Simsbury, CT - Economic Development Commission Minutes 05/08/2008

The regular meeting of the Economic Development Commission was called to order at 7:34 AM in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. Chairman Thomas Frank and Commission members Mark Deming, Nancy Haase, Derek Peterson, Alan Levesque, Alan Needham, Lou George and Kevin Crimmins were present. Also in attendance were Alison Sturgeon, Commission Clerk, as well as other interested parties.

Chairman Frank stated that there have been some developments since the special meeting that was held on April 17, 2008. He stated that Mr. Greenburg, a landowner in Town, attended a recent Zoning Commission meeting and stated his strong support for a Charrette process for all three areas in Simsbury. Also, the correspondence from Ensign-Bickford, who is a major property owner in Town, indicated under certain conditions, that they would also support the Charrette process if the Charrette was more broadly defined. He stated that the Main Street Partnership is also in support of the Charrette process. He stated that they now have some reports from landowners that they did not have at their special meeting, which indicate some degree of support for the Charrette process.

Dave Correia from Main Street Partnership presented their views to the Commission. He talked about why Simsbury's downtown is so important. He stated that the downtown represents a huge public and private investment. A healthy downtown protects property values and surrounding residential neighborhoods. He stated that the Main Street Partnership would support the Charrette process in all three areas, although their emphasis is on the downtown.

Mr. Peck discussed the schedule and plan regarding the Charrette process. He stated that at a recent Zoning Commission meeting, the Commission voted unanimously to support this schedule and plan. Mr. Peck stated that it is key to this process that a number of the landowners have spoken out. He discussed the 1998 Charrette in the downtown area but stated that the next steps were never taken in that process. The next step is a Regulation. Because of the current economic situation, there is time.

Mr. Peck stated that he is hopeful that at their next meeting, the Board of Selectmen will support this process. He stated that in May, they would put together an RFQ/RFP for qualified firms to submit an application to do the work. The RFQ/RFP would come back in June and the Charrette process would start in mid to late September. He stated that there are a variety of disciplines that are involved in this process. It will include traffic people, transportation engineers, economic consultants and people with specific expertise with regard to design. Mr. Peck stated that Regulations, a specific plan and specific component to the Zoning Regulations will come out of the Charrette process. He feels that this process can be completed by the end of 2008.

Mr. Peck discussed the cost of this process with the Commission. The cost for the three area Charrette would be approximately $375,000. Although this is very expensive, the final product that Simsbury will receive will be worth it. There are other professionals that will be needed, which will be approximately $80,000 and approximately 200 hours of special counsel.

In response to a question by Commissioner Needham regarding the funding, Mr. Peck stated that they have been looking for grant money, although during this funding cycle, they are funding projects in all New England states except Connecticut. He stated that they are still pursuing available grant money. He stated that there are many residents that are in support of the Charrette process and donations would be helpful.

Commissioner Crimmins stated that Ensign-Bickford has indicated their willingness to participate under certain conditions. He questioned if their property would be included in the Charrette. Mr. Peck stated that the three areas in Town still need to be defined better. The process would include EB for the center area.

Commissioner George questioned what would happen until the end of 2008 in the interim for other projects that might come forward. Mr. Peck stated that any applications that might come in would still be under the current Regulations. Projects will not be held up because of this process.

Chairman Frank stated that the EDC should feel good about the due diligence it has done on the subject of the Charrette. He suggested that this Commission proceed to craft a motion that would express the feelings of the EDC to provide guidance or advice to the Board of Selectmen.

Commissioner Needham made a motion that the Economic Development Commission supports the Charrette plan and schedule as proposed by Hiram Peck. The EDC also urges the Board of Selectmen to investigate funding the Charrette as soon as possible. Commissioner Minor seconded the motion.

Commissioner George stated that although he feels that the Charrette process is something good for Simsbury, he feels that it should be more focused. He also feels that it will not be completed in such a short time. He stated that if the Town undergoes a Charrette, he feels that there should be one focused area to see if it can get done instead of taking on the whole Town. Also, he does not feel that a Charrette needs to be done in the Town Center.

Commissioner Minor stated that Simsbury has been stuck for a long time. He stated that they can continue down this same road, or they can have the Charrette process, which will enhance economic development. Even if the process is more expensive than expected, it is an investment that Simsbury will get a return on. He feels that all three areas need to be included because of the traffic issues.

Commissioner Needham stated that he respects the advice of the Town Planner, who has assured the EDC that it will be done in a timely manner. He feels that all three areas should be done because: this will coordinate the whole Route 10 corridor; there will be a cost savings to doing all three sites at once; and this will be the fastest way to get everything done.

Commissioner Deming stated that although this is an expensive process, the timeframe and the end product is new Zoning Regulations. He stated that he would support what the Town Planner is proposing is the best for Simsbury.

