Stonington - The Board of Selectmen will hold a public hearing Wednesday at the high school to listen to public comments on the proposed update to the town's Plan of Conservation and Development.

The Plan of Conservation and Development Subcommittee has been working since the fall of 2012 to develop the 139-page document which offers recommendations to guide the town's development over the next decade. It's held public forums, surveyed 700 residents and sought the opinions of boards, commissions, town officials and nonprofit organizations. Among the top priorities of residents who filled out the survey were preserving open space, waterfront public access and encouraging low-impact development.

"If steadily implemented as recommended, this plan will help protect important resources, guide appropriate development, protect community character and ensure that Stonington is moving towards a more sustainable future," states the plan's introduction.

After listening to residents on Wednesday, the selectmen can make recommendations on potential changes to the plan to the Planning and Zoning Commission which is slated to meet next month to adopt the plan. Once approved, it's up to the town to implement the recommendations. First Selectman George Crouse will head the implementation committee. The plan calls the implementation of the recommendations the most important step in the process.

The plan does not apply to the borough, which has its own Plan of Conservation and Development and Planning and Zoning Commission.

The plans states that it has three overarching principles: providing for sustainable development, strengthening existing villages and promoting low- impact commercial and residential approaches. One new section of the plan discusses climate change and recommends steps the town to take to prepare for its effects.

Earlier this month the subcommittee agreed that a controversial proposal to consider establishing "village districts" be removed after the Economic Development Commission and business leaders expressed opposition. Under the plan, village districts committees or a consultant would have had made recommendations to the Planning and Zoning Commission about the design and many other aspects of new and substantially renovated homes and business in downtown Pawcatuck and Mystic. It pointed out the suggestion was carried over from the current plan. Instead, the subcommittee will now recommend that the Architectural Review Board, which makes recommendations concerning the exterior appearance of only commercial development, be used to guide development in the villages.

The EDC is expected to urge the selectmen on Wednesday to recommend a number of changes to the plan. Some include no new lot size regulations, no increase in subdivision open space set aside from 15 to 20 percent, no establishment of a town land acquisition agency and supporting an effort to attract a 100 or more employee company to Stonington which would require 15 acres of vacant, new industrially zoned land served by water and sewer.

Copies of the plan are available in the planning office at Town Hall or online at http://www.stonington-ct.gov/sites/stoningtonct/files/file/file/pocd_final_draft_2.6.15.pdf

j.wojtas@theday.com

Twitter: @joewojtas