Open Space Committee Regular Meeting April 1, 2015

OPEN SPACE COMMITTEE – SUBJECT TO APPROVAL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES – APRIL 1, 2015

CALL TO ORDER
First Selectman Lisa Heavner called the regular meeting of the open space committee to order at 4:36 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1, 2015. The meeting was held in the main meeting room of the Simsbury Town Offices located at 933 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT. In attendance was Ms. Heavner, as well as the following committee members: Helen Peterson, Don Rieger and Derek Peterson. Staff included Director of Culture, Parks and Recreation Gerard Toner, Town Engineer Jeff Shea and Town Attorney Robert DeCrescenzo.

PUBLIC AUDIENCE

On the topic of an open space stewardship policy, Ashley Lane, of Old Farms Road, said as far back as he can remember open space was purchased by the town to thwart development. He hopes that is not going to be reversed with land being sold by the town for development.

On the topic of the Simsbury Meadows plan, Roger Preston, of Laurel Lane, said the area is very dear to his heart. It is a wonderful site for birding and in fact 130 different bird species have been seen in the area within the past 10 years. He spoke of Great Blue Heron and Eagles living and breeding on the site. He would not want to see any encroachment on that area and its wildlife.

On the Simsbury Meadows plan, Eileen Fielding, executive director of the Farmington River Watershed Association, said she had serious concerns about putting a building in an area where the river moves back and forth. She said she is not opposed to having recreation trails, but would not want to see a chunk rendered unusable with a heavily packed parking lot. She suggested looking at what the National Park Service does with an area that needs to be left alone as a habitat, but accessible in a reasonable way. She does not want to see the discussion become polarized between no development at all for the area or making it a part of downtown, which is two blocks away. She reiterated that it may not be the best location for a senior/community center.

REVIEW/ADOPT MINUTES OF MARCH 4, 2015 AND REVIEW/ADOPT MINUTES OF MARCH 19, 2015

There were no changes to the minutes.

REVIEW OPEN SPACE INVENTORY

Mr. Rieger said there was nothing new to report on the inventory itself, but did describe an app that could be helpful in collecting data on the open space inventory in town. The smart phone app is called Track-kit Pro. It is recommended by the UConn Center for Land Use Education and Research and costs $3.

Using Track-kit in the field, you are able to see the parcel boundaries on the phone screen once the parcel’s boundaries from the town’s GIS file are loaded. A cursor shows where you are where you go. When you take photos the app geocodes the picture with latitude and longitude. The app allows for note taking and has voice recognition with the photos.

1 OLD BRIDGE ROAD UPDATE

It was reported that a public information meeting was held on March 19 on 1 Old Bridge Road. About 40 people attended and shared thoughts and ideas for what to do with the property. In an effort to get more feedback, a notice will go out through various channels asking the public for ideas.

Ms. Heavner asked Mr. Toner his input from the culture, parks and recreation commission and he stated the commission is leaning toward passive use, with a possible education component, while taking advantage of the river access at the site.

It was stated that maintenance of the site, if the building is left standing, is about $9,600 annually.

DISCUSSION OF THE SIMSBURY MEADOWS PLAN

Mr. Shea said there was another stakeholder meeting attended by various boards and commissions, which was well attended. He went over some conceptual plans from a consultant for the area, and noted there have been some regulatory changes in the flood plain area. The concept plans contain a variety of possibilities, from additional facilities and storage to concessions.

It was stated that the board of selectmen picked the Simsbury Performing Arts Center site, part of the meadows, for the new community/senior center.

For the meadows south area, behind the sewage treatment plant, the conceptual plans showed additional trails being developed, and possibly some parking.

Ms. Peterson said there needs to be a discussion on this as the pressure is growing to do more with this area. She said the land was acquired originally because of its habitat.

Mr. Rieger said he was not in favor of seeing anything paved or added with turf. He does not want to see habitat destruction so a craft fair can be held. He noted that a gravel road is already there, an issue that still is somewhat unresolved. He does not want this area to be treated any more shabbily than it already has been. He said the area is supposed to be a habitat and some of the talk about this area and its possible destruction he described as cavalier. He said the Farmington River is not a fixed thing. It moves around and has an effect on the area. That combined with climate change, meaning more rain and extreme weather events, make for a very changeable landscape.

At 5:28 p.m. Ms. Heavner had to leave to attend another meeting. Mr. Peterson took over as chairman.

ETHEL WALKER MASTER PLAN UPDATE

Mr. Shea said his department is still working to get that document in final draft form. He expected it to be ready in a week or two. He said beyond establishing the roles of Ethel Walker School and the town, and making sure Ethel Walker had a chance to look at the plan before it was released, the plan was in good condition.

Mr. Peterson asked if the dealings with the school were about access points. Mr. Shea said yes in terms of clarifying trail access for equestrian use and other issues of that nature.

Mr. Rieger asked if a multi-commission meeting on the report was set. Not yet was the answer, but once the plan is ready a date will be selected.

INTERNSHIP STATUS UPDATE

There was no update on this.

OPEN SPACE STEWARDSHIP POLICY

Mr. DeCrescenzo spoke to the commission about creating an open space stewardship policy that would include acquisition, disposition and maintenance. He said there are several factors to consider, and suggested seeking out other municipal policies and other best practices to create the town’s. He said when a possible sale is being considered the source of funds to purchase open space dictates the process to sell the property. He said when the state is involved that adds another layer to any disposition being considered, such as replacing any open space sold. He said there is a new state law that gives the attorney general standing to contest the sale of open space.

The first step, which is underway in Simsbury, is to inventory and determine in detail the function and value of the town’s open space, with value being more than the dollar amount. There are connectivity issues, whether it is a recharge area, and habitat considerations, for example.

There are a variety of ways the town acquires open space: it can be through tax foreclosure, part of a subdivision, deeded in a will, or through referendum, among others.

He said only the board of selectmen can decide to sell a piece of land and only the board of finance can decide what to do with that money once it comes in. There was some discussion on ways to work within that confine, and what is already in place in terms of funds, policies and ordinances.

Ms. Heavner said the goal is to have something to review by November.

OTHER BUSINESS

There was no other business.

ADJOURN

Mr. Peterson asked if there was a move to adjourn, Ms. Peterson made the motion and Mr. Rieger seconded and members voted to adjourn at 5:39 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Stephanie Riefe