1. Call to order: Called to order by Chairman Simm at 6:08 pm. Commission members also in attendance were Cole, Bell, Herbst, Swenarton and Lyons. Baldwin and Dewire were absent. Town Planner Brynes was absent.
2. Review of Town Developments and Proposals.
2a. PZ0665ZC & CAM Latimer Point Condominium Assoc., Inc. - Application for Zone Change approval from Zoning District RC-120 to designation of RM-20, and a Coastal Area Management Review. Properties located on Latimer Point Road, East Shore Rd., & North Shore Way, Stonington, CT. Assessor’s Map 154 Block 2 Lots 4-19, 7A, 16A & CE78; Map 154 Block 6 Lots 1A, 10 & 11. Zone RC-120. Association has undivided common interest in all the land; is nonconforming. RC-120 provides protection for environmental issues; it doesn't allow improvements within 100 feet of wetlands or cove. MOTION: This fragile coastline has the protection that the RC-120 zone provides. Homeowners can seek redress on a case by case basis through the ZBA (Swenarton, Bell). Passed unanimously. Baldwin arrived at 6:35 PM.
2b. Any pending applications and new preliminary proposals. None.
3. Open Space Committee
Motion to reconsider agenda item 3a. Open space plan update – discussion on parcels for preservation as part of item 7 later.
3b. Discussion on parcels for preservation in Pawcatuck – Ben. No comment.
3c. Discussion on possible referendum for open space bonding. Discussion on timing of bond issue and amount. On the agenda of the Board of Finance.
4. Old Business
4a. Report on PZC Open Space Subcommittee. Later with item 3a. as part of item 7.
4b. Mystic River Dam Committee. Nothing new.
4c. Taugwonk Road Rezoning Discussion Update. Chairman Simm went a meeting of the Uplands Association; in the works.
5. New Business
5a. Discussion on grant and matching funds for trails program. Nothing new to report.
5b. Consideration and discussion for a workshop regarding the Perkins farm. Nothing new to report. Town Planner Brynes working on it.
5c. Discussion on recommended procedure for Town’s acceptance of conservation easements and open space. Nothing new to report.
5d. Discussion on formation of a Stonington Land Trust. Chairman Simm said the Upland Association is interested and the Pfizer Farm, 90± acres, is a distinct possibility. A separate committee was formed to investigate. Simm, Cole, and Herbst volunteered to serve on it.
5e. Scheduling of Regular Meetings for 2007. Schedule set for the fourth Monday of the month with the location at 6PM in the Police Station Community Room, same as 2006. Variations: 5/21 & 12/17. Chairman Simm will deliver to Town Clerk.
6. Review of October 23, 2006 meeting minutes. MOTION: To approve the minutes as written (Herbst, Swenarton). Passed unanimously.
7. Public Workshop on Open Space Planning in Stonington Herbst introduced the speakers at the appointed time of 7:30 PM. About 75 members of the public were in attendance.
7a. Public workshop on Open Space Planning featuring James Gibbons of the University of Connecticut, NEMO Program – (Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials). Gibbons presented an outline for a "resource-based land use planning process." A handout is available. A Community Resource Inventory is now available online (http://clear.uconn.edu/projects/cri/index.htm). Gibbons suggested quarterly meetings of all land use commissions.
7b. Presentation by Harvey Perry, Westerly Land Trust. Introduced by Chairman Simm, Perry described the history of the Westerly Land Trust and working with town government and the public.
7c. Presentation of Conservation Commission’s Draft Open Space Plan. Baldwin presented a synopsis of the plan. The public departed at 9:45 PM.
8. Motion to Adjourn (Bell). Meeting adjourned at 10 PM.
Respectfully submitted by Ben Baldwin, Acting Secretary. Approved at a regular meeting of the Conservation Commission on 12/18/2006.
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