needs identified in the [housing plan] state's consolidated plan for housing and community development prepared pursuant to section 8-37t, as amended by this act, and in the housing component and the other components of the state plan of conservation and development prepared pursuant to section 16a-26. Zoning regulations shall be made with reasonable consideration for their impact on agriculture. Zoning regulations may be made with reasonable consideration for the protection of historic factors and shall be made with reasonable consideration for the protection of existing and potential public surface and ground drinking water supplies. On and after July 1, 1985, the regulations shall provide that proper provision be made for soil erosion and sediment control pursuant to section 22a-329. Such regulations may also encourage energy-efficient patterns of development, the use of solar and other renewable forms of energy, and energy conservation. The regulations may also provide for incentives for developers who use passive solar energy techniques, as defined in subsection (b) of section 8-25, in planning a residential subdivision development. The incentives may include, but not be limited to, cluster development, higher density development and performance standards for roads, sidewalks and underground facilities in the subdivision. Such regulations may provide for a municipal system for the creation of development rights and the permanent transfer of such development rights, which may include a system for the variance of density limits in connection with any such transfer. Such regulations may also provide for notice requirements in addition to those required by this chapter. Such regulations may provide for conditions on operations to collect spring water or well water, as defined in section 21a-150, including the time, place and manner of such operations. No such regulations shall prohibit the operation of any family day care home or group day care home in a residential zone. Such regulations shall not impose conditions and requirements on manufactured homes having as their narrowest dimension twenty-two feet or more and built in accordance with federal manufactured home construction and safety standards or on lots containing such manufactured homes which are substantially different from conditions and requirements imposed on single-family dwellings and lots containing single-family dwellings. Such regulations shall not impose conditions and requirements on developments to be occupied by manufactured homes having as their narrowest dimension twenty-two feet or more and built in accordance with federal manufactured home construction and safety standards which are substantially different from conditions and requirements imposed on multifamily dwellings, lots containing multifamily dwellings, cluster developments or planned unit developments. Such regulations shall not prohibit the continuance of any nonconforming use, building or structure existing at the time of the adoption of such regulations. Such regulations shall not provide for the termination of any nonconforming use solely as a result of nonuse for a specified period of time without regard to the intent of the property owner to maintain that use. Any city, town or borough which adopts the provisions of this chapter may, by vote of its legislative body, exempt municipal property from the regulations prescribed by the zoning commission of such city, town or borough; but unless it is so voted municipal property shall be subject to such regulations.

Sec. 3. Section 8-23 of the 2010 supplement to the general statutes, as amended by section 3 of public act 07-239, section 4 of public act 07-5 of the June special session, section 17 of public act 08-182 and section 7 of public act 09-230, is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2010):

(a) (1) At least once every ten years, the commission shall prepare or amend and shall adopt a plan of conservation and development for the municipality. Following adoption, the commission shall regularly review and maintain such plan. The commission may adopt such geographical, functional or other amendments to the plan or parts of the plan, in accordance with the provisions of this section, as it deems necessary. The commission may, at any time, prepare, amend and adopt plans for the redevelopment and improvement of districts or neighborhoods which, in its judgment, contain special problems or opportunities or show a trend toward lower land values.

(2) If a plan is not amended decennially, the chief elected official of the municipality shall submit a letter to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and the Commissioners of Transportation, Environmental Protection and Economic and Community Development that explains why such plan was not amended. A copy of such letter shall be included in each application by the municipality for discretionary state funding submitted to any state agency.

(b) On and after the first day of July following the adoption of the state Conservation and Development Policies Plan 2012-2017, in accordance with section 16a-30, a municipality that fails to comply with the requirements of subsection (a) of this section shall be ineligible for discretionary state funding unless such prohibition is expressly waived by the secretary.

