“It’s really about the journey, the community — and the land is always changing,” newly appointed Land Use Director Rob Sibley said of his job and his department in an interview following his February 22 promotion. “We’re stewards for a portion of it.”

Sibley started working with the town in 2004 as a conservation official before being named the land use department’s deputy director. Even before that, Sibley served as a volunteer, looking to help steward the town’s environment and development.

With a background in environmental science and communications, Sibley felt he had a role in benefiting Newtown that could “be in lockstep with my personal beliefs.” Sibley served on what was then called the Conservation Commission (now Inland Wetlands), and when the previous conservation official announced their retirement in 2004, he applied and was hired.

“At the time, the town was in transition with residential subdivisions and there was heavy pressure on open space,” said Sibley. Additionally, the town was in the middle of a full update to its Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD), where it was “scrapping the old one and starting new.”

“Not only did I learn from the input of the public on all subjects, I also got to see how the process worked, and how things were adopted into regulations,” said Sibley. “Planning, wetlands, and economic development all have a symbiotic relationship.”

Over time, Sibley said he has gotten to work with “a lot of amazing volunteers on a lot of commissions,” all while working under the “steady hand” of previous Land Use Director George Benson, who retired last December.

“He [Benson] had a vision that was close to mine,” said Sibley. “He had a clear sense of process, responsibility, and a dedication to equitable development. He had a clear understanding of the pressures of environmental degradation that carried through into the design of the current regulations.”

Now, as land use director, Sibley is coming full circle as the town is beginning another POCD update. This will be the third Sibley has worked on during his tenure with the municipality.

“I’ll hear again from the public, and current commissions will interact,” said Sibley. “These are ten-year guidelines for the town; it’s a great opportunity.”

A Century Of Zoning

Sibley said that zoning regulations were first introduced in Newtown 70 years ago, with conservation regulations coming a little before that, and planning regulations coming a little after.

“As we approach a century of zoning we’ll handle how to best work to the benefit of the community,” said Sibley.

He also said he looks at both the historic and the pre-historic in his job, as his mentors Dan Cruson and Joe Barrow had impressed upon him the “historic and pre-historic journey we are on.”

“You see it in the geology and the environment, the human influence,” said Sibley. “I keep that in mind when I work on everything.”

Sibley pointed to Sustainable Connecticut, a flexible funding program to support wide-ranging sustainability initiatives throughout the state, as an example which, “no longer looks at just transportation corridors, but equitable access to food, water, and sewers.”

“We need someone to sit here, put the brakes on, and figure out how things happened and what they mean,” said Sibley. “That’s what I feel my job is.”

Sibley said he is “very pleased” that he has now been “given the latitude and the ability to make and call the shots.”

“I appreciate and am honored by the privilege,” said Sibley. “My preparation of 18 years put me in this position. The seat is comfortable; I don’t think it’s a bad fit. I really look forward to the next decade plus with the town.”

Sibley noted he “wears leadership hats” in other groups such as the Boy Scouts of America and as an assistant chief with Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue.

“In each organization, I hope my input better leads to informed decisions,” said Sibley. “I’m happy to do that here as well.”

First Selectman Dan Rosenthal said that hiring was a competitive process, and that Sibley’s time with the town, and broad knowledge was strongly in his favor.

“When I took a step back, it was clear [Sibley] was the right person to take on the role,” said Rosenthal. “He’s got the history and the relationships with all the bodies that touch land use.”

The first selectman said Sibley’s years of experience serving as a resource to the Conservation, Inland Wetlands, and Planning and Zoning commissions as well as assisting the public with interpreting and enforcing regulations made him a strong candidate to fill this new role.

“The Town is looking forward to Sibley providing leadership in environmental and land use planning strategies as well as providing guidance and support to the land use commissions,” Rosenthal said.

Associate Editor Jim Taylor can be reached at jim@thebee.com.