PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MAY 27, 2008

Present were: Regular members Anne Kosciusko (in 8:30Pm), Dave Colbert, Patrick Hare, Chris Hopkins, Alternates Heidi Kearns, James LaPorta, commission planning consultant Tom McGowan and commission staff Karen Griswold Nelson.

Absent: Emilie Pryor, Lynn Cheney and Richard Lynn

Vice chairman Pat Hare called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M.

FORUM ON WEST CORNWALL as part of the preparation of the Plan of Conservation and Development with presentations by commission and subcommittee members and P&Z Planning consultant Tom McGowan. Various topics to be discussed include the outlook for businesses, the concerns of those in residences, traffic flow and parking.

Tim Prentice, West Cornwallian and member of the P&Z Plan of C&D “Housing” subcommittee addressed ongoing concepts being discussed as part of the subcommittee’s charge, including the concept of a village, the factors of contributing factors to a viable village including the walkability of residents within a village and the comparisons of various villages to those in Cornwall including the village of Kent CT.

James LaPorta, commission member of the P&Z Plan of C&D “Economic Development” subcommittee addressed ongoing concepts being discussed as part of the subcommittee’s charge, including studies as to allowable growth in West Cornwall, noting the subcommittee’s finding that there was actually quite a bit of allowable growth within the existing lots in West Cornwall. In response, West Cornwallians Ian Ingersoll, Russell Sawicki and Todd Piker expressed their opinions that those findings were not correct. In response, Mr. LaPorta addressed the limitations though of development based on well and septic capacity and location and the mandatory separation distances to comply with current health code. Mr. LaPorta stated that subcommittee’s conclusion based on the information gathered during the study was to recommend that the incorporation of a common well rather than a sewer system. In response to comments based on the existing empty spaces in the village, Mr. LaPorta addressed the issues of residential versus commercial uses and the viability of both in the village.

Commission planning consultant Tom McGowan addressed topics touched upon by Mr. LaPorta, including the method of gathering and evaluation of information to assess the capacity of commercial expansion. Mr. McGowan addressed the mapping available to the commission for their studies including mapping available from Northwest Conservation District. As relating to septic design and issues, Mr. McGowan addressed alternate sewerage systems that the state of CT is considering for future planning with note made that no such designs were expected to be approved in the very near future.

Discussion by Mr. McGowan turned to the “historic village center concept” as relating to West Cornwall and Cornwall in general and wishes expressed for places to meet and greet while retaining the historic appearance of the existing village. Mr. McGowan addressed “village regulations” that can now be incorporated in local zoning regulations based on enabling legislation, noting the adoption of such regulations coming out of and being used more in eastern Connecticut. Mr. McGowan addressed the limitations and flexibility of such regulations as compared to historic village regulations.

Mr. McGowan addressed the questions and issues raised as relating to conversion of commercial to residential usage in West Cornwall. With agreement that both the commission, its subcommittee members in attendance and he were there to listen to the West Cornwallians and townspeople in general in attendance, the floor was opened to the public for any and all comment.

Pricilla Miller, West Cornwall resident and business woman, stated her wishes to see sidewalks and crosswalks in West Cornwall village.

Barbara Farnsworth, West Cornwall resident and business woman, stated her wishes to see curbing eliminated in the village.

Asher Paval, West Cornwallian, suggested that crosswalks should not be put in without first addressing speeders coming down the hill.

Tom Bechtel, West Cornwallian resident and businessman, spoke in support of efforts to slow down traffic.

Nick Xactis, West Cornwallian, addressed traffic issues and in particular the need to create visibility.

Harry Coller, West Cornwallian, addressed safety and traffic issues with note made that a sidewalk and curbing as installed by the state had never been asked for.

Richard Griggs, West Cornwall resident and businessman, spoke in support of traffic slowing devices and methods.

Jim LaPorta, commission member, spoke of the limitations in the purview of the P&Z commission at large and in particular to DOT traffic and road construction issues.
Ian Ingersoll, West Cornwall resident and businessman, spoke of the “big speed bump” in terms of creating new businesses, stating his belief that the issue was related to the un-helpfulness in Town Hall.

Norma Lake, West Cornwallian addressed issues in general in the village.

Paul Baran, member of the Plan of C&D “Economic Development” subcommittee and Cornwall Bridge resident, addressed the need for a concerted plan of attack and the consideration of a comprehensive study for federal and state grants to address the issues in both villages, Cornwall Bridge and West Cornwall.

Russell Sawicki, West Cornwall resident and owner of the Wandering Moose, stated his findings that West Cornwall village did not have the “heart and soul” that it did 16 years ago when he moved there. Mr. Sawicki suggested that separating out sub-villages out was a mistake and that the town should be looked at as one town.

David Grossman, Cornwall Bridge resident and member of the “Economic Development” subcommittee addressed the need to look ahead 20 years when planning, Mr. Grossman, addressing the geographical location of both West Cornwall and Cornwall Bridge on one side of the Housatonic River, stated that the Sharon side of the Housatonic River is effectively a part of the centers of Cornwall Bridge and West Cornwall and that Sharon should be included as well when planning for the future.

