HVCEO serves as the state defined regional planning organization for the ten municipalities in the Housatonic Valley Region of Connecticut. 

It maintains an inventory of maps for area planning. The public is welcome to utilize these resources. This page also includes links to other map and photo resources of interest as described below.

To discuss map matters contact George Blake, Geographic Information System Manager.

1. REGIONAL OVERVIEW MAPS 
Within the HVCEO GIS system, these are the most fundamental maps in the series, upon which other data layers are most commonly displayed. Inquiries are welcome. The following overview maps reveal much about the area:

-- Topographic Overview

-- Median Family Income by Neighborhood

-- Median Value of Owner Occupied Units

-- Draft 2008 Regional Plan Map

-- Land Use by Satellite

-- Commuter Orientation to Region by Municipality

-- Functional Classification of Roadways

-- Roadways Expansion from 2 to 4 lanes

-- Emergency 911 Resources Map

-- Regional Constraints on Development Map
CONSTRAINTS ON DEVELOPMENT MAP FOR BETHEL
CONSTRAINTS ON DEVELOPMENT MAP FOR BRIDGEWATER
CONSTRAINTS ON DEVELOPMENT MAP FOR BROOKFIELD
CONSTRAINTS ON DEVELOPMENT MAP FOR DANBURY
CONSTRAINTS ON DEVELOPMENT MAP FOR NEW FAIRFIELD

CONSTRAINTS ON DEVELOPMENT MAP FOR NEW MILFORD
CONSTRAINTS ON DEVELOPMENT MAP FOR NEWTOWN
CONSTRAINTS ON DEVELOPMENT MAP FOR REDDING
CONSTRAINTS ON DEVELOPMENT MAP FOR RIDGEFIELD
CONSTRAINTS ON DEVELOPMENT MAP FOR SHERMAN

2. DETAILED MUNICIPAL
MAPS WITH STREET NAMES 
For quick access to highly detailed Conn DOT pdf maps of each municipality, which include the names of all local public roads, proceed to the Ten Detailed Maps in the Area Info section.

3. AERIAL PHOTOS: 
3A) TOP DOWN 2004 AERIALS. A complete set of 2004 digital aerials were provided to HVCEO by Connecticut DOT in 2006. Prints are available for a fee.

A web based version of the CT 2004 aerial photos is also available. (You may be prompted for a download of an Active X control - prompt will be at the top of your page and ask you to “click here” to install).

3A) New Fairfield Town Hall using 2004 DOT aerials

3B) FREE MICROSOFT SIDE VIEW AERIALS. Microsoft offers free color aerial photos of side views (not top down like the photos described above).

Once at this site plug in a street address at "Search." Then use "Bird's eye" view and the rotation arrows to obtain various side views of your property.

3B) New Fairfield Town Hall using Microsoft side view aerials

3C) HISTORIC 1934 AERIALS. If your property research or historical interest takes you to the the past, detailed 1934 aerial photos of many Connecticut towns are available.

4. PARCEL (TAX) MAPS:
The 2/2005 report entitled "The Status of Digital Parcel Maps and Geographic Information Systems in the Region" provides a detailed 2005 town by town update on the continuing development of this important municipal management resource. The report will be updated to state that a digital parcel map for Bridgewater has now been completed.

The goal of this research is for each town to make faster progress by seeing clearly where it stands in relation to its neighbors, coupled with the borrowing of successful ideas.

To some extent municipal parcel maps are available directly from HVCEO. But these are copies of municipal products and were not created by HVCEO, nor does this organization update them. Accuracy varies. Contact GIS Manager George Blake for details.

5. GROWTH GUIDE MAP:
This map displays the draft regional growth plan for the area as required by state statute.

It identifies the most desirable future intensity, thus guiding growth to the most suitable locations. See also the accompanying plan chapter.

6. AQUIFERS AND WATERSHEDS: 
Maps of existing and potential water supply aquifers and watersheds are accessible thru the Water Supplies and Water Resources section of the regional plan.

If an aquifer has a specific CT DEP mandated aquifer protection district, then links to protection area maps at CT DEP are provided.

7.  2000 CENSUS TRACTS
Census tracts are subareas of municipalities for which the Census Bureau has collected data. Maps showing tract and block numbers, along with data, are available directly from the  U.S. Census Bureau's web site, as described below.

Large size prints of these maps are also available from HVCEO.

HOW TO FIND A CENSUS TRACT NUMBER:
Start at www.census.gov. Once there, look down to the category "Geography", then to right and press the link to "Maps." Press the link to "Map Products." Then press "Reference Maps. Once there go to the bullet for "Census Tract Outline Maps" and press "2000."

Press the link to "Connecticut," then to "Fairfield" or "Litchfield" (Counties). This index takes you to the actual census tract maps, for example Danbury, Bethel and Newtown on one map, or New Milford and Bridgewater on another. Then identify from the map the census tract number that you want data for. Retain this four digit tract identification number and proceed to step two below.

HOW TO FIND DATA FOR A CENSUS TRACT
ONCE YOU HAVE A CENSUS TRACT NUMBER:
First, go to to www.census.gov. Then use the link to "American Fact Finder" in the left column. Use the link to "Data Sets", then to Detailed Tables" at right.

You are then asked to "Select Geography." Click "Census Tract" under "Geographic Type." Then add state, county and census tract number. Go below and press the "Add" button, then right and press the "Next" button. At this point the tables particular to the census tract come into view. Select a variable of interest and press "Add" and "Show Result."

8. SOIL AND SLOPE
CONSTRAINTS BY MUNICIPALITY
Fundamental for preparing either a town plan or parcel development are the primary site factors of soil, slope and wetness. While the provision of water and sewer utilities can mitigate some site constraints, in this Region the geographic extent of such utilities will always be limited.

Successful planning, then, will require municipal regulations to take into account both the presence of utilities and their traditional key natural site limitations. These constraints are shown on the Soil and Slope Constraints by Municipality Maps.

9. SURFICIAL MATERIALS (SUBSOIL) MAPS
Located between the Region’s soil layer above and its bedrock layer below is an important middle layer of glacially deposited material.

Mapping of these glacial "surficial materials" by municipality is available from the U.S. Geological Survey’s 1992 Surficial Materials Map of Connecticut, excerpted for our Region as Surficial Materials (Subsoil) Maps.

10. BEDROCK MAPS BY USGS
Proceed to maps by quadrangle for all of Connecticut nicely organized by the Talcott Mountain Science Center.

For localized information on bedrock, gems and minerals and interesting links related to this topic proceed to the Danbury Mineralogical Society.

11. USGS TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS
This is the most basic national mapping system, used for a wide variety of purposes.

11A) MOST CURRENT MAPS. Insert a zip code into the "Quick Map Search" box at this U.S. Topographic Map page provided by the National Geographic Society. Then zoom in to the most detailed view.

11B) CIRCA 1950 MAPS. As the region's physical planning and development proceeds, it is helpful to have an understanding of where the area has been, its geographic roots and traditional landscape. These factors can be identified on U.S. Geological Survey maps dating from near 1950.

12. ENDANGERED SPECIES MAPS
Proceed to these maps, via an index organized by municipality, at the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection.

See also all locations gathered by HVCEO onto a single regional overview map labeled Natural Diversity Database.