Print
Share page with AddThis

04/26/2022 Planning Commission Minutes

Meeting date: 
Tuesday, April 26, 2022

PLANNING COMMISSION – MEETING MINUTES

Tuesday, April 26, 2022, at 7:00 P.M.

The public hearing was web-based on Zoom at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/2574297243

Meeting ID: 257 429 7243

 

I. CALL TO ORDER – Chair Leavitt-Smith called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.

 

II. ROLL CALL

            1. Appointment of alternates: Craig MacCormac was appointed as a regular member.

 

            Present: Town Planner, George McGregor; Chair, Erin Leavitt-Smith; Secretary,             William Rice; Holly Beum, Joseph Campolieta, Don Colantonio, and Julie Eaton.

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

All present stood for the Pledge.

 

Chair Leavitt-Smith made an amendment to add the Capital Region Council of Goverment and the Sustainability Committee.

 

MOTION: Commissioner Rice made a motion to approve the amendment to the agenda. Mr. McGregor seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

 

III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – March 22, 2022

 

Commissioner Rice noted that, “arw” should be, “are”.

 

MOTION: Commissioner MacCormac made a motion to approve the March 22, 2022, minutes as amended. Commissioner Eaton seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. Commissioner Campolieta abstained because he was not present at that meeting.

 

IV. NEW BUSINESS

 

            1. Introduction of George McGregor, Director of Planning and Community                               Development

  • George McGregor said that he comes to Simsbury with experience as Vernon’s Town Planner, and before that he was the Planning Director for the City-County Planning Agency in Sumter, South Carolina.

 

            2. POCD Update

  • Chair Leavitt-Smith inquired Mr. McGregor if there was money to hire Glen Chalder as a consultant for the changes.
  • Mr. McGregor responded that there appears to be a planning funds for general planning studies upwards of $40,000, and he will find out if there is a purchasing process and if Mr. Chalder is available.
  • Chair Leavitt-Smith brought up the priority of working on wording of the POCD.
  • Mr. McGregor inquired the Board on its preference to have a consultant to assist in developing a scope and priority list or if it is more comfortable building that scope and priority list amongst itself and then reaching out to a consultant.
  • Commissioner Beum responded that she understood that they had already made a list and that the help of a consultant would assist in the wording of the sections.
  • Chair Leavitt-Smith responded that was correct and while they are receiving that aid from a consultant it would be useful to also accomplish updating other items on that priority list.

 

            3. Discussion of Future Meeting Status

  • Mr. McGregor stated that the Board of Selectmen have individual boards and commissions make their own decisions if they want to have meetings in person, via Zoom, or a hybrid. The hybrid option does require more effort, so it is preferable to have either in person or on Zoom.
  • Zoom allowability expires at the end of the month and they are waiting to hear back from the Legislature.
  • Chair Leavitt-Smith stated that she prefers in person, especially when moving forward with the wording of the POCD.
  • Commissioner Colantonio appreciates how having a Zoom option allows for accessibility.
  • Chair Leavitt-Smith concluded that the Board will meet in person at the next meeting, May 10th.

 

            4. Capital Region Council of Government

  • Commissioner Rice stated that CRCOG is looking for representatives to attend their quarterly regional planning commission meetings, the next meeting being June 23rd.
  • The attendees get to meet one another, there will be presentation on a relevant land-use subject, and representatives get to share what is going on in their individual towns.
  • Commissioner Rice volunteered to be the representative.

 

            5. Sustainability Committee

  • Commissioner Beum expressed interest in filling the vacancy for the Committee that meets once a month, every third week.

 

V. CORRESPONDENCE

 

No correspondence.

 

 

 

VI. ADJOURNMENT

 

MOTION: Commissioner Rice made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Campolieta seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

 

Chair Leavitt-Smith adjourned the meeting at 7:52 P.M.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Amanda Blaze

Commission Clerk