NHReg article on adoption of OSPlan

On TueDec9 the Planning and Zoning Commission met and on the agenda was possible adoption of the Open Space Plan. The NHRegister had an article, which I cut/paste with my comments as is custom for this blog.
http://nhregister.com/articles/2008/12/11/news/valley/b6-shopen.txt

Thursday, December 11, 2008 6:03 AM EST
By Sarah W. Caron, Register Correspondent

SHELTON — An angry exchange between city officials at the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting Tuesday followed the tabling of a vote on the proposed update to the Open Space Plan.

The update would change the city’s goal for open space from 10 percent of land in the city to 15 percent. However, PZC member Leon Sylvester, who said he had not yet read the draft document, which was completed by the Conservation Commission in August, expressed concerns that other items in the document might later cause problems for the PZC. He favored approving the document in theory, though not giving it a full and formal approval.

++ To be clear on the obfuscation attempted by Commissioner Sylvester in the same breath: 1) he wanted to approve the document, 2) with concern over items in the document that might hold the PZC accountable to following a plan, he didn't want to give it full and formal approval (an approval of theory?), 3) and yet he hadn't even read the plan.++

“I think 15 percent hangs over my head as that is the recommendation and I think that should be debated. ... I am not trying to thwart the plan. I am just trying to put some sort of disclaimer in here that would protect the (planning) board,” Sylvester said.

++ The PZC's own Plan of Conservation & Development calls for an increase in percentage of Open Space acreage preservation achievement, and to increase the open space set-aside in every residential subdivision application. (p.3-8) This was approved by the PZC several years ago, and Commissioner Sylverster sat on that board and voted to approve that plan. The OSPlan is a supplement to build upon, reinforce and does not change those previously stated, accepted, and adopted principles of the PZC.++

The remarks met with criticism from Conservation Commission Chairman Tom Harbinson, who attended the meeting. "I am a little disappointed that after two months some members of the commission haven’t read it,” said Harbinson, looking at Sylvester. “I just received it. I think that is very unfair,” Sylvester replied. “At the last meeting I asked for a copy. When I got it, I gave it over to someone else, trying to do the right thing. ... This ... it’s ridiculous to argue this.”

++ I'm upset by 1) The facts mentioned in the earlier paragraph that there is an already adopted and accepted goal by the PoC&D which the OSPlan is seeking to reinforce, all of which a long time Commissioner such as Mr. Sylvester should be intimately aware of. 2) The OSPlan was provided to the public via the City website during August of 2008. It was formally forwarded to the PZC on Sep17 so that there would be ample time given to review it, publicity was generated for the plan via a CtPost article on Sep19, a CtPost letter to the editor on Sep21, a prominent link on the front page of the City website on Sep22, a 8-24 referral to the BOA on Oct29, all of which was promotion for comment toward a public hearing held on Nov25 to hear comments for the record. During that Nov25 meeting the public hearing was closed, and the PZC had some discussion which led to having the matter tabled to this mtg 2 weeks later on Dec9. Mr. Sylvester is retired, has had several months to review the plan, and has the audacity to say "he just received it" and I'm being "unfair". The record speaks for itself, and it is ridiculous for him to argue with the record of facts. The public record should be more open and transparent about the record of fact, and my comments were accomplishing that - which is what I suspect was the root to what upset Commissioner Sylvester. ++

The update will allow the Conservation Commission to apply for grants to purchase more open land.

++ The CC has no active land acquisition grants, but there are other grants such as trails enhancement grants from the DEP and others, where the OSPlan is a reference document. Updating the OSPlan from a 1990's document is important to be successful on such applications. ++

Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman Anthony Pagota favored a sit-down with the Conservation Commission, to go over points of the draft plan and “see where they are coming from. What their definition is and what our definition is may be a little different.”

The commission voted to table the matter until its Jan. 13 meeting. In the meantime, the document is expected to be reviewed by the panel.

++ The CC is always available to dialogue with other agencies of the City of Shelton (as well as other communities) regarding our thoughts on Open Space conservation and preservation. Improving communication can only be positive. I'm disappointed with myself in how I presented my opinions at the PZC mtg of Dec9. I could and should have been more diplomatic in tone, but I do stand behind the content of what the CC is attempting to achieve. It is simply the reinforcement and support of planning documents the PZC has already accepted, reviewed and adopted. ++