MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CORNWALL PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION HELD on July 24, 2007.

A special meeting of the Cornwall Planning and Zoning was held at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2007, in the Cornwall Town Hall. Present were: members David Colbert, Lynn Cheney, Anne Kosciusko, Patrick Hare, Chris Hopkins, Rick Lynn, alternate James

LaPorta, and town planning consultant Tom McGowan. Also present was one member of the audience. Karen Nelson was absent so minutes were recorded by Lynn Cheney and Chris Hopkins.

Call to Order at 7:45.

NEW BUSINESS: Annie had a copy of an old 1975 Lakeville Journal with a section explaining Cornwall’s town plan at that time. Most of the information was still relevant.

Annie mentioned she would be absent for the public hearing scheduled for Aug.14, 2007. Since the hearing is scheduled to continue for two meetings that should not be a problem. David is next in line to run the meeting and if he should be unavailable, Rick Lynn was appointed by Annie to take over. Tom McGowan has been asked to present some information as to what criteria are relevant to rezoning decisions. Tom stated that usually towns have a moratorium on zone changes while in the process of rewriting their town plans.

OLD BUSINESS: Open Space Regulations:

Tom answered some legal questions: 1) Deed restriction is an option but it is not as permanent unless continually renewed. It was felt promoting use of this option by listing it in the new regulations was unwise. 2) Public Access. The Commission does have the authority to require public access to open space. More specific revisions can be added in the case of vehicular access such as requiring an area 40 feet wide with a maximum grade of 15% slope. Pat raised the issue of making it mandatory that open space be open to the public but most members seemed uncomfortable with that approach. 3) YES, It is clear that the Commission has the authority to determine what land will be open space. Further discussion revealed that the Commission is still unsure of the definition of the area to be used in determining subdivision acreage. Is it based on the original lot size or the size of the piece carved out of the whole? If no house is on the original lot how does one determine which parcel becomes lot A and which one becomes lot B(meaning the parcel carved out)? It was agreed a written legal opinion was needed.

At this point the audience member weighed in with his opinion that a taking of 15% of land was unfair. Pat pointed out the results of increased property values and protection for the future of Cornwall. The audience was reassured there would be a public hearing before any regulatory changes could be made and that he could ask to be included on a mailing or email list for P&Z agendas.

David brought up a question about the wisdom in using the word “may” versus “shall” in subdivisions including only two lots. Does it give the Commission added versatility or make the taking of open space more difficult?

TOWN PLAN UPDATE: Tom McGowan presented a written report from the Town Forum held June 23, 2007. Reviewing this report generated many ideas including:

1) Is there a legal solution to preventing McMansions? Are the current regulations for minimum house size legal?

2) Revise explanation of parcel program.

3) Do we need a new committee to investigate ways to sustain Cornwall’s sense of Community? Loss of the dump as community hub, end of Bridge Dance, could Mohawk be used in summer added to Tom’s review list. Solution: assign this to Lynn’s group.

4) Would redesigning Cornwall Bridge road system promote safety and business? Solution: A special Cornwall Bridge forum to deal with specific Cornwall Bridge issues. Probably a West Cornwall forum helpful as well.

5) Should we hold a special Cornwall farmers’ forum?

6) Discussion on whether all approaches to Cornwall’s housing issues will be covered by Pat and Chris’s committee.

Meeting adjourned at 10:45.

Submitted by Lynn H. Cheney