(c) In the preparation of such plan, the commission may appoint one or more special committees to develop and make recommendations for the plan. The membership of any special committee may include: Residents of the municipality and representatives of local boards dealing with zoning, inland wetlands, conservation, recreation, education, public works, finance, redevelopment, general government and other municipal functions. In performing its duties under this section, the commission or any special committee may accept information from any source or solicit input from any organization or individual. The commission or any special committee may hold public informational meetings or organize other activities to inform residents about the process of preparing the plan.

(d) In preparing such plan, the commission or any special committee shall consider the following: (1) The community development action plan of the municipality, if any, (2) the need for affordable housing, (3) the need for protection of existing and potential public surface and ground drinking water supplies, (4) the use of cluster development and other development patterns to the extent consistent with soil types, terrain and infrastructure capacity within the municipality, (5) the state plan of conservation and development adopted pursuant to chapter 297, (6) the regional plan of conservation and development adopted pursuant to section 8-35a, (7) physical, social, economic and governmental conditions and trends, (8) the needs of the municipality including, but not limited to, human resources, education, health, housing, recreation, social services, public utilities, public protection, transportation and circulation and cultural and interpersonal communications, (9) the objectives of energy-efficient patterns of development, the use of solar and other renewable forms of energy and energy conservation, and (10) protection and preservation of agriculture.

(e) (1) Such plan of conservation and development shall (A) be a statement of policies, goals and standards for the physical and economic development of the municipality, (B) provide for a system of principal thoroughfares, parkways, bridges, streets, sidewalks, multipurpose trails and other public ways as appropriate, (C) be designed to promote, with the greatest efficiency and economy, the coordinated development of the municipality and the general welfare and prosperity of its people and identify areas where it is feasible and prudent (i) to have compact, transit accessible, pedestrian-oriented mixed use development patterns and land reuse, and (ii) to promote such development patterns and land reuse, (D) recommend the most desirable use of land within the municipality for residential, recreational, commercial, industrial, conservation and other purposes and include a map showing such proposed land uses, (E) recommend the most desirable density of population in the several parts of the municipality, (F) note any inconsistencies with the following growth management principles: (i) Redevelopment and revitalization of commercial centers and areas of mixed land uses with existing or planned physical infrastructure; (ii) expansion of housing opportunities and design choices to accommodate a variety of household types and needs; (iii) concentration of development around transportation nodes and along major transportation corridors to support the viability of transportation options and land reuse; (iv) conservation and restoration of the natural environment, cultural and historical resources and existing farmlands; (v) protection of environmental assets critical to public health and safety; and (vi) integration of planning across all levels of government to address issues on a local, regional and state-wide basis, (G) make provision for the development of housing opportunities, including opportunities for multifamily dwellings, consistent with soil types, terrain and infrastructure capacity, for all residents of the municipality and the planning region in which the municipality is located, as designated by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management under section 16a-4a, (H) promote housing choice and economic diversity in housing, including housing for both low and moderate income households, and encourage the development of housing which will meet the housing needs identified in the [housing plan] state's consolidated plan for housing and community development prepared pursuant to section 8-37t, as amended by this act, and in the housing component and the other components of the state plan of conservation and development prepared pursuant to chapter 297. In preparing such plan the commission shall consider focusing development and revitalization in areas with existing or planned physical infrastructure.

(2) For any municipality that is contiguous to Long Island Sound, such plan shall be (A) consistent with the municipal coastal program requirements of sections 22a-101 to 22a-104, inclusive, (B) made with reasonable consideration for restoration and protection of the ecosystem and habitat of Long Island Sound, and (C) designed to reduce hypoxia, pathogens, toxic contaminants and floatable debris in Long Island Sound.

