These minutes are for informational purposes only. For official minutes, please contact the Town Clerk's Office.
PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MAY 8, 2001
I. CALL TO ORDER
Joan Howard, Chairman, called the Regular Meeting of the Simsbury Planning Commission to order at 7:35 p.m. in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. The following members were present: Pamela Katz, David Horowitz, Susan Bednarcyk, Alexis Rankin Popik, Ernest Gardow and Alternates Cynthia Carey, Elise Sirman and Carol Cole. Also present were Richard Sawitzke, Town Engineer and other interested parties.
II. APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES
None
III. OPEN SPACE/VACANT LAND MAPS
a. Review of open space inventory and acquisition evaluation by Town Engineer, Richard Sawitzke.
Richard Sawitzke, Town Engineer, discussed the open space/vacant land maps. He said that they have been trying to update the map with acquisitions for purchases, conservation easements or land trust. Mr. Sawitzke said that some parcels listed on the map would be removed, as they no longer have vacant land. The Westminster School is an example, as it no longer has a lot of vacant land. He said that others might be pulled off because they were purchased or have become developed. Mr. Sawitzke discussed the Farmington River Valley, the eastern ridgeline and the western ridgeline and also explained about the different color coding on the map. He said that Ethel Walker School owns the biggest continuous single parcel of land in town. Mr. Sawitzke said that Ethel Walker School has a long history of either selling pieces to the
town or breaking off pieces to be developed. He said that one of the biggest concerns of Ethel Walker School is the riding trails, and they want to be assured that if they sell land to the town that they have open rights to use the equestrian trails.
Commissioner Bednarcyk asked what the town owns in development rights. Mr. Sawitzke said that the only development rights they own now are half of the Christensen land. He said that most of the properties the town owns are fee simple.
Chairman Howard asked if the Land Trust’s land interest is the same as the towns. Mr. Sawitzke said that the Land Trust is interested in habitat and agricultural preservation. Chairman Howard asked what the procedure is between the Land Trust and the Town to acquire property when it becomes available. Mr. Sawitzke said that the Land Trust wants to acquire pretty good size contiguous pieces, while the Town will pick up smaller parcels as they become available.
Commissioner Horowitz asked how development rights are valued with respect to tobacco growing land. Mr. Sawitzke said that most appraisers do not appraise tobacco land at high value. Chairman Howard asked Mr. Sawitzke to highlight special habitat and farm areas. Mr. Sawitzke said that the regional group of towns is doing a study on habitat corridors. He said that this study should be completed in about eighteen months.
Commissioner Gardow asked what the schedule is for the new playing fields on Iron Horse Boulevard. Mr. Sawitzke said that the sod should be put down next week and the sports teams should be able to use them this fall. The Hartford Symphony will be using the fields in June. Commissioner Gardow asked about the Rte 185 bridge.
Mr. Sawitzke said that this job has been bid and the state is reviewing them. The job may be started this summer.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
MAY 8, 2001
PAGE 2
Mr. Sawitzke said that he is looking for direction. Commissioner Horowitz said that the town should go for parcels where there is a potential for high residential development. He said he feels that acquiring parcels that could be heavily developed would pay for itself. Mr. Sawitzke said that there are not a lot of vacant lots in town, but there are a lot of vacant bedrooms. Commissioner Carey said that she believes that the Land Trust would buy up ridge property and the town should keep an eye on developable land.
IV. DISCUSSION
a. Plan of Development Update
Chairman Howard said that funding would come available for the Plan of Development on July 1st. She said that she would like to look into hiring consultants this summer. Chairman Howard said in the fall she would like to start an educational process such as inviting in speakers to talk about open space, preservation and economic development. She would also like to have these meetings televised. Chairman Howard said they need to decide what is different in the last 10 years in the plans and decide what they should focus on. She said that in the beginning of 2002 they could gather data and start getting it together. Commissioner Horowitz asked if they would be doing this at regular meetings. Chairman Howard said that as they are starting the process early enough they could probably devote time from the end of their regular
meetings to work on it.
Commissioner Katz said that at a future meeting she would like to talk about the process. She said that different towns used different processes. She would like to discuss how other towns did the process of review and who was included.
Commissioner Bednarcyk said that in the past this Commission invited all other Commissions, groups and members of the pubic in to speak about the entire plan and give input. They would then discuss this at their meetings.
Commissioner Popik said that she feels the speakers should come later and the Commissioners should have things to read first. She said they should use speakers when there are specific questions. Commissioner Popik said that time should be used productively. Commissioner Gardow said that they should define what they want the Consultants to do first. Commissioner Gardow said that Len Tolisano was involved in the previous process and could be invited in to discuss the historical background on the ‘94 Plan of Development.
Jim Gazzola, Briarwood Drive, said that the Commission should hold off on too many speakers early on. He said that they should increase their knowledge and education first and this would help when they do bring in speakers.
V. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Chairman Howard said that there was a notice in the Commission packets from CRCOG for a workshop on Siting
Telecommunications Towers to be held on May 15, 2001.
VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES April 24, 2001
Commissioner Gardow moved to approve the minutes of April 24, 2001 as corrected after Commission Clerk checks tape from meeting of April 24, 2001 for one correction. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Katz and passed unanimously.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
MAY 8, 2001
PAGE 3
Change made on page 1, item III, paragraph 4, 7th sentence - change Fire Marhsal to read Fire Marshal.
Change made on page 1, item III, paragraph 5, 3rd sentence - change with Bill to with Bill Voelker.
Change made on page 2, 1st paragraph, 4th sentence - change right away to right of way.
Change made on page 2, 4th paragraph, 1st sentence - change March 27th meeting to March 27th meeting and walked the property.
Change made on page 4, 8th paragraph, 5th sentence - change alternative drawing on the plan to alternative drawing on the plan, which reflects the driveway off the private road.
Change made on page 4, last paragraph, 1ST and 3rd sentences - change Chairman Howard to The Commissioners discussed and change new life put in to new trees added.
VII. EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. Discussion of Meadowood Litigation
Chairman Howard and the Commission Clerk left the meeting at 9:20 p.m. The rest of the Commissioners went into Executive Session at 9:20 p.m. The Executive Session ended at 9:30 p.m. No motions taken at the Executive Session.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
______________________________________
Pamela Katz, Secretary
| 
