Darien is undergoing one of the most significant transformations in its history. With historic levels of new development underway, some residents are concerned about how the town’s character — and its hometown “feel” — may change.
Darien First Selectman and DMA member Jon E. Zagrodzky will discuss what these shifts could mean for Darien’s culture, day-to-day life, and infrastructure needs, and how the town is working to manage growth proactively. A key part of that effort is the new Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD), which will set Darien’s long-term vision for the next decade. The draft POCD is expected to be finalized by April 30, followed by a public hearing in July and Planning & Zoning Commission action later that month.
Darien has more than 400 multi-family housing units newly completed, under construction or planned, representing several hundred million dollars in investment. At the same time, the town may be affected by a new state affordable housing law that became effective on January 1, 2026: House Bill 8002, An Act Concerning Housing Growth. Jon will address the potential impacts of this new law, along with Darien’s broader housing strategy.
There will be ample time for Q&A, and Jon is happy to discuss related topics such as Great Island or town debt — nothing is off limits!
Jon was elected First Selectman for the Town of Darien in November 2023 and re-elected in November 2025. His prior town positions include chairman of the Board of Finance, member of the Town and Police Pension Boards and member of the Public Works Garage and Ox Ridge School Building Committee Boards. He had also served as a member and president of the Darien Historical Society.
Until his December 2023 retirement, Jon served as chief operating officer and chief financial officer of Rhône Group L.L.C., a middle market private equity firm, where he was responsible for finance, operations, human resources, administration, information technology and business planning. Prior to Rhône, he was chief administrative officer and chief compliance officer at Oak Hill Capital Management and before that spent 16 years at McKinsey & Company.
Jon earned a B.A. in economics and romance languages from Washington and Lee University and an M.B.A. from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He is a commercial pilot and owns a Piper Seneca III based in Bridgeport. Jon moved to Darien with his wife Sara and their two children, Maggie and Jack, in 2005.