Simsbury, CT - Planning Minutes

These minutes are for informational purposes only. For official minutes, please contact the Town Clerk's Office.

PLANNING COMMISSION

FEBRUARY 13, 2001

I. CALL TO ORDER

Joan Howard, Chairman, called the Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. The following members were present: David Horowitz, Susan Bednarcyk, and Alternates Cynthia Carey, Elise Sirman and Carol Cole. Pamela Katz arrived at 8:30 p.m. Also present were William Voelker, Director of Community Planning and Development and other interested parties.

II. APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES

Chairman Howard appointed Commissioner Carey to serve for Commissioner Gardow and Commissioner Sirman to serve for Commissioner Popik.

III. DISCUSSION OF STRATEGIC PLANNING ISSUES

1. Traditional Neighborhood Design

2. Expansion of Bike Path and Walking Trail Network

3. Implementation of the Town Center Charrette

4. Commercial Development on North Hopmeadow

5. The West Simsbury Commercial Zone

6. Use of Iron Horse Boulevard and Baker Property

7. Siting of New High School

8. Siting of New Athletic Fields

9. Open Space Acquisition

10. Preservation of Remaining Farms

11. Affordable and Senior Housing

12. Master Plan for Telecommunication Towers

13. Design Guidelines

The Commission members discussed most of the above strategic planning issues. Chairman Howard asked Mr. Voelker for an update on the telecommunications tower policy preferences draft that the Commission had come up with. Mr. Voelker said that it has been sent out to the Design Review Board and the Zoning Commission. He said that the First Selectman read the draft document into the record the night of the Public Information Hearing. Chairman Howard asked for a written update on the status of the procedures by the next meeting.

Commissioner Sirman asked Mr. Voelker if there are priorities with the Town Center Charrette. Mr. Voelker said that there are short range and long range strategies. Commissioner Cole said that one thing that came out of the Charrette was a suggestion for easing traffic throughout the town, traffic calming. Commissioner Sirman asked if the Public Safety Committee would have to get involved with traffic easing. Mr. Voelker responded yes.

Commissioner Horowitz discussed a process on how to address the strategic planning issues. He suggested people volunteer to address particular topics that interest them. Commissioner Horowitz volunteered for #2, Expansion of Bike Path and Walking Trail Network. He said that a good job has been done with regards to the Farmington Valley Greenway, but most people in Simsbury are not within a comfortable biking distance to the Greenway. Commissioner Horowitz said that additional bike and walking corridors should be developed that tie into the Greenway. He said that he would like to work with Bill and Culture

PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES

FEBRUARY 13, 2001

Parks and Recreation and map out a master conceptual plan of where bike paths could be placed. He said then it could go back to the Commissions for feedback, and possibly create a document that could be part of the Plan of Development.

Commissioner Bednarcyk volunteered for #3, Implementation of the Town Center Charrette. Chairman Howard and Commissioner Cole volunteered for #4, Commercial Development on North Hopmeadow. Commissioner Horowitz said that with Wagners, the International Skating Rink and at one time the talk of a new High School that this is turning into the development of another town center. He said that now is the time to consider how it should be developed. Commissioner Sirman said that the Commission should be concerned with what is happening just over the line in Granby with their development in terms of the traffic on Rte. 10 in Simsbury.

Mr. Voelker said that he has put in a request for funds to hire consultant services to update the Plan of Development and the Zoning Regulations.

Chairman Howard said that Commissioner Popik expressed interest on #5, West Simsbury Commercial Zone. Commissioner Bednarcyk expressed interest in #14, Tariffville.

Chairman Howard asked the status of the parking lot for the playing fields on Iron Horse Boulevard. Mr. Voelker said that the material choice is conventional pavement. Chairman Howard asked if they could put in a request to the Board of Selectman for the pervious material.

Commissioner Bednarcyk moved to send a letter of recommendation to the Board of Selectman to consider pervious pavement for the parking lot for the fields on Iron Horse Boulevard. This is in line with the Plan of Development’s ecological goals. This was seconded by Commissioner Carey. The motion passed unanimously.

A brief discussion followed #7, Siting of New High School. Commissioner Horowitz asked if there has been any consideration of Simsbury High School and Henry James Middle School swapping and then putting an addition on Henry James. Mr. Voelker said that Mr. Sawitzke would have to answer that as he has worked actively with the Board of Education.

#8, Siting of New Athletic Fields. Commissioner Carey said she thought it would make sense to put into the Plan of Development that when space is acquired these could be possibilities for schools and athletic fields. Commissioner Horowitz said that he would like to get a number from Parks & Recreation on their field needs.

#11, Affordable and Senior Housing. A discussion among the Commission members followed on affordable housing in Simsbury. Chairman Howard suggested an education session on affordable housing. Mr. Voelker said that they would need this before they do the Plan of Development. Chairman Howard asked if CRCOG does this. Mr. Voelker said they would have publications.

#13, Design Guidelines. This is being worked on by the Design Review Board.

Commissioner Katz said that she would take on #12, Master Plan for Telecommunication Towers.

PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES

FEBRUARY 13, 2001

IV. ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. CRCOG Meeting Schedule

Members of the Planning Commission signed up for future meetings of the Capitol Region Council of Governments Regional Planning Commission Meetings. Chairman Howard - April 19th, Commissioner Carey - May 17th, Commissioner Sirman - June 21st, Commissioner Horowitz - August 16th and Commissioner Cole - September 20th. Commissioner Gardow was already scheduled for the March 15th.

2. Proposed Amendments to the Fee Schedule

Chairman Howard read a letter from First Selectman Anita Mielert regarding fee establishment by the Board of Selectman. In her letter, the First Selectman said that the Chamber has conveyed to her their recommendation that the zoning application fee of $110 be reduced or eliminated when it relates to signage, and they recommended also that the $10 temporary sign permit fee be reduced or eliminated. First Selectman Anita Mielert recommends that the Board of Selectmen eliminate the fee currently associated with temporary sign permits and revise sections 85-2, 85-3, 85-4 and 85-5 to reflect a fee schedule that may be established from time to time by the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Voelker said that the only amendment to the actual fee schedule is the elimination of the $10 temporary sign permit fee.

Chairman Howard asked Mr. Voelker to let the Board of Selectmen know that this has been reviewed by the Planning Commission.

V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES January 9, 2001

Commissioner Sirman moved to approve the minutes of January 9, 2001 as amended. This was seconded by Commissioner Carey. The motion passed unanimously.

Change made on Page 2, Item V (Staff Review), under b - second paragraph, change word acquirements to read acquisitions.

Commissioner Sirman moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m. This was seconded by Commissioner Horowitz. The motion passed unanimously.

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Pamela Katz, Secretary