Planning Commission Minutes 03/02/2017 SPECIAL MEETING

PLANNING COMMISSION

March 2, 2017

MINUTES FROM SPECIAL MEETING

SUBJECT TO VOTE OF APPROVAL

I.             CALL TO ORDER

Chairman William Rice opened the Special Meeting of the Planning Commission at 6:08 p.m. in the Main Meeting Room at the Town Offices.  Also present were Jamie Rabbitt, Director of Planning and Community Development, Mike Glidden, Assistant Town Planner; and Glenn Chalder Planimetrics, Inc.  In addition to staff, the following members of the Town’s Zoning Commission were present for the workshop on the POCD - Jackie Battos, Donna Beinstein, Dave Ryan, Derek Peterson, and Michael Doyle.

II.            ROLL CALL

Commission members in attendance were:  Elizabeth Burt, Robert Kulakowski, Gary Lungarini (Alt.), Alan Needham, William Rice, and Erin Leavitt-Smith.   Gary Lungarini was seated for Ron Locandro.

III.           GENERAL BUSINESS

1.            Plan of Conservation and Development Workshop.

Bill Rice gave a brief introduction to the POCD process and introduced Glenn Chalder who reviewed the status of the Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) to date and the time lines associated with the completion of the plan (draft through adoption.  Glenn lead the discussion on three primary topics/focus areas associated with the framework of the POCD [Conservation Strategies (Things to protect and preserve), Development Strategies (How to Guide Growth and Change), and Infrastructure Strategies (Services or Facilities to Provide)]. Under the heading of Conservation Strategies, discussion was held on Public Act 490, the possible sale of open space, protecting natural corridors and the maintenance of adequate buffers associated with new development.  Discussion was also held on the appropriate balance between the percent of open space and developed land.  The group discussed the role of the Town’s Design Review Board in the permitting process and how their role impacts development in Town.  Discussion was held on newer zoning tools (Form Based Code, Design Standards and Planned Area Development) have effected development in Town. The group though it was important to review and stay current with tools and evaluate their effectiveness. Glen moved on the third topic for the evening, infrastructure.  The group discussed the continued investment in the Town’s infrastructure.  The potential move to maintenance verses improvement/expansion was also discussed. Sewer allocation and its impact on development came up as a potential issue.  Members asked Glenn to be strategic in his approach to recommendations in the plan.  Glenn coverd the timing of the next steps and staff thanked everyone for taking the time out of their schedules to attend tonight’s meeting.

IV.          ADJOURNMENT. 

Robert Kulakowski  made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 p.m. Erin Leavitt-Smith seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.