PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 7, 2004
SPECIAL MEETING
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman John Loomis called the special meeting of the Planning Commission to order at 6:35 p.m. in Room 106 of the Simsbury Town Offices. The following members were present: Secretary Ernest Gardow, Joan Howard, Greg Piecuch, Carol Cole, Brad Mead and Ferguson Jansen. Also in attendance was William Voelker, Director of Community Planning and Development.
II. APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES
Chairman Loomis appointed Joan Howard as alternate for David Ryan and Brad Mead as alternate for Susan Bednarcyk.
At 6:40 p.m., Commissioner Piecuch motioned to go directly to agenda item VIIb and enter Executive Session for the purpose of discussion of the Meadowood Litigation. The motion was seconded by Secretary Gardow and passed with a vote of 4-0, with Commissioners Jansen and Howard abstaining and subsequently recusing themselves.
VII. STAFF REPORTS
b. Discussion of Meadowood Litigation (Executive Session)
At 7:30 p.m. Secretary Gardow motioned to come out of Executive Session. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Piecuch and passed unanimously.
III. EDITING AND COMPLETION OF ENVIRONMENT DRAFT
Although it would not be dealt with in detail tonight, Chairman Loomis requested comments or questions regarding the latest (8/30/04) Environmental topic draft. Secretary Gardow acknowledged the duplication of several statements due to the complexity of the topic. He suggested creating a glossary of terms that would be appropriate to this section. A decision will be made during discussions of the final draft as to whether a single glossary would be used for the entire Plan or a separate one pertaining to each topic. Commissioner Howard indicated she had not yet drafted something on permeable paving surfaces but still intends on it and would like to come back to it at the final draft. She also suggested editing the document in a way to reduce duplication, e.g., creating one statement to
include the idea of best management practices rather than repeating it throughout the document.
This latest draft will now be shelved and await input from Howard Beach, Chairman, Inland Wetlands Conservation Commission, in reference to a new Policy 11.
IV. FINAL EDITING OF HISTORIC RESOURCES INTRODUCTION
Commissioner Piecuch handed out a revised copy of the Historic Resources Introduction reflecting changes as discussed at the 8/10/04 meeting. Minor changes were discussed, including replacing the word ‘draw’ in Paragraph 2 with ‘resource’ as well as reversing phrases to put a more positive emphasis on the last sentence in that same paragraph. The revised sentence now reads ‘In other words, the Commission sees our historic character not as a barrier, but as an opportunity’.
In addition, Commissioner Piecuch handed out a copy of the Environmental Introduction which the Commissioners will review and discuss at the next meeting. He agreed to email a copy to all of the Commissioners, as well as Howard Beach for his input.
V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – August 3, 2004 and August 10, 2004
The August 3, 2004 minutes remained tabled as Susan Bednarcyk, who wished to review the tapes to either confirm or change specific comments she made, was not present at this meeting.
Commissioner Piecuch motioned to approve the August 10, 2004 minutes as amended. Secretary Gardow seconded the motion and it was passed with a vote of 5-0, with Commissioners Mead and Jansen abstaining.
VI. COMMUNICATIONS
a. Response from Library Board Chairman
Chairman Loomis indicated Carol Bingham has responded to the Plan of Conservation and Development drafts that were forwarded to her recently. She was pleased with the reference within the Community Facilities draft of the support of the library and its expansion. However, she requested more detail on the reference to creating a ‘historic preservation center’ in the Preservation of Historic Resources draft. Chairman Loomis opened discussions to clarify specifically what was meant by that reference.
Commissioner Jansen indicated that a fairly extensive genealogy library already exists. Commissioners Jansen and Howard suggested the proposed center could be more of a centralized index or glossary of where one can access information on historic sites and/or structures, including what’s available at the Town Hall, the Historical Society, etc.
