Planning Commission Minutes 3/10/2010

Subject to Approval

PLANNING COMMISSION-MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2020
SIMSBURY TOWN OFFICES-BOARD OF EDUCATION CONFERENCE ROOM-
933 HOPMEADOW STREET, SIMSBURY, CONNECTICUT

I. CALL TO ORDER - Chairman William Rice called the meeting to order at 7:00pm

1. Pledge of Allegiance

II. ROLL CALL

1. Sean Fernand Glenn and Julie Eaton alternates were promoted and issued voting members of the commission.

Present: Holly Beum, Erin Leavitt-Smith,, Alan Needham, William Rice, Julie Eaton, Sean Fernand Glenn, Jeff Shea, Michael Glidden

Absent: David Blume, Craig MacCormac, Richard Cortez

III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES of the March 10, 2020 regular meeting

MOTION: Chairman Rice made a motion to approve the February 25, 2020 regular meeting minutes with the following amendments:

• Page 1 line 13 and 14, reflects Richard Cortez was present and absent on the meeting of the 25th. It should reflect he was present.

Chairman Rice moved to accept minutes as amended; all in favor, no opposed, two abstentions; Ms. Eaton and Ms. Beum.

IV. CORRESPONDENCE

MOTION: Chairman Rice made a motion to amend the agenda to move item five number 1, Hendrick Cottage update, to be addressed first; all in favor, no opposed, no abstentions.

1. Hendricks’s Cottage Update
• Mr. Glidden and Mr. Shea, town engineer, proposed a change to the previously approved grading plan.The previous approval called for extra fill on site to be removed from site and the grading plan requiring improvements as it related to positive drainage on the side of the homes, to also effect the sloping of the houses. The previously approved grading plan was provided for the commission with red line changes to illustrate the changes to the grade. Memorandum dated March 9, 2020 was provided to the commission that addressed the proposed revisions to approved grading plan. The commission voiced concern about the sloping of the houses increasing and the affect on flooding. Mr. Shea stated this change will not affect or increase the risk of flooding to the houses.

Chairman Rice made a recommendation to accept proposal and a motion to authorize town staff to approve the requested changes to the grading plan. Ms. Leavitt-Smith seconded the motion; all in favor, no opposed, no abstentions.

V. POCD UPDATE WORKSHOP

1. Economic Development
• Mr. Needham recommended replacing the second paragraph on page 80 of the POCD with

“Development should be viewed as a means to the end of improving and sustaining the quality of life for Simsbury’s residents. Along with considerations such as are there new high wage jobs, multiplier businesses, creation of a desirable sense of place, historic preservation and improved public infrastructure an economic analysis should be employed. It is important to determine if there is a true “net economic benefit” to the Town. This is determined by subtracting any new development expenses to the Town in areas such as any additional burden on our schools. Town Services and infrastructure from the tax revenue expected from that development.

Tax incentives and abatements should also be scrutinized before being implemented. An independent economic analysis may be warranted to determine if the proposed incentive or abatement will truly result in the long term economic benefit the Town desires.”

Commissioner Rice made a motion to accept and to revise; to take out the words “are there” on the second row. Ms. Leavitt-Smith seconded the motion. All in favor, no opposed, no abstentions.

2. Affordable Housing
• Commissioner Rice proposed the potential for town staff to create an affordable housing policies. It is the Commissions preference that a plan be generated by Mr. Glidden and town staff that is affirmed by the commission. Commissioner Rice noted Mr. Glidden will develop an affordable housing plan to be included in POCD on top of page 88. Mr. Glidden will provide a rough outline to the commission within 30 days.

Mr. Glidden reported that the zoning commission will hold an upcoming public hearing on March 16, 2020 for changes to its regulations. Mr. Glidden discussed the changes made in the regulations. Mr. Glidden reported these changes will be discussed at the next commission meeting. Mr. Glidden also stated Griffen Land will present at the next planning commission meeting. More information will be public at the March 23, 2020 meeting at the Board of Selectmen.

Commission will review regionalization of services and Sense of Place. POCD Sense of Place was reviewed by the commission. Sense of Place will be added to the next agenda. The concepts to be considered for the next meeting; define the community as either rural versus suburban or versus semi-rural, strengthen recommendations and placemaking, review impact of development scale and how community character is affected. Mr. Needham reported POCD Sense of Place can be found on pages 5, 8, 40, 41, 55, 56.

VI. ADJOURNMENT

MOTION: Ms. Beam made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Eaton seconded the motion. All in favor, no opposed, no abstentions. Meeting adjourned at 7:50pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Amanda Werboff
Commission Clerk