During the Thursday, September 17 Newtown Planning & Zoning Commission meeting, the commissioners discussed the Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) and how other boards and commissions in town are using it.

Commissioner Peter Schwarz explained that he would like to identify several core commissions that have a “planning and zoning land use purview” and ask for more “detailed reviews of what they’re doing.” He noted that it is not an oversight thing, but more of an “informational exchange to make sure that we’re pursuing the same strategies.”

Schwarz said he thinks the most relevant commissions are the Conservation Commission, Sustainable Energy Commission, Bike & Trail Committee, Economic and Community Development Commission, and Fairfield Hills Authority.

“My proposal would be that we formalize that somehow, where either in a charter change or somehow among us, to once a year, at most twice a year, have those entities come in and just have a discussion,” Schwarz told the commission. He added that he would like it to be in-person rather than a report because they “provide more information.”

Alternate Commissioner Don Mitchell said it sounded more like a workshop. Schwarz agreed and said he wants the discussion to funnel information towards a purpose. Schwarz asked Director of Planning & Land Use Rob Sibley if he had any input.

Sibley said he was not sure, but most commissions put it on their agendas. Acting Chair Connie Widmann said it might be a good idea to add it in the public participation section. Schwarz said for the next meeting, he would draft up a resolution to invite other commissions.

8-24 Referral For NCRS Buyout

Sibley reminded the commission of the historic flooding on August 18, 2024, when some areas of town had 12 inches of water. Two of the properties that were significantly impacted were 300 and 328 Berkshire Road.

Sibley explained that several agencies were involved after the flooding, such as FEMA, the Department of Agriculture, and the Natural Resources and Conservation Service Agency, which is often referred to as NRCS. NRCS has multiple programs to repair riparian corridors, streams, and rivers to a “strengthened bank system.”

NRCS has identified multiple properties in Newtown that could “[flood] again and again.” Sibley said that 300 and 328 Berkshire Road are two properties that were identified, and that the property owners “have agreed to participate in this program.” The town has also agreed to participate.

“The program itself,” Sibley began, “is to remove and create a natural area where the houses and the road once stood, so that it can return to an area that could, if it does happen, have the river jump the banks without damage to anyone’s safety. But it also allows for the river to create what [has] now created as the ravine where the river goes.”

Sibley said that this 8-24 referral has been endorsed by the Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance, and Conservation Commission, and is now in front of Legislative Council. He added that for an 8-24 referral, Planning & Zoning has to look at it, too.

Alternate Commissioner Charlie Gardner asked Sibley what zone the properties are in. Sibley said he thinks they are all R2. Sibley then offered a history of the property and the area.

Gardner then asked if the septic system would be removed from the properties. Sibley said yes because the NRCS program “requires that [the property] be returned to a natural condition without any potential contamination.”

Alternate Commissioner Jill Soderholm asked if the damage was preexisting or if it was from August 18, 2024. Sibley and Widmann both answered that it was from the flood. Sibley then explained how some of the damage occurred.

Widmann asked for a motion to accept the 8-24 referral for 300 and 328 Berkshire Road for the NCRS buyout. It passed unanimously.

=====

Reporter Sam Cross can be reached at sam@thebee.com.