These minutes are for informational purposes only. For official minutes, please contact the Town Clerk's Office.
PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 22, 2002
CALL TO ORDER
Joan Howard, Chairman, called the Regular Meeting of the Simsbury Planning Commission to order at 7:31pm in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. The following members were present: David Ryan, Susan Bednarcyk, Ernest Gardow, Carol Cole, and John Loomis. Also present was William Voelker, Director of Community Planning and Development.
APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES
As there were no votes scheduled on the agenda, no alternates were necessary.
PRE-PLANNING FOR PLAN OF DEVELOPMENT
Chairman Howard opened by explaining that the Commission wanted to first review the previous Plan of Development to get a context of the prior process and what was done in the past. To that end, she had asked Mr. Leonard Tolisano, Senior Planner, to attend the meeting to present aspects of the old Plan and be available for questions. She was notified at 4:30pm that Mr. Voelker would not be allowing Mr. Tolisano to attend the meeting.
A question was asked regarding public access to the Plan of Development and Chairman Howard indicated that after the Commission has reviewed the previous Plan, agreed upon a framework for the new Plan of Development, established a timeline and budget, etc., then the information would be made public. She said the Commission would like to then set up a number of education sessions for the public, and other Boards and Commissions, with speakers on various topics like economic development, land development rights or transportation. The Commission was then asked to provide a schedule of what was being done at each meeting so that the public could attend meetings of interest. It was also asked when is the Plan due. Chairman Howard thought the Plan was due in 2004, and Bill Voelker confirmed this.
Chairman Howard indicated the Commission’s desire to make use of Mr. Tolisano’s expertise as a primary source of history on the previous plan; Mr. Voelker stated he had no objection to that and asked if the Commission was requesting Mr. Tolisano’s attendance at the next meeting. Chairman Howard said yes; Mr. Voelker approved the request.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mr. Voelker stated there were no announcements from the Planning Department.
STAFF REPORTS
Commissioner Gardow stated that at the December planning meeting of the Capital Region Council of Governments (CRCOG), he viewed a 10-minute video that was in the process of being prepared for distribution, which addressed the subject of urban sprawl. He asked if Mr. Voelker’s office had received a copy, and Mr. Voelker said he had not received it. Commissioner Gardow said he did not know if the Town had to buy it but that it would be a good investment. He indicated that the video incorporated a survey of several towns, including Suffield, regarding provisions in their Plans of Development to discourage sprawl. As this would no doubt be an
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January 22, 2002
Page 2
important aspect of our Plan, the video would be effective and worth showing to the Zoning Commission, Design Review Board, etc. Chairman Howard suggested acquiring the video for our library, and Mr. Voelker said he would like to keep the original here and perhaps place a copy in the library.
Chairman Howard reminded Commission members of the availability in the library of information on other towns’ Plans of Development and encouraged them to take a look at those documents as they begin the process for Simsbury. Commissioner Gardow also stated that the video cited Collinsville and downtown West Hartford as examples of towns where you can park your car and access everything on foot, and that this has relevance to the Simsbury Center zone.
Commissioner Bednarcyk attended the last CRCOG where NEMO gave a presentation on planning through watersheds. She asked for brochures to be sent to the members since the presentation was interesting. She pointed out that as much as the focus of NEMO is on watersheds, they do full-fledged planning, offering courses on plans of development, etc. Commissioner Gardow asked what NEMO stands for, and Mr. Voelker said he did not remember and would have to look it up. He also indicated that that information would be on the NEMO website (www.nemo.uconn.edu) if anyone wanted to look there.
Chairman Howard next addressed the CRCOG schedule of meetings, indicating that Commissioner Katz would be attending the February 21st meeting. She explained that the Commission plans to rotate attendance at CRCOG meetings among the members. She said to get the packet of information from Lois in the Planning office on the day of the meeting, and advised calling ahead to ensure that the meeting was still being held. Commissioner Loomis said he will attend the March 21st meeting, and possibly the July meeting. It was requested by one of the members that a list of topics to be covered at the CRCOG meetings be attached to the schedule so members can choose attendance on that basis. Commissioner Gardow said this was helpful, indicating that he was planning to attend two meetings in a row due to the
subject matter of transportation issues for the region. Chairman Howard also reminded members that it is their responsibility to find a replacement if they cannot attend the meeting for which they are scheduled.
CORRESPONDENCE
None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES of December 11, 2001
A correction was indicated on page 2, paragraph 2, line 2 of the minutes. Rather than “Commissioner Loomis asked what implementations…”, it should read “implications”.
Commissioner Gardow moved to approve the minutes of December 11, 2001, as corrected. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Bednarcyk and passed unanimously.
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January 22, 2002
Page 3
ADJOURNMENT
Prior to adjourning, Commissioner Gardow stated that upon reviewing the Chamber of Commerce panel discussion held during the campaign, it was suggested that the Commission hold joint meetings with the other Commissions and Boards during the year. The Commission had a session with the Design Review Board at the last meeting, and Commissioner Gardow indicated that he would like to meet with the Zoning Commission within the next few months. Mr. Voelker asked what the subject of that meeting would be, and Commissioner Gardow indicated it was to establish a relationship and good rapport with the Zoning Commission as alluded to during the campaign panel discussion.
Chairman Howard said she would like the Planning Commission to meet with each of the other Commissions at least once during the year, and agreed with Commissioner Gardow that the Zoning Commission would be a primary source in assisting with the Plan of Development. She said that the Commission should first review the old Plan to find out what that plan accomplished, and to then determine the future issues to be addressed in the new Plan, so that they could establish a clear agenda for a joint meeting to get the Zoning Commission’s input. Mr. Voelker indicated that the Zoning Commission would want to know the purpose of the meeting, and Chairman Howard concurred.
Commissioner Bednarcyk then moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:50pm. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Loomis and passed unanimously.
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Pamela Katz, Secretary
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