Economic Development Task Force Minutes 04/01/2014 DRAFT SPECIAL MEETING

Meeting date: 
Tuesday, April 1, 2014

TOWN OF SIMSBURY – ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TASK FORCE

MEETING MINUTES – APRIL 1, 2014, 5-7pm          DRAFT

 

The EDTF meeting began at 5:05 pm in the Main Meeting Room. In attendance were:

Nancy Haase, Deputy First Selectman and EDTF Chairman, Lisa Heavner, Selectman, Kevin Crimmins, Chris Miele, Louis Donofrio, Bob Kulikowski, Jeff Dornenburg, Bill Ethier, Diane Nash, Holly Beum, Ron Jodice, Wayne Cobleigh, Charmaine Seavy.

 

Also in attendance were: Carolyn Bligh (EDC), Lou George (SCOC), Derek Peterson (ZC), Bob Kulikowski (PC), Linda Schofield (BOF), Rich Correia (SMSP), Hiram Peck, Director of Planning.  Sarah Nielsen, Director of SMSP.

 

  1. Discussion of Simsbury Organizational Chart and how the various boards, commissions and staff relate to one another. Bill Ethier felt that accountability of all boards and commissions is important going forward in this economy.
  2. Discussion of aspects of the Marketing Study.  Including the Core Idea. Jeff Dornenburg suggested that a clearer definition and a sharper focus of the Core Idea may be needed as a foundation for the EDTF work going forward. Possible expansion of the role of Cultural Heritage should be considered and included.
  3. The discussion of several areas of Simsbury including Town Center, Weatogue, North Village, Sothern Gateway and Tariffville were discussed briefly in terms of insuring that a variety of housing products are included as necessary to future economic development. Linda Schofield asked about housing in the downtown area and what projects were coming in regard to that topic. She also pointed out that legislation was passed that allows the Town to purchase 2 of the 3 parking lots from the State of CT for development in accord with the Town Center Charrette. The EDTF then asked Hiram to secure a speaker(s) on the topic of “housing as it relates to economic development” for a future meeting. In response to a concern about fiscal and economic impacts, Bill Ethier pointed out that homes pay for themselves. He offered to send a CT HBRA web site link to members who are interested in reading about this topic.
  4. Additional assets were discussed including parks and recreation and their relation to increased tourism. A suggestion was made to look into additional lodging in Simsbury and attract more sports activities.
  5. It was mentioned that a survey was done back in 2008 and that residents had specific preferences in 2008 regarding development. Holly Beum expressed concern about corporate relocations and their impact on development. She stated she had previously lived in an area where development had increased significantly due to corporate relocations.
  6. Several suggested that Simsbury was too far from the highway to get significant development that depended on good access. Hiram Peck suggested turning the problem into a possible advantage and that to help maintain Simsbury’s character we might consider a selling point of “just far enough away from the highway”. Kevin Crimmins pointed out the airport as an additional asset in the north part of Town that should not be ignored.
  7. The next meeting date was set for April 22, 2014 at 5 pm.
  8. The meeting adjourned at 7 pm.