P&Z Shouldn’t Be Split,

Charter Panel Concludes

By Steve Bigham

The Charter Revision Commission last week concluded that it would not recommend splitting the Planning & Zoning (P&Z) Commission into two boards. The decision was based upon comments made by current members of the P&Z who felt splitting the board would only lead to inter-town strife and poor communication.

“We listened to what the members of the P&Z Commission had to say and decided there was not an overriding reason to consider splitting the board,” explained Charter Revision Chairman Bill Sheluck. “The conclusion we came to was that some of the dissatisfaction with the P&Z may be a result of the increased activity related to new home construction and not to the fact that there was something inherently wrong with the way it was structured.”

There have been concerns that the P&Z may be too entrenched in zoning to concern itself with planning. Furthermore, some fear the P&Z has been overworked as meetings often run until very late, creating a backlog in the processing of applications. Member James Boylan disagrees, adding that the number of large tracts of land to come before the P&Z will decline. He believes the creation of two commissions would cause delays and increased costs.

P&Z member Richard Jablonski said separating the P&Z would create a bureaucratic logjam and would result in lawsuits.

And, as Mr Sheluck points out, the Charter Revision Commission is looking to the first selectman to provide a long-term strategic plan which would help drive the overall planning process.

“We thought that would provide the impetus for a more aggressive planning process in town,” he explained.

P&Z members said the town’s Plan of Development would be part of the first selectman’s long-range plan for the town.

P&Z members said recent examples of planning include the Hawleyville study, Fairfield Hills rezoning, the aquifer protection plan, and the Sandy Hook design district.

“Planning is longer term and is of a bigger scope and zoning is site or development specific,” said Mr Boylan, adding that many amendments to zoning regulations have planning aspects. Planning also includes affordable housing and open space matters as well as driveway regulations.

Every meeting is 75 percent planning, Mr Fogliano said, adding that Fairfield Hills is an example of where P&Z needs to work hand in glove.