PZC to Form Taskforce for Plan of Conservation and Development

The Planning and Zoning Commission approved a proposal to start a taskforce to help develop the plan of conservation and development in 3-2 vote at the special meeting Wednesday night.

The plan is a guide to help determine the future framework of the town in regard to conservation and development rules and regulations.

Commissioner Henry Vasel proposed a motion that the commission not begin any “formal process” on the plan of conservation and development until July 1, 2012 or until funding is available. However, the commission can gather data and appoint a taskforce, right now. The commission cannot interview any consultants at this time.

Republicans Vassel and Victor Zarrilli along with Democrat Ronald Angelo Sr. approved the motion with Chairman Anthony DiLorenzo and Vice-Chairman Barry Goldberg voting against it.

At the Sept. 7 planning and zoning meeting, commissioners will discuss the act of forming a taskforce along with its responsibilities and the disciplines of its members. DiLorenzo stated that he wanted members of the public to be on the taskforce along with members of various town boards and commissions.

The Planning and Zoning Commission has to develop a plan of conservation and development by July 1, 2014. The completed plan would then be submitted to the state. However, DiLorenzo warned commission members that the previous plan of conservation and development took a year and half to complete.

Vasel said the plan of conservation and development only “needs some fine tuning” and should be completed quicker than the previous plan.

“It does not need to be rewritten,” Vasel added. “We can all start working on this on our own.” 

In a memo from Town Manager Barbara Gilbert, she said the “extended deadline allows the town the opportunity to fund” the plan of conservation and development in the 2012-2013 budget. The town could help budget for a consultant who would assist the commission and taskforce complete the revisions to the plan of conservation and development.

Funding would have to be secured before the commission could hire a consultant.  DiLorenzo stated it costed the town about $100,000 to pay the firm for the last plan of conversation and development. 

Gilbert, who has no jurisdiction over the commission, advised them to “take advantage of this extended deadline” and wait until funding was secured.

Goldberg felt the regulations were old and needed to be “brought up to present levels.”

“First, we need to bring ourselves into the present day reality,” he said.