MINUTES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
MAY 13, 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 Dave Balboni, Sharon Craig, and Nancy Haase, as well as other interested parties.
II. MINUTES – 4/08/04
The following changes were made to the April 8, 2004 EDC Minutes. On Page 1 under 86 Hopmeadow Street Presentation, paragraph 2, it should read The lease price is $22/sq. ft. ($8/sq. ft. for taxes is eliminated). On page 4, paragraph 1, Dave Ryan asked that the second and third sentences be revised to say The organizations which conform to the Town’s posting policy, i.e. those which are non-profit Simsbury organizations, may be posted on an events calendar on the Town web site. Letters will be sent out to those organizations, and those that don’t qualify for posting on the Town site will be handled separately.
Dave Ryan made a motion, seconded by Sharon Craig, and passed unanimously to approve the 4/8/04 EDC Minutes with the amended changes.
III. PROJECT REVIEW
Simsbury Events Coordination - Lou George reviewed the e-mail that had been sent to members by Dave Ryan regarding the Town’s posting policy of Simsbury organizations. Nancy Haase will contact Dave Ryan to get specific information on this for the Press Release that will be done when this is up and running on the web site.
Lou George informed the EDC members that he was meeting with Mike Goman, President of Simsbury Main Street, later today to review what was happening there and would report back to EDC at the next meeting.
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
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MAY 13, 2004
Plan of Development Proposal – The letter written by Scott Barnett, which looks to change land use in particular areas, had been reviewed at the last meeting.
The EDC members were all in favor of having this letter signed and sent to John Loomis.
Updated Business - Lou George reported he had received an update in April from Jeff Kezerian about the Internet Access. Jeff was approached by Choice One stating that if 5 telephone lines were used, they would give you a T-One line at no additional cost. Jeff was able to take advantage of this opportunity, however, other businesses could not use this. Jeff will present to the EDC in the near future, a plan offering two proposals.
New Business - It was reported that the Town of Middletown now offers in its Main Street area free wireless Internet service.
Lou George received an item from Fred Wergeles, President of Youth Hockey Association, who has been in close contact with Littleton, Colorado. Littleton developed a concept called “Economic Gardening.” This provides a group of Town employees to help businesses with marketing, competitive analysis, retail, etc. in an effort to grow existing businesses in Town. This ultimately has attracted other businesses to Town, and Littleton has increased their commercial base 300% in 10 years. Fred has had meetings regarding this issue, and Lou George asked if an EDC member would attend these meetings. Nancy Haase said she would attend.
It was reported to the EDC members that at the June 10th meeting, Ensign Bickford would be present to discuss ideas and projects in the Powder Forest.
Sharon Craig asked if EDC could get an update on the GIS. She said Glastonbury has a site (GIS.GLASCT.ORG) that is phenomenal.
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
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MAY 13, 2004
IV. SIMSBURY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE/DISCUSSION OF CENTER ZONE AND IRON HORSE BOULEVARD
The purpose of the two Boards meeting and discussing were to express the long-term vision of the Center Zone/Iron Horse area.
Charity Folk distributed to the EDC members the Proposed “Simsbury Center Zone” Zoning Regulation that was submitted by the Chamber of Commerce (Addendum I).
A draft map of the expansion of the Center Zone was also reviewed, and it was stated that the Chamber is considering Iron Horse Blvd. part of the Center Zone, and therefore the changes proposed are applicable.
The wetland areas on the map were pointed out, (off Iron Horse Blvd.) and it was explained that some are recreational and some undeveloped.
A Chamber member and business developer in Town expressed concern with the old Center Zone Regulations being outdated, and most new businesses coming to Town not following/using them as guidelines. It was stated the Chamber had spent many hours working on their Zoning Regulation proposal for the Center Zone, and it was the hope these would not fall by the wayside.
It was also stated that the majority of the rents in the Center Zone area are occupied by a service or retail business and also housing. Any office space available is not selling.
Discussions took place regarding relocating the Hopmeadow Fire Station to an adjacent lot and thus creating a space for a new business. The location of the downtown Post Office was also discussed as to whether this destination brings people to the Center Zone area, or could this be relocated to a different area of Hopmeadow Street as well.
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
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MAY 13, 2004
The Chamber of Commerce expressed concern if the parking lots on Iron Horse Boulevard were eliminated. They will be needed when the Center Zone area expands.
It was also said that preliminary discussions have taken place regarding including West Street in the Center Zone area.
The addition of the Simsbury Meadows Band Shell was briefly discussed and how this could impact the Town.
It was agreed by all present that the focus of the groups involved should be encouraging downtown development, finding ways to bring more people to the area, and identify uses of parcels available to then market.
V. ADJOURNMENT
The Economic Development Commission unanimously adjourned the meeting at 9:20 A.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Laurie Lungarini
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