Cidra’s first revised Land Use Plan in 26 years is approved

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón

By THE STAR STAFF

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón signed Executive Order 2026-003 on Thursday, officially approving the first comprehensive revision of the Cidra municipality’s Land Use Plan in 26 years. The instrument will allow for updating land use and guiding the municipality’s development.

“With this update, the mayor of Cidra will be able to execute development plans for his municipality in a planned and sustainable manner, with updated information that is aligned with the needs of the citizens,” González Colón said in a written statement.

The governor said the updated plan will attract investment, strengthen local infrastructure, and promote responsible growth for the benefit of the municipality’s communities.

The Cidra Land Use Plan was originally adopted in 2000 and underwent a comprehensive review during 2025 through a collaborative agreement between the municipality and the Puerto Rico Planning Board, in order to address current conditions, environmental challenges, and urban growth patterns.

As part of the process, the Municipality of Cidra held public hearings where drafts of the Memorandum, the Progress Report, the proposed Minor Modification to the Puerto Rico Land Use Plan, and the Final Plan, with their respective maps and supporting documents, were presented.

The revision redefines the boundaries of the municipality’s Traditional Urban Center to recognize its historical development and promote compatible uses that will boost investment, tourism and commercial activity, in addition to identifying zones for mixed-use, commercial and industrial purposes.

The plan also incorporates measures for the protection of natural areas, water resources and ecosystems in the municipality, including forested areas, cave systems and critical areas for the conservation of the Puerto Rican plain pigeon, as well as strategies to mitigate flood and landslide risks. Planning Board Chairman Héctor Morales Martínez said the review incorporates a vision focused on sustainability, resilience and the quality of life of Cidra residents, while Mayor Delvis Pagán Clavijo emphasized that the plan will facilitate responsible economic development and the protection of the municipality’s natural resources.