PUBLIC HEARING MINUTES
July 21, 2014
8:15 p.m.
South Windsor Town Council
PURPOSE: To receive citizen input on amendments to the South Windsor Plan of Conservation and Development
Mayor Anwar called the Public Hearing to order at 8:15 p.m.; and requested that the Clerk of the Council read the call of the meeting (a copy of which is attached hereto).
Mr. Glenn Chalder from Planimetrics came before the Town Council to present modifications that have been made to the current Plan of Conservation and Development. As part of the planning process a survey was done by residents and through that survey 68% of residents felt it is important for South Windsor to have a Town Center. The Plan of Conservation and Development then recommended that the Planning & Zoning Commission investigate ways to make this happen. The Planning & Zoning requested that Planimetrics work with them to establish a Town Center in Wapping. Mr. Chalder gave the public and the Town Council more information regarding the establishment of a Town Center, as shown in attached Exhibit B and C. Mr. Chalder also explained during his presentation that other recommendations are
changes to the zoning map, Zoning Regulations and Route 5.
Mayor Anwar asked if there was anyone from the public that would like to speak.
Mr. Robert Dickinson, 19 Birch Road came forward and stated he would like to see this plan for the Town Center be bicycle and pedestrian friendly. Mr. Dickinson suggested that locking bicycle posts be established in the plan.
Mr. Peter DeMallie, Design Professionals, Inc. stated that this is an opportunity for tremendous economic development on a relatively modest scale in the center of South Windsor. The development of Town Center will also allow for true mixed use development in one area. The one item missing is transit which can be looked at in the future. Mr. DeMallie stated he would be supporting this Plan of Conservation and Development.
Mr. Matthew Riley, 12 Heatherwood Drive stated he would like to discuss the Old Post Office which resides in the center north overlay zone. The Old Post Office was purchased between 5-6 years ago for over $1M and the original intent was to use that building to alleviate the overcrowding in the Town Hall. More recently there has been an idea put forth about converting that space into a Regional Emergency Operation Center and also a business incubator facility. Mr. Riley felt that this plan is flawed for the following reasons: 1) The current plan only calls for 1,200 square feet to be used for the EOC, that is 14% of the 8,500 square feet that is the Town Hall Annex; 2) Other Towns have not been lined up to use this facility so the idea of having it be a regional facility is suspect; 3) The plan calls for this business
incubator space. This idea has not been well thought out because facilities don’t commercialize new enterprises, people and new service offerings do. The creation of low rent office space that might be augmented by some shared business services or networking service is not a true incubator space; and 4) The cost of the project. When the original 2013 STEAP Grant was applied for, the Town received $500,000 to convert that location. The plan indicates the total cost to construct that property was $2.2M. The most recent STEAP grant application indicates that the cost have risen by $500,000 bringing the total to $2.7M. Even if the second $500,000 is granted there is still $1.7M that the taxpayers will have to spend on that property.
South Windsor Plan of Conservation and Development
July 21, 2014
Page 2
Mr. Riley stated that the Town Council should make a decision on what is the highest and best use for that property. An alternative location for the EOC with 1,200 square feet could be found. The business incubator space idea should be eliminated. The Town should market the Old Post Office as part of the development plan here to a third party and try to recoup the original $1M plus that was spent on that property.
Mr. William Tellier, 2045 John Fitch Boulevard stated he is in favor of this improvement to this area.
Mayor Anwar then asked for a Straw Vote from the public.
Those who are in favor of the amendments to the South Windsor Conservation and Development Plan: 10
Those who are opposed of the amendments to the South Windsor Conservation and Development Plan: 0
The public hearing was closed at 8:41 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
________________________________
Deborah W. Reid
Clerk of the Council
Public Hearing Notice – Exhibit A
South Windsor Center – Exhibit B and C
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