(f) Such plan may show the commission's and any special committee's recommendation for (1) conservation and preservation of traprock and other ridgelines, (2) airports, parks, playgrounds and other public grounds, (3) the general location, relocation and improvement of schools and other public buildings, (4) the general location and extent of public utilities and terminals, whether publicly or privately owned, for water, sewerage, light, power, transit and other purposes, (5) the extent and location of public housing projects, (6) programs for the implementation of the plan, including (A) a schedule, (B) a budget for public capital projects, (C) a program for enactment and enforcement of zoning and subdivision controls, building and housing codes and safety regulations, (D) plans for implementation of affordable housing, (E) plans for open space acquisition and greenways protection and development, and (F) plans for corridor management areas along limited access highways or rail lines, designated under section 16a-27, (7) proposed priority funding areas, and (8) any other recommendations as will, in the commission's or any special committee's judgment, be beneficial to the municipality. The plan may include any necessary and related maps, explanatory material, photographs, charts or other pertinent data and information relative to the past, present and future trends of the municipality.

(g) (1) A plan of conservation and development or any part thereof or amendment thereto prepared by the commission or any special committee shall be reviewed, and may be amended, by the commission prior to scheduling at least one public hearing on adoption.

(2) At least sixty-five days prior to the public hearing on adoption, the commission shall submit a copy of such plan or part thereof or amendment thereto for review and comment to the legislative body or, in the case of a municipality for which the legislative body of the municipality is a town meeting or representative town meeting, to the board of selectmen. The legislative body or board of selectmen, as the case may be, may hold one or more public hearings on the plan and shall endorse or reject such entire plan or part thereof or amendment and may submit comments and recommended changes to the commission. The commission may render a decision on the plan without the report of such body or board.

(3) At least thirty-five days prior to the public hearing on adoption, the commission shall post the plan on the Internet web site of the municipality, if any.

(4) At least sixty-five days prior to the public hearing on adoption, the commission shall submit a copy of such plan or part thereof or amendment thereto to the regional planning agency for review and comment. The regional planning agency shall submit an advisory report along with its comments to the commission at or before the hearing. Such comments shall include a finding on the consistency of the plan with (A) the regional plan of conservation and development, adopted under section 8-35a, (B) the state plan of conservation and development, adopted pursuant to chapter 297, and (C) the plans of conservation and development of other municipalities in the area of operation of the regional planning agency. The commission may render a decision on the plan without the report of the regional planning agency.

(5) At least thirty-five days prior to the public hearing on adoption, the commission shall file in the office of the town clerk a copy of such plan or part thereof or amendment thereto but, in the case of a district commission, such commission shall file such information in the offices of both the district clerk and the town clerk.

(6) The commission shall cause to be published in a newspaper having a general circulation in the municipality, at least twice at intervals of not less than two days, the first not more than fifteen days, or less than ten days, and the last not less than two days prior to the date of each such hearing, notice of the time and place of any such public hearing. Such notice shall make reference to the filing of such draft plan in the office of the town clerk, or both the district clerk and the town clerk, as the case may be.

(h) (1) After completion of the public hearing, the commission may revise the plan and may adopt the plan or any part thereof or amendment thereto by a single resolution or may, by successive resolutions, adopt parts of the plan and amendments thereto.

(2) Any plan, section of a plan or recommendation in the plan that is not endorsed in the report of the legislative body or, in the case of a municipality for which the legislative body is a town meeting or representative town meeting, by the board of selectmen, of the municipality may only be adopted by the commission by a vote of not less than two-thirds of all the members of the commission.

(3) Upon adoption by the commission, any plan or part thereof or amendment thereto shall become effective at a time established by the commission, provided notice thereof shall be published in a newspaper having a general circulation in the municipality prior to such effective date.

(4) Not more than thirty days after adoption, any plan or part thereof or amendment thereto shall be posted on the Internet web site of the municipality, if any, and shall be filed in the office of the town clerk, except that, if it is a district plan or amendment, it shall be filed in the offices of both the district and town clerks.

(5) Not more than sixty days after adoption of the plan, the commission shall submit a copy of the plan to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and shall include with such copy a description of any inconsistency between the plan adopted by the commission and the state plan of conservation and development and the reasons therefor.

