Woodbridge’s newly adopted Plan of Conservation and Development now in effect
Woodbridge’s Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) has now been published on the town website and officially took effect on January 1, 2026, following its approval by the Town Plan and Zoning Commission (TPZ) at its December 8, 2025 meeting.
State law requires every municipality to update its POCD at least once every ten years. The plan serves as a long-range policy document, setting forth goals and recommendations related to land use, housing, transportation, natural resources, economic development, public facilities, and community character. While the POCD does not itself change zoning regulations, it provides the framework that guides future planning decisions, zoning amendments, and capital investments.
The newly adopted POCD replaces the town’s prior plan that covered 2015-2025 and will guide planning and development decisions through 2035. As such, it becomes an important reference point for town boards and commissions — including land-use agencies — when reviewing applications, setting priorities, and interpreting consistency with the town’s long-term vision.
The adoption of the new plan follows a period of delay after the town’s previous POCD expired in May 2025. In September, the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to reject an earlier draft — citing concerns about process, internal consistency, and insufficient coordination among commissions — and formally returned it to the Town Plan and Zoning Commission for substantial revision. TPZ subsequently reviewed revisions prepared by its consultants in early December, ahead of the Commission’s December 8 vote to approve the final draft, which under state law required a two-thirds majority after the Board of Selectmen declined to approve the earlier draft.
The plan’s effective date of January 1 aligns with statutory requirements and marks the point at which the newly adopted POCD supersedes the previous plan for purposes of municipal planning and review.
Residents can view the full adopted document on the town website. Given its role in shaping future decisions, the POCD is likely to be cited frequently in coming years as the town considers development proposals, infrastructure needs, and conservation priorities.
