Date: Fri 01-Aug-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

P&Z-open-space-Cascella

Full Text:

Cascella Suggests P&Z Ask For Cash Rather Than Open Space

BY ANDREW GOROSKO

The first selectman is urging the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) to

aggressively seek monetary donations from developers in lieu of open-space

land in subdivisions.

First Selectman Robert Cascella said July 24 such funds are needed to

replenish a town account for open-space acquisitions.

The town has earmarked $400,000 of $455,000 available to it from the Iroquois

Natural Gas Transmission System to acquire open-space land on Elm Drive.

Open space donated to the town sometimes has limited value for passive

recreation, he noted. But the town should continue accepting some open space,

the first selectman added.

The town should build up a fund for open-space acquisition, holding somewhere

between $100,000 and $300,000, Mr Cascella said.

Other money that Iroquois donated to the town was used to build the swimming

pool at Treadwell Park. Iroquois granted the town money as compensation for

routing its natural gas pipeline through Newtown in the early 1990s.

The P&Z should strengthen its existing regulations on acquiring open-space

money, Mr Cascella said.

Having the P&Z accept such funds would make for the "cleanest and most

appropriate way" for the town to acquire open space, according to the first

selectman.

P&Z member Heidi Winslow pointed out the state law that enabled the P&Z to

create zoning regulations on accepting cash in lieu of open space in 1993 has

"no teeth" in it and provides the P&Z with no enforcement powers.

Ms Winslow said she doesn't believe the P&Z can guarantee it will raise money

under the provisions of the current state law.

Raising funds probably would require P&Z members and developers to discuss

such money donations in the early planning stages of a development proposal,

she said.

More work is needed than passing a resolution, she added.

"I'm looking for a beginning," Mr Cascella said. "Over time, you can get that

message out," he said. "There is work to be done on this. I bring it to you as

a concept."

P&Z member Thomas Paisley said P&Z members will discuss Mr Cascella's ideas.

In June, the Legislative Council unanimously approved the purchase of a

13-acre parcel off Elm Drive. Daniel and Marcus Amaral, owners of Amaral

Motors, put the former farm land on the market in March, giving first-refusal

rights to the town.

In May, dozens of residents attended a council meeting to voice support for

buying the land, just north of Dickinson Park,

The residents emphasized a need for more ballfields. While the open space will

likely be used for ballfields, John Kortze, the council's finance committee

chairman, has said approval of the purchase does not mean the land will

automatically be put to that purpose.