(i) Any owner or tenant, or authorized agent of such owner or tenant, of real property or buildings thereon located in the municipality may submit a proposal to the commission requesting a change to the plan of conservation and development. Such proposal shall be submitted in writing and on a form prescribed by the commission. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of section 8-7d, the commission shall review and may approve, modify and approve or reject the proposal in accordance with the provisions of subsection (g) of this section.

Sec. 4. Subsection (d) of section 8-206 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2010):

(d) The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development is authorized to do all things necessary to apply for, qualify for and accept any federal funds made available or allotted under any federal act for any activities which may be pertinent to the purposes of this chapter and chapters 128, 129, 130, 135 and 136 and said commissioner shall administer any such funds allotted to the department in accordance with federal law. The commissioner may enter into contracts with the federal government concerning the use and repayment of such funds under any such federal act, the prosecution of the work under any such contract and the establishment of and disbursement from a separate account in which federal and state funds estimated to be required for plan preparation or other eligible activities under such federal act shall be kept. Said account shall not be a part of the General Fund of the state or any subdivision of the state. Unless otherwise required by federal law or regulation, any federal housing assistance funding made available at the state level shall be allocated in accordance with the [housing plan] state's consolidated plan for housing and community development prepared pursuant to the provisions of section 8-37t, as amended by this act. Such allocation shall, to the maximum extent possible, reflect the types and distribution of housing needs in all parts of the state and the resources required by the department, the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority or other appropriate agencies to meet those needs.

Sec. 5. Subsection (c) of section 22a-1b of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2010):

(c) Each state department, institution or agency responsible for the primary recommendation or initiation of actions which may significantly affect the environment shall in the case of each such proposed action make a detailed written evaluation of its environmental impact before deciding whether to undertake or approve such action. All such environmental impact evaluations shall be detailed statements setting forth the following: (1) A description of the proposed action which shall include, but not be limited to, a description of the purpose and need of the proposed action, and, in the case of a proposed facility, a description of the infrastructure needs of such facility, including, but not limited to, parking, water supply, wastewater treatment and the square footage of the facility; (2) the environmental consequences of the proposed action, including cumulative, direct and indirect effects which might result during and subsequent to the proposed action; (3) any adverse environmental effects which cannot be avoided and irreversible and irretrievable commitments of resources should the proposal be implemented; (4) alternatives to the proposed action, including the alternative of not proceeding with the proposed action and, in the case of a proposed facility, a list of all the sites controlled by or reasonably available to the sponsoring agency that would meet the stated purpose of such facility; (5) an evaluation of the proposed action's consistency and each alternative's consistency with the state plan of conservation and development, an evaluation of each alternative including, to the extent practicable, whether it avoids, minimizes or mitigates environmental impacts, and, where appropriate, a description of detailed mitigation measures proposed to minimize environmental impacts, including, but not limited to, where appropriate, a site plan; (6) an analysis of the short term and long term economic, social and environmental costs and benefits of the proposed action; (7) the effect of the proposed action on the use and conservation of energy resources; and (8) a description of the effects of the proposed action on sacred sites or archaeological sites of state or national importance. In the case of an action which affects existing housing, the evaluation shall also contain a detailed statement analyzing (A) housing consequences of the proposed action, including direct and indirect effects which might result during and subsequent to the proposed action by income group as defined in section 8-37aa and by race, and (B) the consistency of the housing consequences with the [long-range state housing plan adopted under] state's consolidated plan for housing and community development prepared pursuant to section 8-37t, as amended by this act. As used in this section, "sacred sites" and "archaeological sites" shall have the same meaning as in section 10-381.