Commissioner Haase stated that she is still concerned about the funding for the Charrette. She stated that, for her, it is the perception of where Simsbury is as a community outwards into the development community. She also stated that the Main Street Partnership has not been in total support of this process until the electronic vote. Commissioner Haase stated that she is concerned with the timing of the process.

Commissioner Crimmins stated that that this process is about the return on the investment more than the investment itself. He feels that those who will be receiving the benefits of the Charrette should also share in the cost. He does not feel that the duration of the Charrette process should be an issue; any approach will be time consuming. He stated that he would be in support of the Charrette process.

Commissioners Crimmins, Haase, Needham, Deming, Levesque and Frank were in favor of the motion made by Commissioner Needham. Commissioners Peterson and George were opposed to the motion. The motion passed.

Possible Town Purchase of Airport - Chairman Frank stated that this has some economic development relevance. He stated that there was a meeting on April 15 with the consultants and Town officials and members of an oversight committee. Chairman Frank gave the Commission an overview of the meeting. He stated that if the airport becomes a high traffic airport, the runway would need to be longer to accommodate high performance aircraft (approximately 3,200 - 3,500 feet). The most feasible method for extending the runway is to extend it to the south. Also there needs to be more detail provided regarding evaluating the alternatives to manage the airport. Lastly, more information needs to be provided regarding the economic development potential for the airport.

Mr. Peck stated that there are several options regarding extending the runway. They are considering extending it northward, although there are complications to that. There are just as many complications regarding extending it to the south.

Legal Resources for Land Use Boards - Ms. Glassman stated that the Board of Selectmen felt strongly that they would like to expedite the decision of the south end application. They have a cap with their legal counsel and felt that it would be prudent for the Town to use the cap to get the project done.

New Dorset Crossing Application - Mr. Peck stated that the property owner has submitted a conceptual plan for this development. Although this Commission heard a presentation regarding Dorset Crossing in June of last year, several things have changed. There will be a presentation made to the EDC within the next several months regarding this project.

Developer Friendly Web Site - Commissioner Crimmins stated that they had a meeting with Virtual Town Hall. There is a lot that they can do with the content and the presentation of that content on the website, although it will take some coordination. He stated that he saw the evolutionary process, which has been modified. He feels that it is time for an overhaul. He also stated that someone will be looking into alternate sources for hosting the website.

Iron Horse Boulevard Next Steps - Commissioner George stated that Mr. Sawitzke is currently setting up a meeting with the Parks and Recreation Department so they can get involved. He stated that he has talked to John Deliso regarding adding more fields for lacrosse, which would work in conjunction with the downtown area.

Mr. Deliso stated that the sport of lacrosse is growing and they need more fields in the downtown area. He stated that these games will bring approximately 1000 people per week to where they are playing. He stated that because the land at Iron Horse is so sensitive, it would probably only be able to be used for low impact use, which would lend itself to sports or open space. Because this area has been fields in the past, and since there are currently proposals for additional fields, he feels that this would be the best use of this property. He stated that this would bring a lot of people to the downtown area.

Metro Hartford Alliance Consulting Arrangement - Chairman Frank stated that MHA is concerned that they have not received sufficient direction from this Commission on what they should do for their monthly consultant fees. He stated that they have suspended their monthly payments to the MHA. They have made an informal agreement to suspend the payments until such time as the EDC can provide a process by which direction will be given on a monthly basis to the MHA as to what they should be doing for the money. At that point, the EDC would restart their payments to the MHA. This will be put on the next agenda for discussion at their next meeting.

Chairman Frank stated that there was a suggestion by Commissioner Needham to establish liaisons with Land Use Boards and Commissions. Commissioner Needham stated that there has been a lot of cooperation between the Boards and Commissions and he feels that the EDC should designate liaisons to several Boards, including the Planning Commission, Design Review, Zoning Commission and possibly Board of Selectmen. He stated that he would like EDC members to volunteer to go to some of the meetings and report back to the EDC. He stated that he would get a schedule of each of these Boards so members can volunteer for what they have time for.

Mr. Correia stated that the Talcott Mountain Music Festival begins at the end of June. He also stated that they will be having a Bridal Review and open house on June 1 at the Review View. There will be many displays and will be open to the public at no cost. If this is a successful event, they would like to make this an annual event. Mr. Correia stated that the Simsbury Chamber Music Festival which will occur every Tuesday for the month of May at Eno Hall. After the performance, there is a meet and greet at The Maple Tree. This is a great event and encourages dining out.

Nancy Anstey, FVVA, discussed the Film Industry and the Farmington Valley Film Production Guide that they are creating. She stated that the location gallery is almost completed. They will now begin working on a service list, which is a very important step in the process. She stated that the last part of the process is getting all seven Towns involved. Ms. Anstey stated that they are also working on creating one uniformed permit for all Towns involved. She stated that the permit is crucial.

Commissioner George stated that the one hurdle regarding the film industry in the Farmington Valley is that the industry needs unionized extras, which mostly come from the New York area. Ms. Anstey is working on this issue.