Date: Fri 29-Jan-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

P&Z-aquifer-scenic-views

Full Text:

P&Z Hearings Set On Aquifer Protection And Scenic Views

BY ANDREW GOROSKO

The Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) has scheduled two public hearings for

Thursday, February 4 -- one on proposed aquifer protection regulations and the

other on preserving the scenic views of Newtown.

The hearing on aquifer protection regulations is scheduled to start at 8 pm at

the town land use office in Canaan House at Fairfield Hills. The hearing on

preserving scenic views will follow.

A P&Z business meeting is slated to begin at 7:30 pm.

The P&Z is considering revisions to its aquifer protection regulations, which

would greatly expand and more explicitly state the rules P&Z now uses to

safeguard the quality of existing and potential underground drinking water

supplies.

The proposed revisions also call for a cooperative relationship between the

Conservation Commission and P&Z under which both agencies would review

development proposed for aquifer protection areas.

Conservation Commission opposition to a given development proposal would mean

that a 4-to-1 majority of the P&Z, not a simple 3-to-2 majority, would be

necessary for P&Z approval of a project within the designated aquifer

protection zone.

The intent of the proposed rules is to promote the community's health and

general welfare by preventing the contamination of groundwater. Such

groundwater protection is intended to ensure a safe and healthy supply of

drinking water.

The proposed regulations would foster a clean water supply by prohibiting uses

that can contaminate groundwater, and by regulating other land uses that can

potentially contaminate or downgrade existing and potential groundwater

supplies.

The proposed rules apply to "stratified drift" aquifers, or those such as the

Pootatuck Aquifer, in which underground water supplies are contained within

layered bands of sand, gravel and boulders.

The aquifer regulations would be "overlay" regulations. The aquifer

regulations would be enforced in addition to existing zoning regulations which

already apply to the aquifer protection district, such as Residential or

Business zoning regulations.

A subcommittee of P&Z and Conservation Commission representatives formulated

the P&Z's proposed aquifer protection rules.

Scenic Views

The P&Z has formulated an inventory of 17 local views deemed worthy of

preservation during a time of continuing rapid development.

The town's 1993 Town Plan of Development and Conservation contains a plan

depicting a proposed open space land network and guide to future open space

acquisitions.

That plan states: "Key vistas in the town should be formally recognized and

designated. Protection of these sites through open space set-asides or

creative site planning can ensure their enjoyment by future generations."

The plan contains a map depicting the location of various scenic views or

vistas which P&Z members want preserved during continuing development

pressure.

P&Z would protect the 17 views by inserting locational information on them in

the 1993 Town Plan of Development and Conservation. The plan is an advisory

document used by P&Z in making land use decisions.

The public hearing will be based on a recently prepared report detailing the

locations of the scenic views. All views are visible from public places.