Planning Commission Releases Results from POCD Survey
Survey results reveal opinions on several big picture topics
EASTFORD — Over the past few months, the Planning Commission has been hard at work collecting input from town residents about what they want to see in the town in the years to come.
The town’s “Plan of Conservation & Development (POCD)” sets the vision for how the town moves forward over the next 10 years, and the Planning Commission has been responsible for updating the POCD at a minimum of once every 10 years, as required by state statutes. Eastford’s POCD was last updated in 2016. The updated survey provided an opportunity for the town to consider whether to make changes in the goals and objectives for the community.
The survey expired on Feb. 28, and since then, the Planning Commission has released the results
In total, 176 people participated in the survey, marking just over 10-percent participation (1,706 as of 2024).
Key questions explored within the survey include residents’ overall satisfaction with the town; opinions on which community assets should be preserved; ideas on housing options; land development; zoning; infrastructure; traffic safety; lakes, rivers and watercourses; and much more. Below are just a few of the highlights:
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Question: Please rate your overall satisfaction with the quality of life in Eastford. An overwhelming majority of 91 percent were either “satisfied” (40 percent) or “very satisfied.” Some highlighted notes within the survey noted residents’ concerns over speeding in town, particularly on Route 244 and Old Colony Road, as well as Kennerson Reservoir Road. Specific concerns about roads’ walkability were also brought up, noting that current conditions are inadequate. Other comments noted concern over housing developments further increasing the financial burden on the community.
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Question: How important is it for Eastford to expand housing option, duplex, multi-family, senior housing, rentals, etc.? Reactions to this question were solidly in the negative, with 81 percent of responders giving a “not important at all (49 percent)” or “not very important (32 percent)” response. According to the survey, there is an “overwhelming ‘no’ to multi-family units, apartments, condos, and duplexes. Residents argue these are incompatible with the town’s infrastructure and agricultural roots.” However, it was noted that there is “moderate support for senior housing and ‘starter homes’ for young people, provided they are single family dwellings with enough land to keep the town feeling rural.” According to the survey, residents fear that increased density will lead to “overrun schools, crowded roads, and a strain on volunteer emergency services. Several commentators noted that Eastford lacks the hospital, grocery stores, and transportation necessary to support a larger, more urbanized population.”
The consensus stated that “Eastford should stay ‘as rural as possible.’ Residents moved [here] for ‘peace and quiet’ and feel any significant expansion poses a direct ‘threat to our resources.’”
- Question: Would you support more pedestrian improvements within the Village Center or other areas of Eastford? Answers to this question generally were in the positive, with 32 percent answering “probably would,” and 27 percent answering “definitely would,” with 27 percent neutral. Key survey notes include ideas about traffic calming, adding painted lines to slow traffic, and re-evaluating the “five-point stop,” possibly returning to a roundabout. Cyclists requested signs highlighting the Connecticut 3-foot distance law to protect riders on rural roads. Old Colony Road and Westford Road were specifically mentioned as “high risk areas.”
These results are just a fraction of the data collected by the survey. To access a copy of the POCD survey results, visit the Planning Commission website.