Planning Commission Meetings 11/26/19
PLANNING COMMISSION – MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2019
SIMSBURY TOWN OFFICES – MAIN MEETING ROOM – 7:00 p.m.
933 HOPMEADOW STREET, SIMSBURY, CONNECTICUT
I. CALL TO ORDER - Chairman William Rice called the meeting to order at 6:58 P.M.
1. Pledge of Allegiance
II. ROLL CALL
1. Appointment of Alternates- Chairman Rice appointed Mr. Richard Cortes to sit.
Present: William Rice, Erin Leavitt-Smith, Holly Beum, David Blume, Richard Cortes
Absent: Craig MacCormac, Alan Needham, Elizabeth Burt
Staff Present: Michael Glidden, Director of Planning and Community Development
Erin Leavitt-Smith recognized
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES of the October 22, 2019 regular meeting-
MOTION: At 7:02 P.M., Erin Leavitt-Smith made a motion to approve the October 22, 2019 regular meeting minutes as is. Richard Cortes seconded the motion and the motion passed (4-0-1), with David Blume abstaining.
IV. NEW BUSINESS
1. Receipt of New Applications - None
2. Referrals - None
V. GENERAL COMMISSION BUSINESS
1. Correspondence - None
2. Short-Term Rental Workgroup - The Board of Selectman is convening a committee to look into potential ordinances and rules regulating short-term rentals such as Air B&B, which rent for less than thirty days. The Zoning Commission made a recommendation to the Board of Selectman to form a workgroup to develop the ordinances.
Mr. Glidden advised the Commission that the commitment to the Short-Term Workgroup would be a short term commitment, possibly once every three weeks. Mr. Glidden also noted that it would be possible to conference call in for the Workgroup meetings if time commitment is a concern.
Richard Cortes asked if there is a problem with Short-Term rentals which requires a need to have legislation. Mr. Glidden responded that currently there are 17 properties in town the ordinances would affect.
Holly Beum expressed interest in representing the Planning Commission in the Short-Term Rental Workgroup. Chairman William Rice will send a letter to First Selectman, Eric Wellman, stating that Holly Beum would be willing to serve on the workgroup for the Planning Commission.
3. Presentation on Sustainable CT Silver Status- Richard Cortes presented the Commission with the data table and reviewed each section/action category, with a brief overview of how Simsbury reached the Silver Status. The website given for review purposes was SustainableCT.org. Only eight other towns reached Silver Status in Connecticut.
Richard Cortes reviewed the Mission Statement and spoke about the different action categories. Among the categories discussed were:
1. Thriving local economies (supporting local businesses, creating jobs and revenues, fostering energy efficient and renewable energy-powered commercial and industrial buildings)
2. Well-stewarded land and natural resources (establishes policies and practices that recognize our finite resources and that strive to achieve a balance of many users while preserving and increasing ecosystem health and resilience)
3. Vibrant and creative cultural ecosystems (distinctive, engaged and livable communities that shape people-centered places, provide robust artistic and cultural opportunities, and consider environmental impacts)
4. Dynamic and Resilient Planning (balances human development and resource use with a wide range of factors, including livability, economic opportunity, biodiversity and natural systems)
5. Clean and Diverse Transportations Systems and Choices (allows enhanced health, safety and access for all roadway users- including motor vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists and transit users- regardless of age, ability, income or ethnicity.
6. Efficient physical infrastructure and operations (includes accessible municipal buildings with efficient operations, maintenance and energy systems)
7. Strategic and inclusive public services (encompasses transparency, inclusivity, effective communication, appropriate events and training, materials management and public health)
8. Healthy Housing Options (diverse in both type and affordability, with efficient and renewable energy systems and located in thriving, livable, connected neighborhoods)
Erin Leavitt-Smith asked if there is a Gold Status. Richard Cortes answered that there is currently no Gold Status, and that Silver is the highest achievement, but that there will likely be a Gold Status in the future. He further clarified that this status must be achieved again in three years time, and that the process of working to achieve Silver Status begins immediately, over the course of the three year period. Erin Leavitt-Smith asked if the actions that earned Simsbury the Silver Status can be used to achieve the status again in the future, Richard Cortes answered that there is a “look back” portion in the process, but that mostly the status is earned with new action items. The process is a self-assessment, which is submitted, and then it is audited by SustainabilityCT.
Richard Cortes went over each category in detail, including the goal sheets, explaining how the town achieved points and what the town can do in the future to earn potential points.
Commission members asked questions intermittently about programs that the town currently has, asking if they qualified for or were recognized on the recent submission.
Commission members and Mr. Glidden contributed towards the discussion about future potential programs that will earn points towards a Silver or Gold status. Richard Cortes clarified which programs contributed to the SustainabilityCT program credit, and explained why they did not contribute if they didn’t qualify.
Richard Cortes will send the entire file to Michael Glidden, Director of Planning and Community Development, who will in turn send the file out to the Commission members for review.
4. Meeting Cancellations and use of cancelled meeting times - the Commission discussed future meeting cancellations due to lack of applications pr referrals requiring action by the Commission. Holly Beum suggested that the Commission still meet during those times to brainstorm and work on an interim update to the POCD. Michael Glidden suggested proactively updating the POCD, and the development and implementation of the affordable housing plan. The Commission agreed that when they are light on Commission business, it would be in the best interest to tackle these items.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: At 8:07 P.M., Chairman William Rice made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Holly Beum seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.