Date: Fri 09-May-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

P&Z-open-space-regulations

Full Text:

P&Z Considers Revision Of Open Space Requirements

B Y A NDREW G OROSKO

Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) members are considering ways to sharpen

the town's land use regulations to ensure that desirable open space land is

donated by developers.

P&Z members May 1 briefly discussed formulating additional open space rules to

more explicitly state what type of land the P&Z prefers for open space use.

Residential developers typically donate at least 10 percent of a subdivided

parcel for open space use by the general public. The land typically is donated

to either the town or the Newtown Forest Association, a local land

conservation group.

Elizabeth Stocker, the P&Z's land use adviser, said the wording to be added to

the P&Z's open space rules will list town priorities in terms of open space

submissions.

Also, when applicants for residential developments meet with P&Z members at

pre-submission sessions, the topic of what land in a parcel would make for

suitable open space would be addressed, Ms Stocker said.

Spelling out what the town wants in the way of open space would give

developers clear guidance in proposing open space donations, she said.

Also, such regulations would provide a standard of reference for the changing

members of the P&Z, she said.

"Newtown has, so far, avoided the worst aspects of urban sprawl largely due to

the rolling aspect of the terrain which discourages sprawling development, the

limitations of water and sewer development, and zoning restrictions on lot

sizes," Ms Stocker writes in a memo to the P&Z.

"There is strong appreciation for the town's remaining rural character and...

open space ranks high on the list of community assets. There is clearly an

opportunity at hand to protect the character of the community and guide the

placement of future open space areas which will preserve key natural features

and serve as recreational resources. By providing guidelines and a pro-active

policy for use in determining where open space parcels will be located within

a development, the community will realize the open space and recreation goals

and objectives of the plan of development," Ms Stocker writes.

Following talks earlier this year with P&Z members, Ms Stocker drafted

proposed open space regulations for discussion purposes.

In that document, it was proposed that P&Z members consider open space

donations in terms of: whether the open space donation connects with other

pieces of existing or proposed open space for pedestrian, bicycle and bridle

paths; whether the donation expands open space and recreational areas on

adjoining properties; whether the donation conserves and protects wildlife

habitat areas, natural and scenic resources, and historical and archaeological

resources; and whether the donation meets neighborhood and community

recreational needs.

Last year, the Newtown Neighborhoods Coalition, a citizens group concerned

about the rapid pace of local residential development, proposed a variety of

land use rule changes to more strictly control growth.

Among those changes, coalition members proposed that 10 percent of "quality"

land with subdivisions be designated as open space. The term "quality" land

was synonymous with "buildable" land, according to the coalition. Some

coalition members had proposed that 20 percent of a subdivision be designated

as open space.

The coalition's desire for "buildable" land as open space resulted from the

fact that sometimes developers donate land such as swamps, rock ledge, and

very steep slopes as open space.

P&Z members didn't endorse the coalition's proposal, but said they would

develop revised open space regulations.

At the May 21 P&Z session, P&Z member Heidi Winslow said she wants open space

regulations for the town which have more "teeth" in them than those under

consideration at the meeting.

She recommended that the P&Z's criteria for accepting open space have

rank-ordered priorities. "I feel strongly about this," she told P&Z members in

saying she will attempt to fashion revised open space regulations for their

consideration.

The P&Z must make it clear to developers that it has the authority to require

donations of certain types of open space land, she said.

It is important to have new parcels of open space land connect to existing

open space, said P&Z member James Boylan.

Mr Boylan said he would like to see other types of land besides wetlands

donated as open space.