Residents Comment On Future Development, Conservation

By Andrew Gorosko

Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) members fielded a range of comments January 15 at a public hearing on the evolving 2004 Town Plan of Conservation and Development, in gathering information to be used in drafting the final version of the comprehensive planning document.

Since 2001, P&Z members have been collecting information for inclusion in the decennial revision of the town plan, which will include public planning policies and goals for the town leading up to the year 2014. The town plan revision comes during a period of continuing rapid residential growth, and the developmental pressures that stem from such growth.

The January 15 session attracted about 20 residents to Canaan House at Fairfield Hills, where blustery winds whipped across the snowy landscape, creating arctic conditions.

P&Z Chairman William O’Neil told residents that the town plan contains 180 planning objectives to be accomplished by various municipal agencies during the coming decade.

The town plan’s formulation has been lengthy, involving a public opinion survey, a public planning forum, review by the Legislative Council, and review by several regional planning agencies, Mr O’Neil said. Harrall-Michalowski Associates, Inc, (HMA) of Hamden has managed the town plan update for the P&Z.

The town plan contains a “vision statement,” which summarizes the document’s major themes. That statement holds that a prime local goal is the protection and enhancement of the town’s picturesque, rural, historic New England setting and attributes. The architecture and landscaping of all local properties should be designed to protect the town’s image as a rural and historic town, it adds.

Mr O’Neil said the P&Z wants a town plan that is a “living document,” that serves as the basis for accomplishing its many stated planning goals. The P&Z expects to receive annual progress updates from the many town agencies responsible for implementing those goals, he said. P&Z members hope that 90 percent of the goals stated in the town plan are accomplished during its ten-year lifespan, he said.

 

Public Comment

Ruby Johnson of Chestnut Hill Road offered a range of comments on the town plan.

Ms Johnson warned that encouraging additional local population could result in higher property taxation to satisfy and an increased demand for municipal services, especially public education. Allowing the development of multifamily housing would result in local property tax increases, she said.

In the context of long-range planning, Ms Johnson urged P&Z members to consider having the town acquire suitable land for a future public high school. If a new high school is built, the middle school might move into Newtown High School’s current quarters, she said.

Ms Johnson also urged P&Z members to keep in mind the need for a local senior citizens’ center.

Mr O’Neil responded that the town plan addresses planning for high school facilities.

HMA planner David Hannon said senior citizen facilities similarly are addressed in the town plan.

Diana Johnson of Parmalee Hill Road told P&Z members that she keeps two horses in her backyard. Ms Johnson urged P&Z members to keep in mind the local value of an interconnected open space trail network for equestrian use.

P&Z member Lilla Dean acknowledged the value of such trail network, adding that it will take some time.

Jane Nickerson of Bridle Path Trail, who is a member of the Conservation Commission and the town’s Open Space Committee, said that work is underway on assembling an open space trail network.

Mr O’Neil noted that the town plan lists a variety of responsibilities for the open space panel during the coming decade.

Ms Nickerson discussed the importance of the town’s having an open space trail network to provide sufficient areas for passive recreation.

James Belden of Pumpkin Lane, representing the Candlewood Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited, told P&Z members that the group has 55 members who live in Newtown.

Mr Belden said Trout Unlimited would submit detailed comments about the town plan to the P&Z. Trout Unlimited is a conservation group that seeks to conserve, protect, and restore North America’s coldwater fisheries.

Richard Fenaroli of Tomahawk Trail asked that the town plan contain additional information about potential local commercial and industrial development sites.

Mr Fenaroli urged that the town emphasize the efficient usage of school facilities, rather than seeking to construct new facilities. Local property tax revenue should be more effectively used for public school system operations, he said.

Brian Hennessey of Eden Hill Road underscored the importance of the town having and using a town plan to address land use issues. Land conservation is an important aspect of the town plan, he said, in urging that it be made the top priority of the plan.

Mr Hennessey asked P&Z members how the many goals included within the plan would be prioritized.

Mr O’Neil responded that the individual town agencies, which are charged with accomplishing various goals, would set priorities within their respective jurisdictions.

Final Draft

Mr Hannon said the comments made at the January 15 P&Z session will be considered when HMA formulates a final draft of the town plan for P&Z review and possible revision. P&Z action on the final draft is expected at an upcoming session.

The town plan includes a future land use plan, which would be used by the P&Z as a policy guidance tool in overseeing town efforts to manage change, growth, conservation, and development. The future land use plan describes the most appropriate locations for residential development, commercial growth, business districts, industrial growth, municipal facilities, conservation and open space areas, civic uses, institutional uses, and specialized zoning districts. The future land use plan, as illustrated by a colored-coded map, graphically depicts the town plan’s vision statement.

To support and protect the local quality of life, a balance between development, the conservation of open space and natural resources, and the preservation of the town’s historical and natural resources is necessary, according to the plan. While environmental protection and open space conservation are key components of the town plan, the document acknowledges that investment and development are necessary to improve the local property tax base, as well as maintain the economic well-being of the town and its residents.

Copies of the draft town plan and related documents are on file and available for public review at the town land use office at Canaan House, at the town clerk’s office in Edmond Town Hall at 45 Main Street, and at Booth Library at 25 Main Street. An electronic version of the town plan is posted on the town’s website on the Internet at www.newtown-ct.gov/.