The Town Plan and Zoning Commission has begun the arduous process of updating the town Plan of Conservation and Development. The members want to hear from town residents what is important to them.{{more}}
The last Plan was done in 2000 and the state legislature gave towns and cities an extension to July 2015 to complete the next one. If not completed by then municipalities will not qualify for discretionary funds, said Planimetrics Glenn Chalder.
The commission has hired Planimetrics to guide them through the process and paying the company $75,000 which includes all of Chalder’s time, engineering and GIS mapping.
According to esri.com, a Geographic Information System integrates hardware, software, and data for capturing, managing, analyzing, and displaying all forms of geographically referenced information. It will help the commission answer questions and solve problems by looking at data in a way that is quickly understood and easily shared.
Chalder said to help set priorities for the next 10 years, they are reaching out to residents and have scheduled a special town-wide meeting on Tuesday, Feb 25, 7 to 9 p.m. at High Plains Community Center in the gymnasium.
“This will not be your typical meeting. We want to gain your input. Residents will really have a chance to participate,” Chalder said.
He said the meeting will be interactive and will include some “fun exercises designed to learn what the public cares about.”
He said the commission has already raised some key issues such as maintaining residential character and keeping the rural flavor of the Rt. 34 corridor.
The Rt 1 corridor has also been mentioned along with the need to find a way to better manage traffic in town.
“For many, their home is the largest financial investment – how can we make sure you are happy with your choice,” Chalder said.
“I hope people get excited and show up and help plan for their future,” Chalder added.
By fall residents can expect a preliminary document to be assembled. Every month the zoning meeting will be discussing the Plan.