Sec. 6. Section 25-231 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2010):

As used in sections 25-230 to 25-238, inclusive:

(1) "Approved river corridor management plan" means a river corridor management plan approved by the commissioner pursuant to section 25-235;

(2) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Environmental Protection or his agent;

(3) "Local drainage basin" means a local drainage basin as referenced on a map entitled "Natural Drainage Basins of Connecticut", published by the Department of Environmental Protection, 1981;

(4) "Major state plan" means any of the following: The master transportation plan adopted pursuant to section 13b-15, the plan for development of outdoor recreation adopted pursuant to section 22a-21, the solid waste management plan adopted pursuant to section 22a-211, the state-wide plan for the management of water resources adopted pursuant to section 22a-352, the state-wide environmental plan adopted pursuant to section 22a-8, the historic preservation plan adopted under the National Historic Preservation Act, 16 USC 470 et seq., the state-wide facility and capital plan adopted pursuant to section 4b-23, [the long-range state housing plan adopted] the state's consolidated plan for housing and community development prepared pursuant to section 8-37t, as amended by this act, the water quality management plan adopted under the federal Clean Water Act, 33 USC 1251 et seq., any plans for managing forest resources adopted pursuant to section 23-20 and the Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Compact adopted pursuant to section 26-302;

(5) "Member municipality" means a municipality which is a member of a river commission established pursuant to section 25-232;

(6) "Person" means person, as defined in section 22a-2;

(7) "River advisory board" means any of the following: The Five Mile River Commission established pursuant to section 15-26a, the Connecticut River Gateway Commission established pursuant to section 25-102e, the Connecticut River Assembly established pursuant to section 25-102dd, the Bi-State Pawcatuck River Commission established pursuant to section 25-161, the Niantic River Gateway Commission established pursuant to section 25-109e, the Housatonic Estuary Commission established pursuant to section 25-170, the Farmington River Coordinating Committee established pursuant to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, 16 USC 1274 et seq., the Shepaug-Bantam River Board established pursuant to sections 25-102pp and 25-102qq or a river committee established pursuant to section 25-203;

(8) "River corridor" means any river, river segment or river system, together with its floodplains, wetlands and uplands, contributing overland runoff to such river, river segment or river system;

(9) "River commission" means a river commission established pursuant to section 25-232;

(10) "River system" means a river, its tributaries and any lands draining into such river or its tributaries;

(11) "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management or his agent;

(12) "State rivers assessment database" means the state-wide assessment of the state's rivers prepared by the commissioner pursuant to subdivision (3) of subsection (d) of section 25-102qq;

(13) "State plan for conservation and development" means the state plan for conservation and development prepared pursuant to part I of chapter 297;

(14) "Subregional drainage basin" means a subregional drainage basin as referenced on a map entitled "Natural Drainage Basins of Connecticut", published by the Department of Environmental Protection, 1981;

(15) "Water-dependent use" means a use which, by its nature or function, requires direct access to, or location in or immediately adjacent to, water and which therefore cannot be located upland, and includes such recreational uses as riverside trails and bicycle paths;

(16) "Use" means agriculture, public and private water supply, power generation, waste assimilation, transportation, recreation, including, but not limited to, boating, swimming, fishing, camping and hiking and residential, commercial, industrial and other water-dependent uses; and

(17) "Resource" means any riparian waters of the state, related fisheries and wildlife habitat and adjacent shorelands, both developed and undeveloped; any vegetation, fish and wildlife; endangered and threatened species, species of special concern and essential habitat identified by the commissioner pursuant to chapter 495; tidal and inland wetlands; unique geologic features; scenic areas; forest lands, as defined in section 23-65f; agricultural lands, as defined in section 22-26bb; and archaeological and other historical resources.

Sec. 7. Section 32-1o of the 2010 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2010):

(a) On or before July 1, 2009, and every five years thereafter, the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, within available appropriations, shall prepare an economic strategic plan for the state in consultation with the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, the Commissioners of Environmental Protection and Transportation, the Labor Commissioner, the executive directors of the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, the Connecticut Development Authority, the Connecticut Innovations, Inc., the Commission on Culture and Tourism and the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority, and the president of the Office of Workforce Competitiveness, or their respective designees, and any other agencies the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development deems appropriate.

