Date: Fri 10-Jan-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

council-development-open-space

Full Text:

Council Must Weigh Its Next Move On Development Issue

B Y S TEVE B IGHAM

It has been nearly a month since the Legislative Council's plan to use $1.4

million for the purpose of buying open space was turned down by voters. So now

what? Does the town have another plan to fall back on its effort to control

residential growth within its borders?

First Selectman Bob Cascella believes the best way to curb growth is to simply

rely on the boards and commissions that were set up for the purpose of holding

on to Newtown's rural charm. He has been meeting with Planning & Zoning

Chairman John DeFilippe on the issue and supports his plan to update the rules

and regulations of the P&Z.

"I'm concur with Mr DeFilippe that they have to roll up their sleeves and look

at the regulations and make some changes," Mr Cascella said. "This needs to be

done. We need to put this major issue behind us."

The first selectman has even offered the services of Liz Stocker, the town's

community development planner, to assist the P&Z in its adjustment of the

regulations.

"She can't rewrite them but she can be given some direction from the

commission," he said.

The P&Z was scheduled to hold a hearing on proposed regulation changes

Wednesday night.

Legislative Council member Jack Rosenthal, who proposed the idea of the

non-binding vote originally, believes buying up land remains a viable option.

He only regrets not giving his idea more publicity prior to the vote. Only 3.8

percent of the town showed up for the December 10 vote, which the council has

found to be inconclusive. The question on the ballot, more of a straw poll

than a referendum, asked residents whether they would support the idea of

putting aside about the equivalent of 1 mill to buy open space land to ensure

it would never be developed. The results were non-binding.

"I still feel that's a good way to go," Mr Rosenthal said.

Mr Rosenthal said regulation changes could work, but he remains uncertain

about when they will be changed and how long it will take. He believes the

issue needs to be discussed further and was expected to bring it up at

Wednesday night's meeting of the Legislative Council.

Another option still under discussion would be to buy development rights to

land, a less costly plan that would guarantee the land is never developed. As

Selectman Jim Mooney has pointed out, the land stays in private ownership and

the taxes are still being paid.

Mr Cascella said the Legislative Council already has the power to put money

into the annual budget to buy development rights.