EAST HARTFORD PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
OCTOBER 23, 2013
PLAN OF CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT
WORKSHOP SESSION MINUTES
A Workshop Session Meeting of the EAST HARTFORD PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION was held in the Town Council Chambers, Town Hall, 740 Main Street, East Hartford, Connecticut on October 23, 2013.
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Anthony F. Kayser; Chair;
Kathleen Salemi; Secretary;
Peter Bonzani; Vice-Chair;
Thomas Fitzgerald;
Paul J. Roczynski;
Valentine Povinelli, Jr.;
Travis Simpson;
Amy Sawyer (Alternate, arrived 7:10 p.m.)
Crystal Hernandez (Alternate)
Mary Whaples (Alternate)
ALSO PRESENT:
Michael Dayton, Town Planner
Chair Anthony Kayser declared a quorum present with 7members and 2 alternates. (Ms. Sawyer had not arrived yet)
Chair Kayser summarized the process by which the town’s Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) is updated. He indicated that, in addition to this public workshop and future public hearing(s), the public will have until November 8th to submit their written comments on the POCD to the Development Department.
PRESENTATION FROM BUCKHURST FISH & JACQUEMART, INC., PLANNING CONSULTANTS
Planning Consultants Frank Fish and Susan Favate, both from Buckhurst, Fish & Jacquemart, used a PowerPoint presentation to review with the Commission and the public the proposed revisions to the town’s Plan of Conservation and Development. Last revised in 2003, the Connecticut State Statutes mandate that each town in Connecticut update their POCD every ten years.
PLANNING AND ZOINING COMMISSION DISCUSSION
Travis Simpson (1) asked for a clearer explanation of the fee in lieu of parking; (2) commented on the designation of mixed use areas; and (3) inquired on what could be done to spur job-growth in areas in town that are the decline since the last POCD was implemented.
Chair Kayser would like to see the Founders Plaza sector extended to include Silver Lane and Pitkin Street.
Val Povinelli inquired on additional parking spaces, either on-street or parking garage, in the Founders Plaza area to accommodate those people who walk into Hartford.
Amy Sawyer (1) asked how the POCD will address the need to rehab older housing stock; and (2) inquired on a program to help renters become first time homeowners.
PUBLIC COMMENT SESSION
Susan Kniep, 50 Olde Roberts Street, (1) suggested having more copies of the proposed POCD ready for the public prior to the next public meeting; (2) stated that the minutes of the Planning & Zoning Commission should be filed on-line; and (3) believes that the town needs more commercial development.
Rich Kehoe, 8 Knollwood Road, (1) stated that the proposed expansion of the I-3 zone will be beneficial to the town’s tax base; (2) fully supports the mixed use concept within the town’s riverfront community; (3) believes that the Silver Lane corridor, which is a very visible section of the town due to Rentschler Field location, needs to be addressed; and (4) agrees that the POCD should stabilize the housing market to increase owner-occupied properties.
Mayor Leclerc (1) believes that the POCD addresses the need for walkable communities, especially the “55 and over” age group; (2) the interplay of Goodwin College and Rentschler Field is important to the town’s growth; and (3) agrees with Chair Kayser regarding the expansion of the Founders Plaza area to include Silver Lane and Pitkin Street, and believes that it could also include the Connecticut Boulevard area as well.
Don Sugalski, 1736 Main Street, (1) stated the need for owner-occupied housing in East Hartford – stating that only 47% of homes in town are occupied by their owners; and (2) commented on the adverse effect that Pratt & Whitney’s decreasing workforce has on the town’s economy.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Pete Bonzani, seconded by Kathy Salemi, to adjourn at 8:35 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michael J. Dayton
Town Planner
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