Economic Development Commission Minutes 10/09/2014 DRAFT
Economic Development Commission
Minutes 10/9/2014
Regular Meeting
Simsbury Town Offices – 7:30 a.m. – Main Meeting Room
1. Call to Order
Mr. Mark Deming, Chair, called the regular meeting of the Economic Development Commission to order on Thursday, October 9, 2014 at 7:34 AM in the Main Meeting Room at the Town Offices. The following members were also present: David Balboni, Kristen Barnett, Carolyn Bligh, James Devivo, Lou George, Chuck Minor and Allan Raphael. Also in attendance were: Nancy Haase, Board of Selectmen, Lisa Heavner, Board of Selectmen and other interested parties.
2. Approval of the minutes for September 11, 2014
Commissioner Raphael made a motion for approval of the September 11, 2014 minutes. Commissioner Barnett seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
3. Planning Director update: Hiram Peck
In Mr. Peck’s absence, Commissioner Deming referred members to a copy of Mr. Peck’s comments on current and pending applications. Items included:
34 Hopmeadow Street; Northeast Utilities site for PAD rezoning and Master site development Plan approval.
Two small subdivisions pending for Pinnacle Mountain Road and Talcott Mountain Road
Two projects currently under final design and are expected to be resubmitted soon for 690 Hopmeadow Street, former Webster Bank building, and preliminary discussions are underway with regard to Simscroft property on Iron Horse Boulevard.
Bank building at the corner of Route 44 and Bushy Hill Road has been approved and is currently under final review by DOT.
155 Hopmeadow Street, former Pool Barn building, has been approved as the latest PAD for a mix of use residential/retail and commercial at this site.
A revised draft of the Simsbury Tax Abatement Program and Business Incentives has been completed and sent to the First Selectman for review.
A report on the “Status of Housing in Simsbury” has just been completed and is being proofed prior to distribution to the Commission.
A brief report on Economic Development in Simsbury has also just been completed and is also being proofed prior to distribution to the Commission.
An RFP/RFQ is undergoing final draft, at this time, and will be ready to issue on or about October 13, 2014 to qualified consultants for a comprehensive revision to the Zoning Regulation.
A major effort is underway with regard to discussing the concept of shared parking for the businesses in Town Center.
Other pending matters include the Big Y and The Hartford property.
Additional grant funding is being sought in order to complete the Weatogue Village District/Form Based Code work.
4. Reports: FVVA; SMSP
In the absence of Ms. Nancy Anstey, FVVA, Commission Deming reviewed Ms. Anstey’s update to members. Items included:
Annual Meeting at Farmington Gardens on September 15, 2014 with the first EF-VEE wards.
They are currently working on the following items:
Finishing their 2015 Guide
Haunted Miniature Golf which runs October 16th to 19th and October 23rd to 26th.
Getting ready for their historic Sites Lecture on November 16th at 2:00 p.m. at the Ellsworth Center.
The FVVA is again involved in Simsbury’s Tray Simsbury Tryathlon.
Ms. Sarah Nielson, SMSP, discussed the following items with members:
A kid’s triathlon for the future, which could be held at Stratton Brook Park for 200 to 300 kids.
“Touch a Truck” was held by the Public Works Department, in cooperation with Culture Parks & Recreation and Simsbury Public Library, on September 27, 2014.
Segment on tourism was just completed on SCTV.
SMSP is working with the 1820 House on a Travel Lodge poster competition .
Innovation committee is planning a “Made in Simsbury” for the end of April or beginning of May.
A ribbon cutting ceremony being held today for Little India restaurant after being closed for two month as a result of a kitchen fire.
SMSP is working with the Simsbury Veterans memorial, which will be located south of the Simsbury Library.
SMSP is also working on “Small Business Saturday”, which is the Saturday after Thanksgiving, to remind people to shop locally.
The Shared Parking project in downtown Simsbury.
Commissioner Devivo questioned the status of the Grant for the proposed parking deck behind Eno Hall. Ms. Nielson stated that Simsbury did not get the State Grant for this project.
5. Economic Development Task Force update: Nancy Haase
Ms. Haase updated commission members on the Task Force. She discussed what the sub-committees are currently working on:
Process committee is developing professional orientation for Boards and Commissions, as well as other processes for members appointed to these Boards and Commissions.Ms. Haase also stated they are reviewing the land use process for scheduled meetings for the applicants.
The Programs group is working on incentives, the tax abatement program, the former infrastructure program, programs available at the state level that could be considered.This group is also working on Project Criteria.
Commissioner Barnett noted that Simsbury Scoop has started and stated that it would be a good place to start doing quarterly updates regarding Economic Development.
6. EDC website: update
Ms. Haase stated that Marketing is working on the website and also has goals for the Economic Development Commission. She noted that Mr. Peck and Mr. Bazzano have gotten back to Virtual Town Hall with some recommendations for modifications. Ms. Haase stated that the Marketing group has put together the RFP for the full site and is currently reviewing it. She noted that as soon as Mr. Peck reviews this, it will be sent out.
7. Old New Business
Items to be discussed at the next meeting include:
Shared Parking
Tax Abatement Infrastructure programs
Lisa Gray for introduction
9. Adjournment
Commissioner George made a motion for approval for adjournment at 8:52 AM. Commissioner Devivo seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Respectively submitted,
Leslie Brigham, Commission Clerk