(b) In developing the plan, the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development shall:

(1) Ensure that the plan is consistent with (A) the text and locational guide map of the state plan of conservation and development, adopted pursuant to chapter 297, (B) the [long-range state housing plan, adopted] state's consolidated plan for housing and community development prepared pursuant to section 8-37t, as amended by this act, and (C) the transportation strategy adopted pursuant to section 13b-57g;

(2) Consult regional councils of governments, regional planning organizations, regional economic development agencies, interested state and local officials, entities involved in economic and community development, stakeholders and business, economic, labor, community and housing organizations;

(3) Consider (A) regional economic, community and housing development plans, and (B) applicable state and local workforce investment strategies;

(4) Assess and evaluate the economic development challenges and opportunities of the state and against the economic development competitiveness of other states and regions; and

(5) Host regional forums to provide for public involvement in the planning process.

(1) A review and evaluation of the economy of the state. Such review and evaluation shall include, but not be limited to, a sectoral analysis, housing market and housing affordability analysis, labor market and labor quality analysis, demographic analysis and include historic trend analysis and projections;

(2) A review and analysis of factors, issues and forces that impact or impede economic development and responsible growth in Connecticut and its constituent regions. Such factors, issues or forces shall include, but not be limited to, transportation, including, but not limited to, commuter transit, rail and barge freight, technology transfer, brownfield remediation and development, health care delivery and costs, early education, primary education, secondary and postsecondary education systems and student performance, business regulation, labor force quality and sustainability, social services costs and delivery systems, affordable and workforce housing cost and availability, land use policy, emergency preparedness, taxation, availability of capital and energy costs and supply;

(3) Identification and analysis of economic clusters that are growing or declining within the state;

(4) An analysis of targeted industry sectors in the state that (A) identifies those industry sectors that are of current or future importance to the growth of the state's economy and to its global competitive position, (B) identifies what those industry sectors need for continued growth, and (C) identifies, those industry sectors current and potential impediments to growth;

(5) A review and evaluation of the economic development structure in the state, including, but not limited to, (A) a review and analysis of the past and current economic, community and housing development structures, budgets and policies, efforts and responsibilities of its constituent parts in Connecticut; and (B) an analysis of the performance of the current economic, community and housing development structure, and its individual constituent parts, in meeting its statutory obligations, responsibilities and mandates and their impact on economic development and responsible growth in Connecticut;

(6) Establishment and articulation of a vision for Connecticut that identifies where the state should be in five, ten, fifteen and twenty years;

(7) Establishment of clear and measurable goals and objectives for the state and regions, to meet the short and long-term goals established under this section and provide clear steps and strategies to achieve said goals and objectives, including, but not limited to, the following: (A) The promotion of economic development and opportunity, (B) the fostering of effective transportation access and choice including the use of airports and ports for economic development, (C) enhancement and protection of the environment, (D) maximization of the effective development and use of the workforce consistent with applicable state or local workforce investment strategy, (E) promotion of the use of technology in economic development, including access to high-speed telecommunications, and (F) the balance of resources through sound management of physical development;

(8) Prioritization of goals and objectives established under this section;

(9) Establishment of relevant measures that clearly identify and quantify (A) whether a goal and objective is being met at the state, regional, local and private sector level, and (B) cause and effect relationships, and provides a clear and replicable measurement methodology;

(10) Recommendations on how the state can best achieve goals under the strategic plan and provide cost estimates for implementation of the plan and the projected return on investment for those areas;

(11) A review and evaluation of the operation and efficacy of the urban jobs program established pursuant to sections 32-9i to 32-9l, inclusive, enterprise zones established pursuant to section 32-70, railroad depot zones established pursuant to section 32-75a, qualified manufacturing plants designated pursuant to section 32-75c, entertainment districts established pursuant to section 32-76 and enterprise corridor zones established pursuant to section 32-80. The review and evaluation of enterprise zones shall include an analysis of enterprise zones that have been expanded to include an area in a contiguous municipality or in which there are base or plant closures; and

(12) Any other responsible growth information that the commissioner deems appropriate.

