Planning Commission Minutes 02/25/2020
PLANNING COMMISSION – MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2020
SIMSBURY TOWN OFFICES – MAIN MEETING ROOM – 7:01 p.m.
933 HOPMEADOW STREET, SIMSBURY, CONNECTICUT
I. CALL TO ORDER - Chairman William Rice called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
1. Pledge of Allegiance
II. ROLL CALL
1. Appointment of Alternates- Chairman Rice appointed Ms. Glenn to sit for Ms. Beum.
Present: David Blume, Erin Leavitt-Smith, Craig MacCormac, Alan Needham, William Rice, Richard Cortes, Sean Fernand Glenn
Absent: Holly Beum, Richard Cortes, Julie Eaton
Also Present: Michael Glidden, Director of Planning and Community Development
Ed LaMontagne, Executive Director, Simsbury Housing Authority, Chairman of the Simsbury Aging and Disability Commission
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES of the February 11, 2020 regular meeting-
MOTION: At 7:08 P.M., Chairman Rice made a motion to approve the February 11, 2020 regular meeting minutes with the following amendments:
• Chairman Rice noted the lack of line numbers in the left margin
• Page two, last paragraph of VII. POCD Update Workshop, last sentence should read “Mr. Glidden has supplied examples of affordable housing plans in other municipalities; they’re available in dropbox.”
• Under motion to adjourn, correct title of Mr. Blume (changing Ms. to Mr.).
Ms. Leavitt-Smith seconded the motion and it passed 4-0-2, with two abstentions from Mr. MacCormac and Ms. Glenn.
IV. POCD UPDATE WORKSHOP
1. Economic Development-
• Mr. Needham read aloud the revised version of the second paragraph on page 80 of the POCD. The Commission noted some grammatical errors. The Commission agreed that the draft language is appropriate and accomplishes what they were looking to convey. Chairman Rice recognized Mr. Needham’s efforts on amending the paragraph. Mr. Needham will make one last edit to the draft, correcting any grammatical errors and present the final copy at the next meeting.
2. Affordable Housing-
• Ed LaMontagne, Executive Director, Simsbury Housing Authority and Chairman of the Simsbury Aging and Disability Commission is present to speak about Affordable Housing.
o Mr. LaMontagne gave definitions of Affordable Housing and cited the properties/developments in town which fall under affordable housing. He noted that even with the affordable housing. He spoke about the Affordable Housing Plan submitted from four years ago as the Commission reviewed it. Discussion ensued about the differences between Affordable Housing, Low income housing and Workforce housing.
o The Commission reviewed all town properties and developments that are currently offering affordable housing.
o Workforce and Deed restricted units were discussed.
o The Commission spoke about the struggle of reaching the stated policy (CGS Section 8-30g) 10%.
o Discussion ensued about the process of updating the Affordable Housing Plan. Several Commission members noted that many other local municipalities have used the same terminology in their plans, each tackling the plan similarly.
o Discussion ensued about ideas of how to find more affordable housing for the residents of Simsbury. Ms. Glenn suggested converting older homes into affordable housing, with incentives to refurnish/rehab, and sell affordable/deed restricted homes. Mr. Glidden suggested the Commission consider tax sales with the stipulation of it being sold as affordable housing. The theme would be to convert deteriorating homes that currently exist into something that counts.
o Mr. Glidden is committed to begin drafting a new outline for the Commission’s review at the next regular meeting. He will refer to other local municipalities and borrow terminology from others plans. The Commission voiced desire to add affordable housing plans into Simsbury Center Code.
At the next regular meeting, page 85 of the POCD will be reviewed.
V. REFERRALS
1. None
VII. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: At 8:20 P.M., Mr. MacCormac made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Blume seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kimberly Rathbun
Commission Clerk