PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 8, 2009
Present: Regular members Lynn Cheney, David Colbert, Pat Hare, Chris Hopkins, Heidi Kearns, and James LaPorta, Alternate members Emilie Pryor, Buddy Hurlburt and Josh Tyson, commission staff Karen Griswold Nelson and commission planning consultant Tom McGowan
Vice Chairman Pat Hare called the meeting to order at 7:40P.M. in the Cornwall Town Hall.
PUBLIC HEARING CONTINUED:
Adoption of the Proposed Cornwall Town Plan of Conservation and Development as prepared by the Cornwall Planning &Zoning Commission as required by Section 8-23 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
The entire proceedings were recorded on audio tape and are available in Town Hall.
Vice chairman Hare opened the floor to the public for final comment.
Joanne Wojtusiak, Furnace Brook Road resident, addressed the commission regarding the goals, as stated in the draft plan, regarding affordable housing, referencing her own statements and others statements at the previous Plan of C&D hearings. Ms. Wojtusiak re-iterated her belief that the Merz property in Cornwall Bridge was a missed opportunity and added her concerns regarding the lack of coordination regarding water supply based on the proximity of the Cornwall Water Company (Rick Stone), the financial obligation that will be incurred by the town for the project and her belief that the overall project design had not been looked at comprehensively enough including the lack of communal space in the project. With response from Mr. Hare and Mr. LaPorta regarding the IHZ zone and the P&Z commission’s purview in the endorsement of affordable housing projects, Ms. Wojtusiak reiterated her belief that the housing being proposed on the Merz property was not consistent with the affordable housing being addressed in the Plan and that the community and commission needed to question the meaning of “affordable”. Ms. Wojtusiak referenced comments from the community during the recent ZBA Sweet Peet hearing regarding the values that Cornwallians feel are important.
Prior to the close of the hearing, letters submitted at previous hearings were officially made part of the record:
November 19, 2009 correspondence from Ralph and Charles Gold.
November 21, 2009 correspondence from Ella Clark.
Hearing no other comments:
Motion Mrs. Kearns, second Mr. Hopkins, at 8:05PM to close the continued PUBLIC HEARING for the Adoption of the Proposed Cornwall Town Plan of Conservation and Development as prepared by the Cornwall Planning &Zoning Commission as required by Section 8-23 of the Connecticut General Statutes; unanimously approved.
REGULAR MEETING:
APPLICATIONS FOR ZONING PERMITS.
#811– David Strettell – 55 Warren Hill Road - Addition, modifications and reconstruction of an existing single family residence as per plans on file. Permit approved 11/24/2009.
#812 Johan Winsser - Construction of a 12’ x 16’ utility shed – 28 Woodruff Lane. Permit approved 11/24/2009.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES. November meetings.
Motion Mrs. Kearns, second Mr. LaPorta, to approve the minutes of the November 10th meeting with corrections; unanimously approved.
NEW APPLICATIONS: None.
PENDING APPLICATIONS. None.
5. CORRESPONDENCE AND COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVED.
OTHER BUSINESS.
Election of Officers.
Motion made by Mr. Colbert, seconded by Mr. LaPorta to nominate Pat Hare as chairman of the Planning & Zoning commission.
Hearing no other nominations, motion made by Mrs. Kearns to close the nominations. By unanimous approval, Mr. Hare elected as chairman of the Planning & Zoning Commission.
Motion made by Mr. Hare, seconded by Mr. Colbert, to nominate Lynn Cheney as vice- chairman of the Planning & Zoning commission.
Hearing no other nominations, motion made by Mrs. Kearns to close the nominations. By unanimous approval, to elect Mrs. Cheney as vice-chairman of the Planning & Zoning Commission.
Motion made by Mr. Hare, seconded by Mrs. Kearns, to nominate Chris Hopkins as secretary of the Planning & Zoning commission.
Hearing no other nominations, motion made by Mrs. Kearns to close the nominations. By unanimous approval to elect Mr. Hopkins as secretary of the Planning & Zoning Commission.
Meeting dates for the year 2010.
Motion made by Mr. Colbert, seconded by Mrs. Kearns to approve the dates of January 12, February 9, March 9, April 13, May 11, June 8, July 13, August 10, September 14, October 12, November 9, December 14, all meetings to commence at 7:00PM and be held in Cornwall Town Hall; unanimously approved.
DISCUSSION ON THE ADOPTION OF THE PLAN OF CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT.
Discussion was opened regarding consideration of changes to be made to the draft Plan prior to adoption based on comments from the public hearings and written correspondence received.
The “Economic Development” subcommittee, co-chairs Jim LaPorta and Heidi Kearns listed the following proposed changes relating to their section:
Additional language to encourage wireless zones and DSL in the town and village centers to move Cornwall further in the information age.
The agricultural commission be made part of farmers markets regulation changes.
References to home based businesses be addressed and the consideration of some limited retail in home based business and/or central retail spaces.
The incorporation of the current Plan into the proposed Plan to provide consistency.
The “Natural Resources” subcommittee co-chair Dave Colbert listed the following proposed changes relating to their section
Additional language to support appropriate development of new and/or alternate forms of farming and agricultural activities.
Address telecommunications facilities and update current policies if necessary.
Additional language as suggested by the Energy Task force to encourage the siting and construction of energy efficient housing.
The “Housing” subcommittee co- chairs Pat Hare and Chris Hopkins listed the following proposed changes relating to their section.
Addition language, based on recommendations from the Board of Selectmen, regarding affordable housing and the funding for same.
Address the consideration of condominium-ization of larger housing.
Add support for the Incentive Housing Zone study.
The “Community and Cultural Resources” subcommittee co-chairs Lynn Cheney and Emilie Pryor listed the following proposed changes relating to their section:
Make changes and additions to the list of organizations
Additional language regarding enhancements to the town beach.
Make modifications to the social services section of the Plan to address need based assessment and services.
Add language for support of the Cornwall Consolidated School and the Cornwall Free Library.
Discussion ensued as to the next steps regarding the adoption of the Plan, the consideration as to the inclusion of the Board of Selectman’s letter of endorsement in the Plan and other additions and corrections. The draft Plan with corrections and additions being prepared by Mr. McGowan was to be revisited at the January 12, 2010 meeting.
Mr. Hare presented a draft letter to the Board of Selectmen regarding the use of capital funds from the Plan of Conservation & Development being made available for the implementation of the Plan in the coming years. Commission consensus was that the letter be forwarded to the Board of Selectmen.
ADJOURNMENT.
Motion Mr. Hopkins, second Mrs. Kearns, to adjourn at 9:45PM; unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen Griswold Nelson