MINUTES
Newtown Planning and Zoning Commission
SUBJECT TO APPROVAL
Land Use Office Regular Meeting
Council Chamber April 4, 2013
Primrose Street, Newtown, Connecticut
Present: Ms. Dean, Ms. Brymer, Mr. Porco and Mr. Swift. Alternates: Mr. Pozek seated for Mr. Mulholland and Mr. Spragg. Also present: George Benson, Land Use Director. Clerk: Ms. Wilkin
The meeting was opened at 7.35 p.m. Notice is made that the entire meeting was taped and can be heard in the Planning and Zoning Office, Municipal Building, 3 Primrose Street, Newtown, Connecticut
MANDATORY REFERRALS
MANDATORY REFERRAL UNDER CGS 8-24 FROM THE BOROUGH OF NEWTOWN FOR PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE BOROUGH OF NEWTOWN ZONING REGULATIONS AT SECTION 6.07C PERTAINING TO SIGNS IN A PROFESSIONAL ZONE
Ms. Dean will write a letter to the Borough advising them that the Commission unanimously approves the proposed amendment
COMMUNICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE
PRESENTATION BY DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ELIZABETH STOCKER CONCERNING THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION’S SECTION OF THE POCD
Ms. Stocker distributed her report that can be obtained at the Land Use office.
As stated “The purposed of this memorandum is to describe the existing conditions and characteristics of Newtown’s economy, discuss the changes in the Town’s economic base since the preparation of the previous Plan of Development in 2004, describe Newtown’s future economic development potential and provide a discussion of economic development issues.”
“The Strategic Plan outlines the following six goals:
The six major Goals the commission will pursue in the next five years are, In order of perceived importance:
- Reduce the burden of taxes on individual homeowners by increasing the commercial/industrial assessment portion of the Newtown Grand List from 6.94 percent to one percent or approximately $43 million over the next five years. This requires a market investment of about $62.6 million in land and/or buildings.
- Promote economic development of town-owned commercial and industrial properties and facilitate lease/sale options.
- Attract new business and commercial endeavors to develop vacant tracts of land and assist in bringing suitable businesses into existing vacant commercial and industrial spaces
- Increase the development potential of existing commercial and industrial properties by enhancing opportunities for economic growth within these areas. Explore opportunities for expanding into new areas where commercial and industrial spaces.
- Nurture the hundreds of existing small enterprises in Newtown by fostering multifaceted efforts to encourage their growth.
- Better serve Newtown’s existing commercial base.”
There was a brief discussion and suggested changes made to the document. Ms. Dean thanked Ms. Stocker, adding that she is anxious to get the final document.
PUBLIC HEARING (Continued)
APPLICATION BY THE TOWN OF NEWTOWN PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION FOR UPDATE TO THE TOWN OF NEWTOWN PAN OF CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT
Nothing to report this meeting.
LAND USE AGENCY DIRECTOR’S COMMENTS
Mr. Benson advised that beginning this Friday and continuing every Friday into May, meetings will be held to discuss the future of the Sandy Hook School.
Ms. Dean advised that the stadium referred to in Mr. D’Amico’s Master Plan that came before the Commission at the last meeting needs to be relocated because the proposed site is Wetland. A general discussion ensued.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Pozek made a motion to approve the Minutes of March 7, 2013 as submitted. Seconded by Mr. Porco. The motion was unanimously approved.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Pozek made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Mr. Swift. The motion was unanimously approved.
The meeting adjourned at 9:02 p.m.
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