The NVCOG is committed to knowledge sharing to support informed decision making. Education and training opportunities are thoughtfully crafted to equip land use staff and commissioners with valuable insights and skills.
Upcoming Events
Municipal Training Sessions
Municipal land use staff, including planners, zoning enforcement officers, and administrators, come together for training sessions. These gatherings focus on in-depth discussions and exploration of various concepts and strategies that address the needs of the region.
Past Events
09/23/25
The webinar covers CGS Sec. 8-30g reporting requirements and best practices from two municipalities that have established reporting processes.
Additional Resources
Norwalk, CT
- Workforce Housing SOP September 2025
- 2025 Calculator
- 2025 Income Limits
- Utility Allowances 2025
- 2025 Workforce Housing Compliance Reporting Requirements
- Affordability Plan Template
Darien, CT
10/22/24
This presentation provides an in-depth look at the CGS Sec. 8-30g Affordable Housing Appeals Process.
Guest Speaker: Michael C. Santoro, Director, Office of Policy, Research and Housing Support
06/17/24
This presentation explores the connection between housing development, demographic changes, and school enrollment using case studies and data from Connecticut.
Guest Speaker: Dr. Don Poland, PhD, AICP, Managing Director & SVP, Planning & Strategy, of Goman+York Property Advisors
02/29/24
This presentation covered short-term rental regulation, with a focus on Simsbury’s Short-Term Rental Ordinance, which served as a helpful template for municipalities across the state.
Guest Speaker: Mike Glidden, CFM, CZEO, Town Planner for the Town of Cheshire
12/06/23
This presentation covered the new CHFA State Housing Needs Assessment (HNA) and discussed data specific to the Naugatuck Valley planning region.
In partnership with the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA).
05/10/23
This presentation covers data, insights on the economic impact, and a comprehensive freight management guide.
Guest Speaker: Becky A. Bradley, AICP, Executive Director of the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission
2024 Aquifer Protection Areas: Working toward Compliance Workshop Series
The NVCOG and CT DEEP hosted the Aquifer Protection Areas: Moving Towards Compliance Workshop Series to provide municipal land use staff with helpful techniques for program compliance. The series concluded in July 2024.
View the Executive Summary (PDF) to see key results from the series, including participation rates, a look at the most impactful sessions and insights into the online legacy.
Past Events
This folder equips municipal staff with essential tools and guidance on the Aquifer Protection Area program. It provides templates, examples, and resources tailored to areas of compliance, from regulations adoption to inspections and more.
Learn about aquifer basics, program overview, municipal responsibilities, and next steps for achieving compliance. This presentation was led by Kim Czapla, Supervising Environmental Analyst at CTDEEP.
Learn about best practices for aquifer protection area program implementation from registrations, to inspections and enforcement. This presentation was led by Alexis Cherichetti, Senior Environmental Officer and Assistant Director of Planning & Zoning for the City of Norwalk.
Learn tips and strategies for creating and maintaining your aquifer protection area website. This presentation was led by Melissa Mostowy, Environmental Analyst for CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
Learn, review and discuss the procedure for Aquifer Protection Area municipal registrations. This presentation was led by Melissa Fahenstock, technical lead for the Municipal Aquifer Protection Area Program at CT DEEP.
Download Municipal Aquifer Protection Area Registration Processing SOP (PDF)
Learn the ins and outs of conducting site inspections as a best practice for implementing aquifer protection. This presentation features Melissa Mostowy and Melissa Fahenstock of CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
Review key elements for maintaining compliance annually with references back to lessons learned throughout the series. This presentation features Kim Czapla of CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
2023 Sec. 8-4c Land Use Commissioner Training
The NVCOG hosted two successful land use training sessions in September 2023 for commissioners from the planning region and beyond to comply with CGS Section 8-4c. The sessions equipped Planning, Zoning, Planning and Zoning and Zoning Board of Appeals Commissioners in the Naugatuck Valley Region with tools and insights for navigating complex land-use decisions and provided a platform for networking and idea exchange.
Past Events
Partners
A special thanks to our partners!
- City of Waterbury
- Litchfield County Center for Housing Opportunity (LCCHO)
- UConn Center for Land Use Education and Research (CLEAR)
Live Recording
PDF Slides
Download the topic-specific presentation slides (PDF) for each presenter.
Additional Resources
- 10 Actions to Grow Your Town’s Affordable Housing Supply
- Join CLEAR’s Land Use Academy training and equip yourself with practical handouts to enhance your learning.
Partners
A special thanks to our partners!
- City of Ansonia
- Connecticut Institute for Resilience & Climate Adaption (CIRCA)
- CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)
- Partnership for Strong Communities (PSC)
- State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)
Live Recording
PDF Slides
Download the topic-specific presentation slides (PDF) for each presenter.