Planning Commission Minutes 06/13/2017
Subject to Approval
Simsbury Planning Commission
TOWN OF SIMSBURY
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, June 13, 2017 at 7:00PM
Simsbury Public Library – Program Room
725 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, Connecticut
PRESENT: Bill Rice, Holly Beum, Robert Kulakowski, Alan Needham, Erin Leavitt-Smith and Alternate Elizabeth Burt.
ABSENT: Ron Locandro, Alternate(s) Mark Drake and Gary Lungarini.
ALSO PRESENT: Director of Planning and Community Development Jamie Rabbitt and Assistant Town Planner Michael Glidden.
I. CALL TO ORDER:
1. Pledge of Allegiance.
Chairman Bill Rice called the meeting to order at 7:00PM.
II. ROLL CALL:
1. Appointment of Alternates.
Ms. Burt was seated for Mr. Locandro.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – MAY 23, 2017 REGULAR MEETING:
MOTION : Mr. Rice, Ms. Leavitt-Smith second, to approve the May 23, 2017 Minutes; Motion passed with Mr. Rice, Ms. Beum, Mr. Needham, Ms. Leavitt-Smith and Ms. Burt voting aye while Mr. Kulakowski abstained.
IV. OLD BUSINESS:
1. Public Hearings.
i. None.
2. Applications.
i. None.
V. NEW BUSINESS:
1. Receipt of New Applications.
i. None.
2. Referrals.
i. None.
VI. WORKSHOP:
1. POCD – Discussion on Draft (Glenn Chalder)
Mr. Rice explained that the POCD (Plan of Conservation and Development) is an advisory document to the Town of Simsbury intended to chart the course of the town’s development for a period of ten years. He noted that state statutes require towns to update their POCD every ten years. Mr. Rice introduced Glenn Chalder of Planimetrics, noting that he has been working with the Commission for some time.
Through the use of a PowerPoint presentation, Mr. Chalder provided an overview of what a POCD is, why one is required and an overview of the 2017 update. He reviewed demographics included in the draft, noting that a population decrease is largely attributable to baby boomers aging and households getting smaller as a result. He noted that Simsbury continues to attract young families with school-aged children and is seeing a small net out-migration of people over the age of 55. Mr. Chalder reported that a community meeting was held in November, 2016. Additionally, he noted that an online survey was conducted seeking information on the most important issues to residents. Mr. Chalder reported that the top five issues people indicated as having concern about were: economic development, protecting community character, addressing transportation issues (bike, pedestrian and vehicular), preserving open space, and enhancing Simsbury center and villages. He noted that these areas of concern were carried through in the themes within the plan. Mr. Chalder then briefly reviewed these.
Kristen Barnett of 15 Ox Yoke Drive, noting that she chairs the Economic Development Committee, questioned whether the Fair Weather Report was reviewed in preparing this draft. She also questioned how farmland protection played a role in the comments received from residents in terms of maintaining the character. Mr. Chalder confirmed that he had been provided with copies of all of the reports that had come in from various boards and commissions. He noted that farmland preservation is firmly embedded in the Community Character section of the plan.
Tom Frank of 19 Banbury Drive, noting that he also is a member of the Economic Development Committee, referred members to Section 9 of the plan, Promote Economic Development. He noted that the EDC has provided very specific places to maintain and the neighborhoods that they want to protect. Mr. Frank recommended building into the POCD more specificity into the type of economic development deemed appropriate by the EDC. He noted that the goals and strategies contained within the Fair Weather Report should be included.
Mr. Chalder mentioned that residents with suggestions may also email their recommendations to the Planning Department over the next two weeks.
One resident noted the demographics contained within the plan and questioned whether survey responses used in forming the plan could in fact be from residents who are 55 and older, and moving from town. She had concerns with whether the plan is being designed for the people who are staying in town and not for the ones who are leaving town. Mr. Chalder explained that great care was taken in the sampling for the survey to include people from all geographic neighborhoods and all age groups within the community. He clarified that the demographic data reveals marginal changes in that people aged 55 and older are still moving into town but that slightly more are moving out. He noted that the survey results are on the town website.
