MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CORNWALL PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION HELD ON JUNE 13, 2006.

A Regular Meeting of the Cornwall Planning and Zoning Commission was held at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, June 13, 2006, in the Cornwall Town Hall. Present were: members Lynn Cheney, David Colbert, Patrick Hare (8:45), Anne Kosciusko, Richard Lynn and alternates, James LaPorta and Emilie Pryor (8:05). Land Use Administrator Karl Nilsen and Clerk Colin Gold were also present. James was designated to vote for Chris.

REGULAR MEETING

The Minutes of the Regular Meeting of May 9, 2006 and the Special Meeting of May 23, 2006 were approved with the following amendment. For the May 9, 2006 meeting, Lynn suggested rewording the sentence about James sitting in for Chris, so as to avoid any confusion as to what James’ role was.

OLD BUSINESS

GIS Build-out Map Ken, Nature Conservancy

Ken Geisler and Greg Overton, of the Nature Conservancy appeared before the Commission and presented their ideas of how best to do the Build-out Analysis GIS map. They submitted a handout of the basics of Build-outs and explained briefly. Rick gave them a run-down of what GIS layers the Town already had. They included: a parcel layer with assessor’s data, zoning, protected lands, IW and soils, and slopes. James asked if there is any quality control or ground-truthing involved in the Build-out or if it was simply all done behind a computer with the given data. Ken replied that if there are obvious errors, then they will be fixed. He added that the zoning regulations would also be needed. Annie and Rick said they would make sure that the regs. on the website were up-to-date. Ken thought that he could finish the project in three to four weeks if all went well. Rick wanted to know what could be done to predict future commercial growth. Ken said that the Build-out software was basically limited to the number of buildings. Rick remarked, however, that it would be interesting to see whether over-population of residential units would necessitate more jobs being created. Annie asked Ken how he would like the raw data presented to him. Ken said that CD or DVD format would be best. Rick said that he would get in touch with Kirk Sinclair, of HVA, to see about getting the data to Ken. Ken gave his email (kgeisler@tnc.org) and phone number (860-344-0716 x341 M-W). He also emphasized that any input or suggestions would be helpful to him throughout the process of doing the Build-out GIS.

Annie made a motion to change the agenda so the Whitford’s would not have to wait any longer. The motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

Application for Subdivision Approval Robert and Barbara Whitford

College Street

Bart Clark and Emily Whitford appeared before the Commission and gave an explanation of what was being proposed. Bart said that the regulations had been satisfied for the rear lot. Karl Nilsen, Land Use Administrator, said that he would have his report done before the Public Hearing. David Colbert asked about the open space set-aside. Bart replied that the lot would be going to relatives of the Whitfords’, so there was no provision for such. David made a motion to accept the application and set the Public Hearing for July 11, 2006. James seconded, and it carried. Emilie questioned whether she was able to vote, even though she was not present when alternates were designated to vote. Annie said she could. Lynn wanted to know if it was possible to verify whether applicants who subdivided for relatives were actually doing so, and not just saying they were to avoid the open space requirements. Karl replied that what is said at Public Hearings are part of the official approval of the resubdivision, so if the applicant said the lot was going to a relative, this would be binding.

OLD BUSINESS CONT.

Regulation Review To require Conservation Plans for large subdivisions

Rick had a copy of Torrington’s Conservation Subdivision Regulations and a checklist, as well as Hebron’s. He submitted them to Colin to distribute to members. Emilie wondered when developers found out that for large subdivisions there was also a Conservation plan required. Karl responded that they would know from the very beginning when they submitted an application. Annie reminded the Commission that to change Regulations is a long process, so reading over the copies as soon as possible would precipitate the process.

Upcoming Seminars Transfer of Development Rights, Open Space

It was requested that Colin change the language on the Agenda of the first seminar to avoid confusion, from “Transfer of Development Rights” to Town Purchases of Land or Development Rights as a Planning Strategy,” which is the official name of the seminar. For the second seminar of Open Space, David wrote a Chronicle blurb and made a poster. He believed that some revisions would be needed, and Annie said that she would do some fact checking for it.

COMMUNICATIONS

Emilie informed the Commission that the Cornwall Conservation Trust will be doing a survey, taking inventory of conservation priorities in town. She wondered if it should be worded so that the PZC could benefit from it as well. Rick wondered about the format of the questions and suggested adding some about things that residents found objectionable about the Town.

David made a motion to add signage issues to the agenda. It was seconded by Lynn and carried. Karl wanted to know what action the Commission believed he should take in regard to the sandwich boards. He suggested taking pictures and uploading them onto the computer to print and add them to the cease-and-desist letters. Rick clarified what the process would be. Karl said that there was already money appropriated for the camera and that he and Colin could work out a system.

Rick went over some of the new legislation in the NWCCOG newsletter. Included were: BOS approval of the POCD, second free cut ordinance, and notice requirements. The Commission had many questions and possible scenarios that could be played out to cope with these new requirements. Rick suggested adding to the Agenda for a future meeting some time for the Commission to sort through the language of these Acts.

Rick also mentioned that suggestions for improvements on the maps be made soon, so the contract could be closed out. He suggested that two weeks be the target.

Annie said that David Grossman should be added to the Agenda for the June Special Meeting.

Pat arrived and asked whether there were any questions about the seminars that he should be made aware of. As there were none, he went on to something else. Pat asked how the DeLuca process was coming along. Annie said that Gordon had initiated the Kingsmark study. Pat said that in his experience it has been good to have a voice early on in the process, so as not to have to play catch up. Emily thought that it would be good to get Tom McGowan at a meeting so he knows what we expect of him. Some issues about the budget came up. The Commission asked that Colin bring a monthly budget to the meetings. The Commission wondered what the role of the PZC is in regard to the special coalition group. They determined that it is to give direction only. Annie asked whether the Commission would like Gordon to come to the next meeting and give an update of what has been happening. It was agreed that this would be done. Lynn wondered whether someone should put a call in to Tom McGowan and ask him for an update as well. Annie agreed to do this. Annie also asked to add an Agenda item for budget allocation for the POCD.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 9:45.

Colin Gold, Land Use Clerk

NOTE – THESE MINUTES ARE A DRAFT. THEY WILL BE NOTED AS FINAL ONLY AFTER THEY ARE REVIEWED AND APPROVED AS DRAFTED OR AS MODIFIED AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING OF THE CORNWALL P&Z COMMISSION.