Mr. Voelker will develop a summary of the Historic Resources Inventory, as well as the archaeological inventory, that currently resides in the Town Hall. Copies could be made available to reside in the proposed library center. Chairman Loomis indicated more details will also be supplied to Carol when the final draft of the Historic Resources topic is done.
b. Simsbury Town Farm contact from Bill Walsh
Bill Walsh contacted Chairman Loomis after viewing the televised meeting in reference to farmland preservation. Chairman Loomis provided Mr. Walsh a copy of the Environmental draft requesting his personal comments and feedback and asking him not to share the draft with anyone else at this point.
c. Status of Farmington Valley Greenway Project
Chairman Loomis recently spoke with 2 opponents of the currently proposed Greenway extension through Hazelmeadow. They expressed their concerns, as well as those of the group of project opponents they are leading. Their reservations include the fact that their land abuts the right-of-way and they fear problems with theft and noise. Richard Sawitze, Town Engineer, has made offers of providing buffers to those individual properties that abut the Greenway section. Chairman Loomis spoke with Mr. Sawitzke and indicated the statement to see the project proceed that was made in the ’94 Plan, as well as the one the Commission intends to make in the draft of the new Plan, still holds.
d. September Meeting Schedule:
• 9/8/04 – Simsbury Smart Growth
Chairman Loomis indicated he plans on attending this meeting, however indicated it was optional for the other Commissioners as to whether they wanted to attend or not. Commissioner Piecuch handed out copies of the Metropatterns report that will be discussed. If the meeting is found to be relevant to the revision of the Plan of Development, Secretary Gardow suggested inviting them to present to the Planning Commission.
• 9/14/04 – Special Town Meeting in reference to the Track and Field Proposal
Chairman Loomis will be attending and proposes that the Commission go in some number as well. Mr. Tom Vincent has requested Bob Mulé to moderate the meeting. Chairman Loomis read an excerpt from the rules for a special town meeting as drafted by Town Council. He also suggested the Commissioners familiarize themselves with the Town Charter prior to attending the meeting.
According to Chairman Loomis, one of the huge issues yet to be answered satisfactorily is to what extent will this be a community facility. Commissioner Jansen raised another question yet answered: should the town spend extra money for the Astroturf? Commissioner Cole expressed her strong feeling that the track and field is a high school facility and belongs at the high school. Commissioner Mead emphasized the need for the residents to be a part of a process for defining rules for the field’s use. He reiterated that the Commission voted no on the 8-24 Referral in March of this year not because they didn’t support the project, but because there needed to be discussion and a process established
for implementation. With the wording ‘and lighting’ being added to the bond language so late there was no chance for that discussion. Commissioner Jansen indicated that upon the denial good discussions began, trying to involve affected residents and to talk about what the plans, options and associated costs were. However, those discussions unfortunately were stopped after the petition was circulated to take the matter to a special vote. Commissioner Piecuch would like to see cost break-outs for the different options (i.e., proper drainage for a grass field with the track at the high school and then maybe a community facility with Astroturf somewhere else).
Due to the conflict, there will be no Planning Commission meeting that night. The next meeting will be a special meeting on 9/21 at 5:30 p.m. to begin discussion of the Housing topic. Drafting of the Housing topic will occur on 9/28 and editing will occur at a special meeting to be added to the schedule on 10/5/04.
• 9/20/04 – Joint Special Meeting on E.B. Realty
The joint meeting with Zoning will begin at 7:00 p.m. at a site still to be determined. Mr. Voelker will be sending out a packet of information, including the application, staff report (which mentions affordable housing and touches only briefly on the litigation on the prior application), as well as the results of the Design Review Board and Inland Wetlands Conservation Commission meetings.
e. CRCOG Pedestrian Crossing Treatments Meeting
Mr. Voelker recently sent out information regarding this meeting to be held on 9/14/04 at the Windsor Town Hall from 12 noon - 2 p.m.
VII. STAFF REPORTS
a. Request for Graphic Design Services
Mr. Voelker indicated a request for qualifications has been sent out to 8 local firms. He is looking for qualified, professional firms who have had experience with Plan of Developments and would be capable of such an extensive job. He will also be widening the search and advertising in the Hartford Courant. Chairman Loomis suggested the Community Design Guidelines and the New Canaan Plan of Development be used as models.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
Secretary Gardow motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:25 p.m. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Jansen and passed unanimously.
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