ABOUT US
Mission:
The Northwest Connecticut Regional Planning Collaborative was created to meet land use planning and management challenges in the communities of northwest Connecticut. To accomplish this we will:
1. Prepare and share technical planning guidance by professional planners for the eight towns in the Planning Collaborative on the issues important to our towns such as resource conservation, housing availability and affordability, and economic development.
2. Establish a comprehensive and interactive webpage for area commissions and organizations to keep up-to-date with planning concepts, information, and resources.
3. Provide technical assistance on specific projects, plans, and issues that have regional implications, in cooperation with other collaborating agencies where appropriate.
Staff and Contact info:
Christopher S. Wood
chris@nwctplanning.org
Phone: 203-558-0654 |
Chris has nearly 30 years experience in land use regulation, land use and conservation planning, and municipal planning. He holds a master’s degree in science and is certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners. Wood most recently served as Town Planner for the Town of Woodbury and has Chaired the Government Relations Committee of the Connecticut Chapter of the American Planning Association for five years. Previous positions include Executive Director of the Connecticut Department of Public Utilities and Executive Director of the Connecticut Siting Council and he served on the Connecticut Energy Advisory Board for 12 years. Chris also worked with The Nature Conservancy on its Northwest Connecticut Highlands Conservation initiative. |
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Jocelyn Ayer
jocelyn@nwctplanning.org
Phone: 860-435-5839 |
Jocelyn has six years of experience working with non-profit housing, community development and planning organizations. She holds a master’s degree in regional planning from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and has recently presented at the Citizen Planner Training Collaborative and the Southern New England American Planning Association conferences on the topic of best practices for streamlining local permitting. She most recently comes to us from western Massachusetts where she provided regional planning services to 43 cities & towns with a focus on the issues of affordable housing and economic development. Her work included specific assistance to three towns to create smart growth housing incentive zones.
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Kristen Ponak
kristen@nwctplanning.org |
Kristen currently is a graduate student at Central CT State University focusing on Ecology and Environmental Science, and holds a B.S. in GIS and Web Technology from the University of Connecticut. She is a Resource Assistant for the Wildlife Division with the CT DEP, as well as a Research Associate with Candlewood Lake Authority. Her previous work involved being a Program Assistant with the Northwest Conservation District. |
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Committee & Partners:
The Regional Planning Collaborative Oversight Committee will work with Collaborative staff to set priorities and meet long-term objectives. It consists of:
- Pat Mechare, First Selectman Falls Village
- Ruth Skovron, Falls Village Planning and Zoning Commission
- Tom McGowan, Planning Consultant
- Greg Overton, The Nature Conservancy
The Committee is supported by the two regional planning agencies of NW Connecticut: the Litchfield Hills Council of Elected Officials, staffed by Executive Director Rick Lynn, and the Northwestern Connecticut Council of Governments staffed by Executive Director Dan McGuiness.
In addition, we will coordinate our work with the following partner organizations that also provide planning related services to this region. Our Partners include:
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The State-recognized regional planning organization for the 11-town Litchfield Hills area which will help oversee and manage the Collaborative. |
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Northwestern Connecticut Council of Governments nwccog1@snet.net |
The State-recognized regional planning organization for the 9-town Northwest Connecticut region which will help oversee and manage the Collaborative. |
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Their mission is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. The Nature Conservancy pursues non-confrontational, pragmatic, market-based solutions to conservation challenges. |
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A unique, local non-profit serving the towns and people of Northwest Connecticut since 1953. They are dedicated to the conservation and wise use of local natural resources by providing technical services and education. They provide answers, technical know-how and on-site assistance to local land use staff, commission members and residents. |
The Housatonic Valley Association
www.hvatoday.org |
The Association works to conserve the natural character and environmental health of our communities by protecting and restoring the lands and waters of the Housatonic Watershed for this and future generations. |
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A partnership of The Trust For Public Land and the Housatonic Valley Association, promotes coordinated, long-term and locally driven conservation to ensure that the ecological qualities of this landscape and the character of its communities endure for generations to come. |
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Their mission is to stop the loss of productive farmland and to promote farming practices that lead to a healthy environment. Working with farmers and ranchers, political leaders and community activists, CFT has helped to permanently protect more than a million acres of America's best farm and ranch land. |
Supporters:
This work is made possible by a Regional Performance Incentive Program Grant from the Connecticut Office of Policy & Management.
Initial funding for this initiative was generously provided by:
- Connecticut Chapter of The Nature Conservancy
- Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation
- Salisbury Bank and Trust
- First National Bank of Litchfield
- Litchfield Bancorp
- National Iron Bank
- Torrington Savings Bank
- Union Savings Bank
- Webster Bank
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