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These minutes are for informational purposes only. For official minutes, please contact the Town Clerk's Office.
PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
JULY 9, 2002
CALL TO ORDER
Pamela Katz, Acting Chairman, called the Regular Meeting of the Simsbury Planning Commission to order at 7:32pm in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. The following members were present: Susan Bednarcyk, David Ryan, Ernest Gardow, Cynthia Carey, Ferg Jansen, and John Loomis. Also present was William Voelker, Director of Community Planning and Development.
APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES
None
DISCUSSION OF PRE-PLANNING FOR PLAN OF DEVELOPMENT
State of Connecticut Conservation and Development Policies Plan 1998-2003
Discussion of 1994 Implementation Guide
Transportation
Commissioner Katz opened by stating that the review of the Transportation section of the 1994 Implementation Guide would take place at the next meeting, scheduled for July 23rd, since it was important for Rich Sawitzke, Town Engineer, to be present at that discussion. Also, Mr. Voelker had requested the Simsbury cut sheets from OPM for all the Commission members, and those had not yet arrived. Therefore, the review of the State of Connecticut Conservation and Development Policies Plan would be limited to a brief overview of the Land Use Map. Mr. Voelker read from section 8-23 of the CT General Statutes, D1-E, chapter 297, regarding a town’s obligation to note any inconsistencies its Plan of Development may have with the Statewide Plan of Conservation and Development. He gave copies of chapter
297 to the members and read an excerpt from page 163, regarding funding ties to the Statewide Plan, especially with respect to state grants, and also pertaining to State Bond Commission action. He said there must be very good reasons for any inconsistencies between Simsbury’s Plan and the Statewide Plan, as those inconsistencies could jeopardize the town’s ability to secure various types of funding.
Mr. Voelker then reviewed the Simsbury Locational Guide map, which was included in the members’ packets. He examined the various color codes, mentioning that the colors used on this particular map are different from those customarily used on land use maps. He read from the definitions given for each of the coded areas, noting that mixed uses was a recurrent theme throughout. The members pointed out various inconsistencies in the Locational Guide map and the town of Simsbury’s Land Use map, for example the CL & P property being listed as a neighborhood conservation area. It did not appear that the state and OPM referred to the Simsbury Land Use map when determining theirs. The commissioners expressed the desire to confer with a representative for the State to clear up these
inconsistencies and bring the two maps into agreement. Mr. Voelker agreed that this would be useful and appropriate as part of the process. He suggested that it would be most helpful to first review the Simsbury Land Use map as part of the Plan of Development update, ensuring any necessary changes are made, then bring out someone from OPM to go over any remaining inconsistencies with the State map.
Planning Commission Minutes
July 9, 2002
Page 2
Mr. Voelker stated that although the responsibility for spotting conflicts between Simsbury’s Plan of Development and the Statewide Plan rests with the town, we are referring to CRCOG, not OPM. CRCOG refers to OPM and the State Plan. In answer to the question of whether there are any inconsistencies between the CRCOG Regional Plan and the Statewide Plan, Mr. Voelker stated that he did not know. Commissioner Bednarcyk said she would ask that question when she attends the upcoming CRCOG meeting. Commissioner Loomis asked about if an update of the State Plan is underway and requested the calendar for that update process. Mr. Voelker responded that he did not know exactly where in that process the state was, but he said he would get the calendar on that for the members. Commissioner
Jansen remarked that the format of the State Plan seemed to have a good flow to it and was easy to use in the way it was written; Commissioner Katz agreed, stating that it might be a possible format they could use in updating the Simsbury Plan of Development.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Commissioner Katz said that Commissioner Jansen had agreed to prepare an initial draft of the letter to be sent to the various Boards and Commissions regarding the Plan of Development update. Commissioner Bednarcyk reminded the members that she had updated the letter used for the 1994 Plan and had presented this at the May 28th meeting. She also asked about the mailing lists requested at that time, stating that she had requested mailing lists for the Boards and Commissions, the Farmington River Watershed, the Simsbury Land Trust, PTOs, Homeowners Associations, and all other major landowners, in addition to the Main Street and Charette mailing lists already provided. Mr. Voelker said he could provide the list of other Boards and Commissions.
Commissioner Jansen suggested that the Planning Commission suggested a process for updating the Plan that would involve two rounds of discussion. The first round would be by invitation to the other Boards and Commissions, and other specific organizations or individuals, wherein these groups could give their thoughts on the 1994 Plan and what worked and didn’t work in that Plan, on the future needs of the town and on what they would like to see in the Plan, etc. Then the Planning Commission would prepare draft versions of each section of the Plan, incorporating ideas generated by these groups, as applicable. The second round would be open to the public, as well as the groups already consulted, wherein the prepared drafts could be examined and all interested parties would have an additional
opportunity to give their opinions on what should or should not be included in the Plan. Commissioner Loomis expressed enthusiasm for this proposal, as did other members, feeling that bringing people in on the process early, as well as providing them two opportunities to voice their opinions, would give them ownership of the Plan and help to improve the likelihood of future implementation of the completed Plan.
Commissioner Katz asked Commissioner Bednarcyk and Commissioner Jansen to form a subcommittee to draft the initial letter for review at the next meeting. She reiterated that a review of the Transportation section of the 1994 Implementation Guide with Rich Sawitzke would be on the agenda for the next meeting. She also reviewed the mailing lists still needed, including those of the other Boards and Commissions, PTOs (obtained from the Board of Education), Homeowner’s Associations, major land owners (obtainable from the tax office?), and the Chamber of Commerce. Commissioner Jansen said he has the Chamber mailing list.
Planning Commission Minutes
July 9, 2002
Page 3
STAFF REPORTS
None
CORRESPONDENCE
None
NEW APPLICATION(S)
None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES of June 25, 2002
The minutes of June 25, 2002 are to be put on the agenda for approval at the next meeting.
(REQUIRED SECOND NOTICE) ELECTION OF OFFICERS
The required second notice was given that the election of Chairman will be held at the meeting scheduled for July 23, 2002. Commissioner Loomis addressed the members that he was still considering whether to accept a potential nomination and election to the position of Chairman, if that were forthcoming. He explained that were he to assume the position of Chairman, he would have two areas of focus for the Planning Commission. The first area of focus would be on professionalism and cordiality in the Commission’s conduct of its business. The second would be in developing and delivering a Plan of Development that would get people motivated to implement the goals and objectives contained in the Plan. Commissioner Katz asked if Commissioner Loomis would notify the members of his intentions
with respect to the election of Chairman in advance of the July 23rd meeting, and he said he would.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Jansen moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:57pm. Commissioner Gardow seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
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Pamela Katz, Secretary
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