MINUTES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
FEBRUARY 5, 2004
I. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Economic Development Commission was called to order at 7:40 A.M. in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. Present were Chairman Lou George, Commission Members Scott Barnett, Sharon Craig, Nancy Haase, Alan Levesque, John Carrol, and Dave Ryan.
II. MINUTES – 1/8/04 & 1/15/04
It was agreed by the Commission Members that the above Minutes would be voted on at the next EDC meeting scheduled in March.
III. DEVELOPERS SHOWCASE DISCUSSION
The Developers Showcase is scheduled for Tuesday, March 23rd at the Farmington Marriott from 5:15 – 8:15 P.M. The cost for an 8 ft. table is $350 and includes admission for two. Additional admission passes cost $50 per person. Payment must be received by February 12th.
Scott Barnett made a motion, seconded by John Carrol, and passed unanimously for EDC to be involved and attend the Developers Showcase on March 23rd.
Lou George, Nancy Haase and Alan Levesque said they would attend the Showcase on behalf of Simsbury EDC.
Ideas were discussed on what materials should be brought and highlighted at the Showcase. Updated materials and photos will be brought, and Alan Levesque will check on the cost of a sign for EDC. A drawing for a round of golf will be held for those who drop off business cards. Members should arrive at the Marriott at 4:15 P.M. to set-up.
Sharon Craig suggested it would be a good idea if a follow-up letter was sent by Tom Vincent (perhaps via e-mail) after the Showcase, thanking those MINUTES
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who stopped by the Simsbury display, stating Simsbury is open for business, and announcing who won the drawing, etc.
IV. PROJECT REVIEWS
On the recommendation of Nancy Haase, a press release was done stating support of the EDC to Andy’s for expanding the space next to their store, and creating a Liquor Store business. Lou George said this press release was positive for the business, Simsbury, and EDC should continue in this manner.
Copies of the television segment shown on WFSB with Scot Haney on January 16th will be given to the EDC for viewing.
Dave Ryan reported he is waiting to hear from the Chamber regarding the Events Coordination. To date, they have added to the Town web site a calendar for non-profit businesses.
Lou George reported on the Budget Workshop he attended earlier in the week. A number of questions were asked regarding the Visitor’s Center and Main Street. The First Selectmen’s office had $23,000 budgeted for Main Street and $3,000 for the Visitor’s Center. Lou George explained at the workshop what the additional $15,000 would be for, and also explained the goals of the EDC.
Plan of Development Proposal – The proposal being done by Scott Barnett is written as a presentation with ideas and specifics suggested to the Planning Commission.
Members discussed the draft presentation, and changes were made including grammatical, typographical, rewording the Vision Statement, and moving some paragraphs. Tax base numbers were asked to be rechecked.
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Additional information was added regarding Senior Housing (more affordable and age-restricted, mixed-use structures, Center Zone area, etc.),
example of the Kaplan’s (Fiddler’s Green owners) experience with the approval process in Town and Simsbury Bank, and in the Transportation section, including infrastructure communication, high-speed connections, etc.
The paragraph on the EDC Coordinator will be removed as this needs more exploring by the EDC, and is a goal to be decided for the coming year.
A motion was made, and passed unanimously, approving that this plan would be presented to the Plan of Development on February 24, 2004.
Bill Voelker reported to the Commission Members of an application for a 15,000 sq. ft. office building on the north side of town (Tower Business Park) on Hopmeadow Street. This application will go before the Zoning Commission in March.
It was agreed Nancy Haase and Sharon Craig would review the file and attend the March 1st Zoning meeting.
Bill Voelker also reported that the Corner Cupboard on the corner of West St. and Bushy Hill Rd. did good holiday season business, although a sewer lateral collapsed, and they now need to add a sewer lateral into West. St. costing them about three times more than what it originally should have.
Sports Complex – this land is now under option by Antonio’s and the Complex will lease land from Antonio’s. Steve Antonio would like to operate the restaurant that would be in front of the Complex.
V. NEW BUSINESS
Lou George reported Zoning was looking for money (approximately $65,000) to fund new Zoning Regulations.
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Zoning will make this request to the Board of Selectmen who then decides if this is a valid request to go before the Board of Finance. The Zoning Commission wants to get an outside, independent review of its regulations. More efficiencies to the regulations are wanted.
Nancy Haase distributed to the Members an announcement (ADDENDUM I) from the Tariffville Village Green Design Project, asking residents how they would like the green at 31 Main Street to look like. She stated the Tariffville Village Association is celebrating their first anniversary.
Nancy also handed out information on the MMM Trail Scenic Study (ADDENDUM II) and said she attended one of the forums for this. Their web site is mmmtrail.org. On this site it shows the time-line of the actual process.
Sharon Craig distributed the article (ADDENDUM III) about Common Ground on Balanced Growth from the Real Estate Exchange.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
The Economic Development Commission unanimously adjourned the meeting at 9:10 A.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Laurie Lungarini
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