A DISCUSSION WITH JIM VENTRES, Land Use Administrator of East Haddam
by Shiloh Dodge
Question: Why did you decide to go into planning?
Answer: I actually didn't plan to go into town planning, my background is in wildlife and fisheries. For years I was watching staff turnover constantly nobody wanted to stay involved. My background in the environment ties into East Haddam very well, though, being such a rural area.
Question: The recreation section of the plan says that the survey of scenic views and vistas needs to be updated and could be put into a guide book- do you think that this will promote tourism in East Haddam?
Answer: Absolutely- we have sort of a "Where's Waldo" effect in town. We might do a letter boxing things where you have a list and check off the things you have seen. There are 77 scenic views and pictures and they need to go into a format on the web. The problem is of those 77 views, how many are left? We need to find out what resources we still have and what we have lost.
Questions: Is the East Haddam Walking Trails booklet aimed towards residents, visitors, or both?
Answer: It is geared more towards tourists because there is a lot to do here and they could make a good weekend out if it if they know about it. It is not online but hopefully will be by next fall. It is currently only available in the Town Clerk's office.
Question: The plan mentions the possibility of a Farm Market for local farmers- has this idea been explored and is it a possibility?
Answer: We dabbled with it and there is a small market sometimes at the library but it isn't really the farmers. What really needs to happen is a boardwalk by the Goodspeed parking lot and farmers could sell there. The agriculture is growing- there are farmers in town trying to crops and growing grapes for wine, but there is just no local place for them to sell.
5/10/10
Who Reads the Comprehensive Plan?
by Michael D'Amato
Comprehensive plans are read by many people including developers, citizens, and commission members. A citizen might read the plan to see where the town looks to go in the future. This is important if they are looking at a piece of property with a large vacant parcel nearby. It can also be important to examine a town’s policy for conserving it’s natural features and water resources.
In the case of a developer, showing that their project is in keeping with the plan (POCD) will increase the likelihood of approval.
The commission members of the town-- Planning and Zoning (P&Z) , Zoning Board of Appeals, Water Control Commission and the Town Council are just a few groups that need to be especially well acquainted with content of this document. When the Planning and Zoning Commission receives an application for development they are going to want to reference this to see if it parallels the plan and what they want to ultimately achieve. The P&Z should only make decisions based on this plan and what is best for the town. Escaping the impression that it is their own personal preference in the decision making process, the plan allows them to have ground to stand on with their decision.
Comprehensive plans are read by many people including developers, citizens, and commission members. A citizen might read the plan to see where the town looks to go in the future. This is important if they are looking at a piece of property with a large vacant parcel nearby. It can also be important to examine a town’s policy for conserving it’s natural features and water resources.
In the case of a developer, showing that their project is in keeping with the plan (POCD) will increase the likelihood of approval.
The commission members of the town-- Planning and Zoning (P&Z) , Zoning Board of Appeals, Water Control Commission and the Town Council are just a few groups that need to be especially well acquainted with content of this document. When the Planning and Zoning Commission receives an application for development they are going to want to reference this to see if it parallels the plan and what they want to ultimately achieve. The P&Z should only make decisions based on this plan and what is best for the town. Escaping the impression that it is their own personal preference in the decision making process, the plan allows them to have ground to stand on with their decision.
5/9/10
What is a Town Comprehensive Plan?
by Jacqueline Rubin Kelly
A comprehensive plan goes by many different names. In Connecticut, it is called a “Plan of Conservation and Development.” The idea behind the Plan of Conservation and Development (PoCD) is a simple one; A PoCD is a tangible representation of what a community wants to be in the future. The PoCD allows members of village, town, or city to have an active role in how their community will progress into the coming years.
