SWALPAC
SOUTH WINDSOR AGRICULTURAL LAND PRESERVATION ADVISORY COMMISSION
Minutes June 19, 2012
MEMBERS PRESENT: E. Warren, W. McKinney, D. Rys, S. Jeski, C. Decker
MINUTES TAKEN BY: Michele Lipe, Town Planner
CALL TO ORDER: 7:40 pm
1. New Business
Meeting with Heidi Samokar, consultant from Planimetrics, to review the Farmland Section found in draft of Booklet 4: Conservation Topics for the update to the Town’s Plan of Conservation and Development
(Attachment A)
E. Warren called the meeting to order. She distributed a flyer which listed all the active farm stands around town. Ways of communicating this information to the public was discussed.
E. Warren introduced Heidi Samokar of Planimetrics. Ms. Samokar reviewed for the Commission where the PZC was in the process of updating the current Town Plan and indicating she was here to get feedback form members related specifically to the farming recommendations that were being crafted for the plan. She indicated she had reviewed the current plan that had been produced by SWALPAC and used that as a basis for some of the recommendations she was making.
Introductions of SWALPAC members and their interest in farming took place.
In discussing top accomplishments of the Committee, the members felt that their work on getting referendums passed for the purchase of open space land was key for keeping land in farming. They also discussed their outreach to farmers and estate planning seminars that have been held.
The Committee expressed some frustration in their inability to convince the Town Council to pursue “Transfer of Development Rights” which allows the monies to go further. A discussion ensued. It was felt that the council’s hesitation to pursuing development rights is really a philosophical issue - the Town would prefer to own the land outright and not have any constraints on the future development potential of the land.
Specific goals and recommendations for the new plan were discussed (Attachment A).
Some of the ideas discussed included: develop mapping that would show existing farming taking place in South Windsor; conduct a Farm audit of regulations in our community to see if there are any specific zoning regulations that restrict farming that should be addressed; adopt a “Right to Farm” ordinance that would send a message to the community that farming is recognized as an important part of our culture; create a “Agricultural Zone overlay that would incorporate some added measures to buffer farmland from development; and assist in the promotion of locally grown foods.
The Committee briefly discussed the newly formed South Windsor Food Alliance subcommittee and some of the efforts they were undertaking.
When asked what the number one priority of the Committee, the response was the protection of farming rights. The Committee also felt it was important to keep in touch with farmers to understand their changing needs as well as to inform them of potential programs they could take advantage of.
Ms. Samokar thanked the Committee for their input and encouraged the members to bring forward any other ideas they may have. The best way to communicate any additional information is through Michele Lipe, Town Planner.
ADJOURNED: 8:40 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Michele Lipe
Town Planner
Approved: September 25, 2012
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