APPROVED / 1-22-2009
TOWN OF ENFIELD
ENFIELD REVITALIZATION STRATEGY COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF DECEMBER 17, 2008
TOWN HALL / ENFIELD ROOM
________________________________________________________________________
ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
Members Present:
Darrin LaMore, Chairman
Tophie Nowak, Vice Chairman
Ken Carlson
Kenneth Edgar
Bill Lee, Council Liaison
Pamela Leitao
James Gillespie Miller
Colleen Reidy
Jeanne Smith
Staff Members:
Peter Bryanton, Director of CD
Roger Alsbaugh, Assistant Planner
Call to Order:
Chairman LaMore opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m.
Approval of Minutes:
A motion was made by Mr. Edgar to approve the minutes, which was seconded by Mr. Carlson. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Bryanton announced that the Committee’s minutes and agenda are now posted on the Town’s website.
NEW BUSINESS
SPR #1464 – Change of Use permit application
Photograph Studio / 90 Pearl Street:
The Committee reviewed the proposed application. The applicant was not present at the meeting. There were no issues regarding the use, but members did have questions pertaining to exterior changes and, or the erection of a new sign as the application did not provide such information. Mr. Alsbaugh provided photos that showed alterations had been made to the façade of the building over the past few years. The work was done without approval from the PZC. Specifically, the doors and recessed entrance ways had been substantially altered from their original design. Mr. LaMore asked if the current owner of the building had initiated the work in question. Mr. Alsbaugh did not know if the current owner was responsible for the work, but indicated that the work should be reviewed regardless of who initiated it. Mr. Bryanton stated that he could find out who the owner is and how long they have owned the property. Mr. LaMore suggested that a letter be sent to the PZC recommending that the owner of the building be cited for not securing the proper approvals for the work in question.
After a brief discussion, Ms Nowak made a motion to recommend the proposed Photography Studio be approved with the condition that any signage or changes to the exterior be reviewed by the ERSC. The motion was seconded by Ms Reidy and passed unanimously.
A motion was made by Ms Reidy to submit a second letter to the PZC recommending that the property owner be cited for conducting façade work with out the proper zoning approvals. The motion was seconded by Ms Smith and passed unanimously. The letters will be written and submitted by Mr. Bryanton.
Update of Transit Center & Commuter Rail Project Public Hearings:
Mr. Alsbaugh passed out information he obtained at the Commuter Rail public hearing in Springfield and provided an update on new information from the State about the project. Mr. Bryanton attended a similar public hearing in Windsor. The State is conducting its Environmental Assessment for the proposed project. The State’s best estimate for the start of rail service is 2016. The State is also trying to work with Amtrak to provide commuter service prior to the full build-out scenario.
Mr. Bryanton stated that the Town held a public meeting on December 8th to announce the findings of the Thompsonville Intermodal Transit Center Feasibility Study. The proposed facility is being built in conjunction with the commuter rail project. There was a strong turn out of about 50 people. Support for the project was generally positive, however there were several question about the proposed bus services to and from the center as well as potential long term impacts on the surrounding residential areas. Those concerns will be addressed in the upcoming Environmental Assessment and Design phase, which the Town will soon advertise for consultant proposals. Mr. Alsbaugh asked if there would be any future meetings on the feasibility study and suggested that a special meeting be held with the Voices of Thompsonville to apprise them of these plans. Mr. LaMore asked if that would be possible. Mr. Bryanton stated that it would be possible and that a meeting could be held once the Town received the final draft of the study. Mr. Bryanton will bring copies of the final draft to the next Committee meeting where the issue can be discussed further.
OLD BUSINESS
Review results from Town Council meeting:
Mr. LaMore gave a brief overview of the joint meeting with the Town Council. Mr. Bryanton stated that the most important development was the adoption of the Action Plan and the support of the Action Items. The Committee needs to work on 5 Action Item Priorities and develop recommendations. The Committee reviewed the 5 priorities and discussed how to best address them. Mr. Alsbaugh stated that the Certified Local Government application to the federal government is already underway and hopefully will be approved soon. One of the most important items will be to encourage more homeownership opportunities within the village and to work towards limiting rental unit conversions. Mr. Bryanton stated that affordable homeownership needs to be a priority for the village going forward. He also stated that the residential rental permit system idea met with resistance from some of the Town Councilors, but that there are examples of voluntary compliance from other communities. Mr. Calson stated that the Landlords Association was also not in support of a mandatory permit system, but that a voluntary system might be better received. Mr. LaMore stated that the development of a Community Development Corporation, which is one of the priorities, is being spear-headed by Jack Lopes. Mr. Lopes is currently developing a subcommittee to explore the potential of re-establishing the Enfield CDC, which is still registered with the State as a corporation. The Committee needs to work on recommendations for all of these initiatives and present them to the Town Council before the end of the fiscal year.
COMMITTEE & SUBCOMMITTEE COMMUNICATIONS
- Mr. Lee provided an update on the North Haven Commuter Rail project public hearing. He stated that according to the State DOT, parts of the EA may be waived to help speed up the process. The waived portions could include work already being performed by municipalities like Enfield, and from improvement in existing Amtrak service. He also informed the Committee that Enfield is on the steering committee for the rail project. It will be important for Enfield to prepare itself for changes that will occur once these transit services are in place.
Next Meeting:
The next ERSC meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 22, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
Adjournment:
A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Ms Leitao and seconded by Mr. Cimino. The motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Submitted by:
Peter Bryanton
Director of Community Development
Approved By:
Darrin LaMore, ERSC Chairman
Signature: _______________________________________ Date: __________________
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