Open Space Committee Regular Meeting December 3, 0214
OPEN SPACE COMMITTEE – SUBJECT TO APPROVAL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES – DECEMBER 3, 2014
CALL TO ORDER
First Selectman Mary Glassman called the Regular Meeting of the Open Space Committee to order at 4:35 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014. The meeting was held in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices located at 933 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT. In attendance was Mary Glassman, First Selectman as well as the following committee members: Ferg Jansen and Helen Peterson, Don Rieger and Derek Peterson. Staff included Hiram Peck, Director of Planning & Community Development and Gerard Toner, Director of Culture, Parks and Recreation
PUBLIC AUDIENCE
There was no public audience.
REVIEW/ADOPT MINUTES OF OCTOBER 29, 2014
The minutes were tabled.
REVIEW OPEN SPACE INVENTORY
Mr. Toner presented an update of the open space inventory he prepared. Mrs. Peterson asked if there was anything new to report. Mr. Toner said there have been about 10 parcels added. He also explained his classification system which related to the amount of time spent to maintain the open space.
Mrs. Peterson said that past practice of categorizing open space does not mean best practices. She said the current inventory system is outdated and does not allow the Town to be good stewards of open space. She said the current system is reactive rather than proactive.
Mr. Rieger said each parcel in the inventory should have a number that corresponds to the assessor’s parcel number information. He said he would volunteer to update the inventory if the committee was interested.
Mrs. Peterson said the committee needs to do its homework and study each parcel to determine the importance of certain pieces in order to then decide whether to pursue further open space protections for the parcel or to consider divesting certain parcels.
Mr. Peterson suggested that a better classification of maintenance requirements is also needed.
Mrs. Glassman stated that it is the consensus of the committee that Mr. Toner better define the classification of open space and to forward a revised copy of the open space inventory to the Open Space Committee and to the Culture, Parks and Recreation Commission for their input. Mrs. Glassman said she would add it to the next Open Space Committee agenda for an update.
Mrs. Glassman stated that it is also the consensus of the committee that they accept Mr. Rieger’s offer to do a more detailed inventory of open space and to work with Town Staff for any additional information or mapping assistance needed. The committee thanked Mr. Rieger for his efforts.
1 OLD BRIDGE ROAD UPDATE
Mrs. Glassman reported that the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Finance have approved the purchase by the Town of the former Betty Hudson home at 1 Old Bridge Road, Simsbury, CT. Mrs.
Glassman said the Town plans to close on the property by the end of the year and then will work to convene a public discussion of next steps for the use of the parcel which has prime access to the Farmington River in the center of Town.
The Committee suggested that more information is needed from the state Dept. of Energy and Environmental Protection to determine what local, state and federal flood plain regulations apply in order to help determine the future use of the site.
Mrs. Glassman stated that Town Engineer Jeff Shea is scheduling a meeting with the state DEEP to begin preliminary discussions concerning the site.
Mrs. Glassman suggested that it is in the purview of the Open Space Committee to take the lead and to work with other boards and commissions and the public to determine future use.
Mrs. Peterson asked if it is possible that the existing foundation could be used for a future structure.
Mrs. Glassman said it depends on information from the DEEP but as she understands the FEMA regulations, any construction of more than 50 percent of the value of the parcel will trigger new FEMA regulations.
Mr. Jansen moved that the Open Space Committee take the lead on determining the use of the property at 1 Old Bridge Road. Mrs. Peterson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Jansen suggested that the next step is to schedule a walk-through of the property and to invite the Board of Selectmen, Culture, Parks and Recreation Commission and Old Flower Bridge committee.
DRAFT REPORT FROM MILONE & MACBROOM FOR ETHEL WALKER PARCEL
Mrs. Glassman stated that the Town expects to close on the final purchase of the Ethel Walker Woods property by the end of the year. In anticipation of the Town’s ownership of the 452-acre parcel and in order to be prepared to be good stewards of the land, the Town has commissioned a study by Milone and MacBroom. Mrs. Glassman handed out a draft of the report the Town has received to date and asked the committee to review the information and to provide any questions or comments.
Mrs. Peterson asked if there could be a public access designated off of Woodhaven Drive. Mr. Toner stated that invasive species will need to be addressed on the property and a plan for forest management needs to be developed. Mr. Rieger asked if the question of clear cutting forest areas will be addressed.
Mr. Toner said it would be addressed.
GIS UPDATE
Mrs. Glassman reported that the Town is working to upgrade the Geographic Information System maps and will make them available to the public by January 2015. She said there will be a demonstration for board and committee members on how to use the system.
OTHER BUSINESS
Mr. Rieger stated he had several items to discuss under new business. The first item is to discuss open space requirements regarding the possible development of land on Tangier Hill. Mr. Peterson moved to add Tangier Hill to the agenda, Mrs. Peterson seconded the motion. Mr. Jansen recused himself from the discussion and left the room. The motion passed 4-0.
Mr. Rieger stated that he would suggest that should the parcel be developed, the Open Space Committee should suggest that the Town not accept a fee in lieu of any open space requirements.
Mr. Peterson moved to adopt the action, Mrs. Peterson seconded the motion and the motion passed 4-0. Mr. Jansen returned to the meeting.
Mr. Rieger also stated clarification is needed regarding the classification of surfacing for the Simsbury Meadows proposed trail. Mrs. Glassman said it was her understanding that the trail would not be paved but would be some type of stone dust or cleared dirt trail. Mr. Rieger said that was not his understanding.
Mrs. Glassman said she would ask Town Engineer Jeff Shea for a clarification on the surfacing of the proposed trail as it is developed.
ADJOURN
Mr. Jansen moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:10 p.m. Mr. Peterson seconded the motion. The committee voted unanimously to adjourn.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary A. Glassman