Open Space Plan - draft prepared

When at a recent Board of Alderman meeting to ensure that the final $6000 in funding for the RecPath Phase 1 construction would take place, myself and Vice Chairman Bill Dyer spoke to gathered reporters regarding upcoming events, notably the Open Space Plan and it's update as called for in the Plan of Conservation and Development (aka the "Master Plan")

An article appeared today in the CtPost which I cut/paste with comments to flesh out the story.
(articles are not always retained, below link may become stale)

http://www.connpost.com/valley/ci_10502404
By KATE RAMUNNIStaff writer
Article Last Updated: 09/18/2008 10:15:31 PM EDT

SHELTON -- As the Conservation Commission celebrates awarding more than $150,000 for upgrades to the Shelton Lakes Recreation Path, it is also looking at what revisions should be made to the city's Open Space Plan.

"If anyone has any input, we would like them to give it now," commission Chairman Tom Harbinson said.
** The Mayor was given the plan about a month ago. His initial comment to me was that there should be every effort made to involve the public and obtain their input toward the plan. Having knowledge over what the future may hold for property nearby a resident's home is an important aspect over their personal decisions and expectations, just as the plan helps the public decisions and direction taken by the officials and administrators of land use agencies.**

The commission has been working to update the plan for some time, Harbinson said, and it will soon go to the Planning and Zoning Commission, which will hold a public hearing.
** The Conservation Commission has been working on a draft update for over a year. The past plan was prepared before modern mapping tools were available that can give more detailed information for analysis. The core principals of the current Open Space Plan remain, that is it recognizes greenway corridors for focused Open Space acquisition. This was an early presentation of a concept that helped the plan win award and recognition, and became a concept also adopted by the State of Ct in it's land preservation/conservation efforts.**

It has been 15 years since the plan has been updated, so the commission wants to know what residents' priorities on preservation are, Harbinson said.
** The plan as I say will not stray from it's core principal and concept which has served the community well. As the available raw land that has an unsecured future dwindles in quantity, the decisions and choices made will become more difficult and costs are likely to rise for preservation/conservation efforts of those lands. Thus it is important to obtain the public's priorties via valued characteristics while in a setting where there is no pressure for a specific parcel. Decisions can be clouded by passion and "not in my back yard" swaying when in the midst of a development application. The current economic climate has caused a lack of new applications and presents opportunity to decide on issues such as this without the overlay of proceedures and subdivisions operating in the background.**

The Board of Aldermen also has been instrumental in making funds available for large open space purchases, he said.
** While the BOA membership has changed somewhat over the past 10+yrs, the current and consistent Mayoral administration has been a supporter of Open Space preservation. While I don't always agree with how we get to the end result, and every issue can not go in a conservation favor, Shelton has been the envy of many in the State and received substantial recognition for it's accomplishments with awards, and recognition that it is taking the appropriate direction with grants for both acquisitions and improvements upon them to benefit public enjoyment of passive recreation.**

The commission will give the plan to the Planning and Zoning Commission in time for its Oct. 14 meeting, Harbinson said, but he wants residents to have time to review the plan and give input.
More information on the plan is available at http://sheltonopenspace.googlepages.com/ or by contacting Conservation Agent Theresa Gallagher at 924-1555, ext 315.
** The Draft Open Space Plan text and maps have been available at the above mentioned webpages for several months. The Planning & Zoning Administrator and the Inland Wetlands Enforcement Administrator have been given the plan to review. They both have regular involvement with land-use issues and a long history of service in the City, so their knowledge and subsequent input to the draft is important. The Planning & Zoning Commission is the body that will review and subsequently adopt any planning document, with the Open Space Plan will be as a supplement to the Plan of Conservation & Development (sometimes known as the "Master Plan"). It is hoped that by October's meeting of the PZC, they will schedule the public hearings which are required as part of the approval process. This is in addition to the outreach efforts we on the Conservation Commission are making via venues such as this news article and subsequent blog entries. **

Meanwhile, the Board of Aldermen put the last touch on the $150,000 the commission needed to complete work on the Recreation Path to make it handicapped accessible. The board approved an additional $6,000 for a surety bond that the state requires for any project the city does over $100,000, Harbinson said. It already has approved $90,000 for the work, in addition to the use of the $60,000 Huntington Woods Trust Account money.
** A state law requires a surety bond, a requirement that the City can not waive. In this case on this project, it would seem a wasteful requirement given the single contractor with no subs and limited amount of materials purchased from a vendor.**

It's a rare example of the city using its funds for work on the trail, Trails Committee Chairman Bill Dyer said. "All of the trails have been created by volunteers," he said, "and we have gotten all of the money through grants. "We have a lot of talented people who have volunteered to help," he said, but they are always looking for others willing to donate their time and talent to the path. Anyone interested in getting involved can contact Gallagher
** Even the 3 timber bridges (visible at Huntington Center, on ConstBlvd near the SIS, and at Pine Lake near Rte108) came from a grant. Until this point, all the trails and improvements upon them have been made with zero to minimal municipal funds. Obviously the opportunity to create these amenities came from the City and the public affirming through acquisition that the land should be preserved as City Open Space.**