(d) On or before July 1, 2009, and every five years thereafter, the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development shall submit an economic development strategic plan for the state to the Governor for approval. The Governor shall review and approve or disapprove such plan not more than sixty days after submission. The plan shall be effective upon approval by the Governor or sixty days after the date of submission.

(e) Upon approval, the commissioner shall submit the economic development strategic plan to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to commerce, planning and development, appropriations and the budgets of state agencies and finance, revenue and bonding. Not later than thirty days after such submission, the commissioner shall post the plan on the web site of the Department of Economic and Community Development.

(f) The commissioner from time to time, may revise and update the strategic plan upon approval of the Governor. The commissioner shall post any such revisions on the web site of the Department of Economic and Community Development.

Sec. 8. Section 8-37u of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2010):

(a) The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development shall work with regional planning agencies, regional councils of elected officials, regional councils of governments, municipalities and municipal agencies, housing authorities and other appropriate agencies for the purpose of coordinating housing policy and housing activities, provided such coordination shall not be construed to restrict or diminish any power, right or authority granted to any municipality, agency, instrumentality, commission or any administrative or executive head thereof in accordance with the other provisions of the general statutes to proceed with any programs, projects or activities.

(b) The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development shall coordinate on an ongoing basis the activities and programs of state agencies or quasi-state authorities which have a major impact on the cost, production or availability of housing, provided, such coordination shall not be construed to restrict or diminish any power, right or authority granted to any such agency or authority, or of any administrative or executive head thereof in accordance with the other provisions of the general statutes, to proceed with any programs, projects or activities, except as specifically provided in this section.

(c) In order to facilitate such coordination, the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority shall submit annually to the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development a projected twelve-month operating plan. Said plan shall be prepared in a manner so as to be consistent with the [five-year plan referred to in] state's consolidated plan for housing and community development prepared pursuant to section 8-37t, as amended by this act, as such plan is then in effect. Said plan shall include such matters as the authority determines are necessary and shall include, but not be limited to, production targets under each multifamily program of the authority, including targets for rental housing production for both elderly and nonelderly families in a proportion consistent with housing needs estimated pursuant to [section 8-37t] the state's consolidated plan for housing and community development; proposed new and expanded programs; proposed outreach activities to help serve areas of the state or segments of the population whose housing needs have been particularly underserved, and estimated level of subsidy needed to support the proposed level of production. The first such plan shall be submitted to the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development prior to January 1, 1981, and subsequent plans on each twelve-month anniversary thereof.

(d) In the event the commissioner determines that the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority has not complied with the requirements of subsection (c) of this section, he shall file a report with the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management setting forth the items of the plan which are inconsistent with the five-year plan and setting forth those recommendations which in his opinion would result in such plan being consistent with the five-year plan. In the event that the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management concurs with the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, he shall convene a panel of the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, the chairman of the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority and the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, which panel shall resolve the inconsistencies. Nothing contained in this section shall limit the right or obligation of the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority to comply with the provisions of or covenants contained in any contract with or for the benefit of the holders of any bonds, notes or other obligations evidencing indebtedness of such authority.

(e) The Connecticut Housing Finance Authority shall, to the maximum extent practical, conduct its business according to the plan approved by the commissioner.

(f) The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development shall consult with the Commissioner of Agriculture with regard to the policies, activities, plans and programs specified in this section and the impact on and degree of protection provided to agricultural land by such policies, activities, plans and programs.


This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
Section 1	October 1, 2010	8-37t
Sec. 2	October 1, 2010	8-2(a)
Sec. 3	October 1, 2010	8-23
Sec. 4	October 1, 2010	8-206(d)
Sec. 5	October 1, 2010	22a-1b(c)
Sec. 6	October 1, 2010	25-231
Sec. 7	October 1, 2010	32-1o
Sec. 8	October 1, 2010	8-37u