In the state of Connecticut the acceptance of a PoCD entitles that town to the distribution of state funding. For the plan to be adopted, the state has specific rules and regulations on what the PoCD needs to contain. Below is a short list of topics that must be included within the chapters of a Plan of Conservation and Development according to Connecticut State Statutes:
• A statement of policies, goals and standards for the physical and economic development of the municipality
• Transportation – parkways, bridges, streets, sidewalks, etc
• Housing – zoning, affordable housing options
• Land use – development (residential, recreational, commercial, industrial)
• Conservation – land, cultural/historical elements
For the full list of state regulations on adopting or amending a PoCD, visit the link below:
http://www.cga.ct.gov/2005/act/Pa/2005PA-00205-R00HB-06570-PA.htm
So, how does a Plan of Conservation and Development affect you and your community? Each plan is different and is supposed to represent the voices of the townspeople. The members of the community can attend their town meetings to give their opinions on zoning laws, lands they want to protect, or even building a new park with a playground for the children of the community. The committee that oversees the plan takes all requests from the community into consideration when writing and approving their PoCD.
To find out about town meetings and to become involved in the future of your community, visit your town website or call your town hall.
A comprehensive plan goes by many different names. In Connecticut, it is called a “Plan of Conservation and Development.” The idea behind the Plan of Conservation and Development (PoCD) is a simple one; A PoCD is a tangible representation of what a community wants to be in the future. The PoCD allows members of village, town, or city to have an active role in how their community will progress into the coming years.
In the state of Connecticut the acceptance of a PoCD entitles that town to the distribution of state funding. For the plan to be adopted, the state has specific rules and regulations on what the PoCD needs to contain. Below is a short list of topics that must be included within the chapters of a Plan of Conservation and Development according to Connecticut State Statutes:
• A statement of policies, goals and standards for the physical and economic development of the municipality
• Transportation – parkways, bridges, streets, sidewalks, etc
• Housing – zoning, affordable housing options
• Land use – development (residential, recreational, commercial, industrial)
• Conservation – land, cultural/historical elements
For the full list of state regulations on adopting or amending a PoCD, visit the link below:
http://www.cga.ct.gov/2005/act/Pa/2005PA-00205-R00HB-06570-PA.htm
So, how does a Plan of Conservation and Development affect you and your community? Each plan is different and is supposed to represent the voices of the townspeople. The members of the community can attend their town meetings to give their opinions on zoning laws, lands they want to protect, or even building a new park with a playground for the children of the community. The committee that oversees the plan takes all requests from the community into consideration when writing and approving their PoCD.
To find out about town meetings and to become involved in the future of your community, visit your town website or call your town hall.
What is a Town Comprehensive Plan?
by David Marella
A Comprehensive Plan, or a Plan of Conservation and Development (PoCD) as known in the state of Connecticut, is an attempt set by commission members to plan out goals and objectives for a town for the future growth potential of that community. A comprehensive plan is the final documentation for what the overall product will be turned out after it is implemented. The document is official in nature and should be used as a policy guide for direction the community in the right direction.
There are six key principles that should follow a Comprehensive Plan, according to William I. Goodman, a well-known author on Comprehensive Planning. The concept of the Comprehensive Plan is that it is an instrument used by leaders in the community to help establish policies and make decisions regarding their physical environment. The six key principles are:
1.The plan should be comprehensive
2.The plan should be long-range.
3.The plan should be general.
4.The plan should focus on physical development.
5.The plan should relate to physical design proposals to community goals and social and economic policies.
6.The plan should first be a policy instrument, and second a technical instrument
A Comprehensive Plan, or a Plan of Conservation and Development (PoCD) as known in the state of Connecticut, is an attempt set by commission members to plan out goals and objectives for a town for the future growth potential of that community. A comprehensive plan is the final documentation for what the overall product will be turned out after it is implemented. The document is official in nature and should be used as a policy guide for direction the community in the right direction.
There are six key principles that should follow a Comprehensive Plan, according to William I. Goodman, a well-known author on Comprehensive Planning. The concept of the Comprehensive Plan is that it is an instrument used by leaders in the community to help establish policies and make decisions regarding their physical environment. The six key principles are:
1.The plan should be comprehensive
2.The plan should be long-range.
3.The plan should be general.
4.The plan should focus on physical development.
5.The plan should relate to physical design proposals to community goals and social and economic policies.
6.The plan should first be a policy instrument, and second a technical instrument
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