Date: Sat 14-Nov-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

P&Z-Paisley-Osborne

Full Text:

A Changing Of The Guard At P&Z

BY ANDREW GOROSKO

A changing of the guard on the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) came

quickly November 6.

Although those people who won four-year regular memberships and two-year

alternate memberships in the November 4 general elections will start their P&Z

terms December 1, under the provisions of applicable law, people elected to

fill two-year regular memberships become P&Z members as soon as they can be

sworn into office after the election.

That meant that Republican Thomas Paisley, who had run for election to a

two-year regular P&Z membership but lost to Democrat Michael Osborne, was no

longer a P&Z member. Mr Paisley attracted 2,260 votes to Mr Osborne's 2,800

votes -- a 540 vote plurality.

At the November 6 session, Mr Paisley sat in the audience and observed the

meeting while Mr Osborne sat at the meeting table as a P&Z member.

When it was time to vote on Newtown Village, a controversial proposal to build

96 houses in Sandy Hook, Mr Paisley, who had attended many P&Z meetings on the

topic to familiarize himself with the specifics of the plan, was ineligible to

vote on the development project.

Because Mr Osborne had not served as a P&Z member until November 6, he was not

eligible to vote on the proposal either.

P&Z members voting on the project unanimously rejected it. The developers are

expected to file a legal appeal.

Following the Newtown Village vote, Mr Paisley presented the P&Z with a plaque

in honor of a recently completed planning study on the economic development of

Hawleyville through 2017.

The Connecticut Chapter of the American Planning Association issued its 1997

Special Chapter Award to the advisory committee which oversaw the I-84 Exit 9

Transportation and Development Study. The award recognizes the committee's

work in directing the planning process which resulted in an innovative

development plan for a growth area.

The market-based study integrated developmental and transportation issues for

Hawleyville. The plan seeks to clarify potential future uses for a 1,200-acre

section of Hawleyville whose future has been unclear for more than 20 years.

The study performed for the Housatonic Valley Council of Elected Officials is

slated for review by the P&Z and possible inclusion in the town's plan of

development, which Mr Paisley recommended. Mr Paisley told P&Z members he was

fortunate to have served on the steering committee which guided the economic

development study.

Having received the plaque from the planning association, Mr Paisley presented

it to the P&Z.

P&Z Chairman Stephen Koch thanked Mr Paisley for his work during the past

several years as a P&Z member. Mr Paisley, who served as the P&Z's vice

chairman, functioned as the panel's acting chairman when Mr Koch was away on

business.

Mr Paisley joined the P&Z in July 1995.