Sheree Landerman, identifying as a realtor, board member of the Tariffville Village Association and having worked with the bike path committee, shared her concern with the number of rental units that are available in Simsbury. She noted that the concern lays with the transiency that comes with renters and how that could shape the character of the town. Ms. Landerman opined that the increase in rental units effects property values. Mr. Chalder noted that this will be discussed by the Commission at their July meeting and a strategy to address this will be considered.
Mike Goman of 45 Old Stone Crossing, noting that he is on the Board of Education, reported that people who are moving into Simsbury are largely doing so for the education that Simsbury offers and have remarked about the excellence of the special education programs in town. Mr. Goman noted that after reviewing the draft of the POCD, he did not see any reference to the educational system as part of a conservation or development issue. He questioned whether the plans for the educational system ought to be included within the plan. Mr. Chalder noted that Section 12, Enhance Community Facilities, page 104 includes language regarding education. He noted that this is another example of where language was purposefully kept broad rather than more specific regarding class sizes, curriculum, etc. Mr. Goman suggested that a formal request be made to the Board of Education to provide some input to the plan in strategic terms. Mr. Chalder indicated that this was done but if the BOE would like to contribute additional suggestions, they would be welcomed.
Helen Peterson, noting that she has been a resident for nearly 55 years and having formerly served on the Planning Commission and the Board of Selectmen, praised the work of this Commission on the draft of the 2017 POCD. Ms. Peterson suggested inserting the following, “…This town has been very successful by acting to protect our air resources by conserving, along with the Simsbury Land Trust and the State, virgin forest land…” between the first and second sentence on page 25, in the Air Resources paragraph. She also shared thoughts on the sixth and seventh bullet point in the second paragraph on page 32 concerning open space. She noted that both of those bullets began with action words rather than dealing with policy. Referring to page 102 of the plan dealing with community facilities, Ms. Peterson suggested that after discussion with other seniors, commissioners may want to consider addressing impaired hearing. She noted that the Town may want to consider improving the sound system in the buildings and general meeting rooms where residents gather.
Susan Masino of 41 Madison Lane, member of Simsbury Grange and founding member of Safe Routes to School at Tootin Hills, shared her thoughts on the POCD, praising the stewardship that Simsbury embraces. Ms. Masino’s suggestions included inserting text on energy conservation, more connections to enhance walkability, bike-ability, etc., and to include in the POCD comments from the Open Space Master Plan. Ms. Masino distributed a hand-out with her suggestions. She concurred with Ms. Peterson’s suggestion on the preservation of forests. Ms. Masino addressed public transportation, too. Finally, Ms. Masino discussed preservation of working farms, noting that this would help both people who want to get into farming and aging farmers who are looking to get out of farming.
Joe Daly of 32 Nimrod Road addressed the Commission and noted that the map on page 109 indicates that Town Forest Road would continue as a collector street to West Mountain Road. Mr. Chalder indicated that this it was a mapping error and would be corrected. Mr. Daly read from a prepared statement noting that it was the schools that originally brought his family to Simsbury and spoke about the old dirt road near his home. He referenced several portions of the POCD wherein protection of the town’s character was mentioned. Mr. Daly opposes paving the old dirt road near his home.
Eric Wellman of 21 Madison Lane shared his concerns with the Plan’s lack of specificity that could have unintended consequences. He praised the work of the Commission, too.
It was noted that another meeting will occur in July to make changes, edits and updates. Mr. Chalder requested additional suggestions to be submitted within the next two weeks. The Commission is focused on adopting a revised plan prior to October 9, 2017, according to Town Planner Jamie Rabbitt.
VII. ADJOURNMENT:
MOTION: Ms. Beum, Ms. Leavitt Smith second, to adjourn at 8:40PM; unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Pamela A. Colombie
Recording Clerk