Fred Thibault, West Cornwallian, addressed the need to look at signage for traffic slowing and control.

April Stevens, West Cornwallian, stated that Mr. Sawicki’s points were well taken and the young people in Cornwall were suffering because they have no place to gather.

Ruth Ellen Griffin, West Cornwallian, suggested that one not forget the beauty of the railroad in the planning for the village.

Mark Wilson, West Cornwallian addressed the nature of distance and geography for services needed and available often only by automobile, stating his belief that the village of West Cornwall would never have all the services that one needed. Mr. Wilson stated that he was disturbed by the talk of inadequacies, deeming the village a lovely place to live and cautioning that one should be careful before making drastic changes.

Harry Coller, West Cornwallian, addressed the impact of the DEP changes relating to river releases and the hydroelectric plants being off-line. Mr. Coller stated that the town of Cornwall needed to address the issue and that the change had resulted in the reduction of thousands of recreational boaters and visitors to the river and the village of West Cornwall

Timothy Locke, West Cornwall resident and business man, addressed his concerns with traffic speeds and the change of the appearance of the railroad bridge on River Road to a metal industrial appearance.

Verne Henshall, West Cornwallian, suggested that the high rents were preventing the use of the buildings for coffee shops, etc. and that community spirit would help with the big picture.

Todd Piker, Cornwall Bridge resident, West Cornwall businessman and member of the “Economic Development” subcommittee, suggested that there was a general disinterest in Town Hall with commercial development and that current Town Hall interest was more related to agricultural usage and needs. Mr. Piker suggested that when a political body gets behind an idea, things can happen.

Bianca Griggs, West Cornwall resident, business woman and member of the “Economic Development” subcommittee, addressed the Town’s recent receipt of STEAP grant monies for façade improvements for local businesses. Mrs. Griggs suggested that the townspeople “keep on” the town government regarding their needs.

Jackie Saccoccio, West Cornwallian, suggested that the free flow of the river had resulted in more fishermen coming to Cornwall.

Hector Prud’homme, West Cornwallian, referring to Mr. Sawicki’s comments as to one town- three centers-with a lot of space in between, addressed his personal belief that Cornwall Bridge should more of the commercial center but that the P&Z should become more sophisticated so as to prevent Cornwall Bridge from being a strip center. Mr. Prud’homme suggested that West Cornwall was more geared and appropriate for small businesses, boutiques and family owned businesses.

Pricilla Miller spoke for Town Hall staff being helpful to her during her recent dealings with them.

Asher Levy spoke against village district regulations.

Ian Ingersoll stated his belief that he had no expectations of help and would prefer that West Cornwallian be left alone. References were made to past issues with the P&Z in terms of regulations relating to parking and parking capacity for the businesses in the village.

In response, Annie Koscisusko, chairman of the P&Z commission, addressed the flexibility that the commission can and has used in terms of shared parking and capacity of the available parking in West Cornwall.

Jim LaPorta addressed the P&Z wishes to seek input and work with the community.

In response to questions from Mr. Baren regarding “village district” regulations, Mr. McGowan addressed the overall nature of such regulations, stating that village district regulations actually provided flexibility to village developments village in terms of setback and design, flexible standards not found in the current zoning regulations. Mr. McGowan suggested that some forethought should be given so as to provide for flexible standards and criteria particular to the villages being considered when considering or adopting village district regulations.

Mr. Ingersoll addressed issues with Torrington Area Health and their perceived lack of flexibility and workability with West Cornwall residents and businesses. With general agreement from many in the audience, suggestions were tendered that Cornwall considered employing a private sanitarian similar to the set-up in Sharon.

In response to suggestions that a trail from West Cornwall to Cornwall Bridge be considered, issues with the lack of a logical way to come out in Cornwall Bridge (David Cadwell), issues with access over the railroad and CL&P properties (Prud’homme) were raised. Mr. Piker spoke in favor of the pursuit of a trail and Mr. Hare spoke in favor of the pursuit of a bike trail.

Nick’s wife raised questions regarding the status of the “pink house” with input from selectman KC Baird that the Board of Selectmen were working with the property owner, a Trust located in New Hampshire, to remedy the situation in the best fashion available.

Mr. Coller spoke for the beauty of West Cornwall and his wishes to get rid of the ugly structures (the lower River Road bridge) in the village.

Tim Locke raised questions regarding the green near the library and the issues with bathroom capacity and the use of the library. In response, Mrs. Farnsworth addressed ongoing pursuit of the use of CL&P land for a septic system for the library.

Mr. Sawicki addressed issues raised by the lack of public bathrooms in West Cornwall as relating to negative impact to the West Cornwall village business community. Mr. Sawicki urged that public bathrooms be considered as part of changes in the village with note made that the Board of Selectman was currently working with the Housatonic Valley Association regarding the matter of public bathrooms for persons accessing and using the river.

Hearing no other input, Mr. Hare and members of the commission thanked the audience for their input and the meeting adjourned by Mr. Hare at 9:30 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Karen Griswold Nelson