(a) For the purposes of this section, “economic development master plan” means (1) a comprehensive economic development plan that is designed to increase the tax base of a municipality, or the combined tax bases of two or more municipalities, as applicable, to a level that will allow the municipality or municipalities to provide an adequate level of municipal services, or (2) a comprehensive economic development plan developed pursuant to § 7-578.

(b) Prior to execution of a memorandum of agreement between the authority and the chief executive officer of a member municipality, or the chief executive officers of the municipalities constituting a joint member entity, as applicable, establishing a development district, the member municipality or joint member entity shall develop an economic development master plan and submit such plan for the authority’s review and approval. Each member municipality or joint member entity shall provide for community and stakeholder input and a public comment process in the development of its economic development master plan, and such plan shall be approved by the legislative body of such member municipality or the legislative bodies of the municipalities constituting such joint member entity, as applicable.

(c) In determining whether to approve an economic development master plan developed under subsection (b) of this section, the authority shall consider whether such plan includes a clear and feasible path toward achieving as many of the purposes of the authority, as set forth in subsection (a) of § 8-169jj, as practical and appropriate in the context of the unique characteristics of a member municipality or the municipalities constituting a joint member entity, as applicable. The authority shall offer support to such municipality or municipalities in creating the economic development master plan, if requested by such municipality or municipalities.

(d) Any authority development project that receives support from the authority shall be consistent with (1) the economic development master plan of the member municipality, or the municipalities constituting the joint member entity, as applicable, in which such project is located, (2) the plan of conservation and development, adopted under § 8-23, of each such municipality, and (3) the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy prepared under § 32-742.