Master Plan for Preservation and Scenic Conservation (1995)

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1 3.2 Master Plan for Preservation and Scenic Conservation (1995) The Master Plan for Preservation and Scenic Conservation was developed under the direction of the Guilford Preservation Alliance in the 1980s and revised in While the plan included a review of the Comprehensive Plan of Development and Conservation (1978) and Open Space Plan (1984) existing at the time, it also set the framework for many of the plans and documents described below. With regard to the coastal management area, the Master Plan for Preservation and Scenic Conservation called for purchase of tidal marshes north of the marina, portions of the East and West River estuaries, and portions of Joshua Cove. The "seashore" was described as the third most-threatened scenic resource, after farmland and forests. The West River estuary is lined with tidal marshes and rocky shorefronts Plan of Conservation and Development (2002) The Plan of Conservation and Development was updated in 2002 with contributions from local Boards and Commissions, private citizens, and citizen groups. The purpose of the plan is to balance growth with maintaining the quality of life that citizens within the Town embrace. With respect to land within the coastal boundary, the plan discusses the value of shorefront property, enhancement of a water-dependent economy, coastal resources value, and protection of Long Island Sound. In particular, the plan notes the presence of the municipal coastal program, and explains that it sets forth plans and procedures that are reflected in the zoning regulations, for protecting coastal resources and promoting coastal access under the aegis of the CGS 22a-105 through 22a-109. Likewise, the plan introduces the concept for revision to the coastal program and calls for its update. Plan recommendations include: Review and amend the zoning code for the town harbor area to encourage waterdependent uses such as fishing, boating, and boat building while promoting nonmarine uses. Review Guilford's municipal coastal program plan and the current Coastal Site Plan Regulations with the State of Connecticut Office of Long Island Sound Programs. 3-1

2 Update the plan and the regulations to conform with current standards to protect Long Island Sound to the maximum extend possible. Transportation Plan (2003) The Transportation Plan prepared by the Transportation Planning Committee is a review of existing transportation conditions and a proposal of long term solutions to issues and/or problems identified by the Committee. To the knowledge of the Committee, it was the first study to cover the various modes of transportation across the entire Town. The plan takes into account the ongoing growth and builds on various recommendations made in the 2002 Plan of Conservation and Development. Recommendations that are potentially related to coastal area management include: 1.16 The Board of Selectmen should explore opportunities for creating a satellite public works facility north of I-95. Such a site should be large enough to absorb the entire public works facility as a future contingency [The Board of Selectmen should consider the following opportunities for east-west road connections.] Connector road between Podunk Road and Goose Lane The Board of Selectmen and Board of Police Commissioners should explore the feasibility of designating a bike route to the Railroad Station and the Harbor The Town Engineer should research the Town's abandoned Trolley ways to determine the status of their ownership and their appropriateness to be used in whole or in part in the furtherance of community pathway systems. 6.2 The Panning and Zoning Commission should consider the formulation of a planning area which encourages development of a village-like community. This village area should be defined as the area south of the intersection of Route 77 and Saw Mill Road to the Harbor; from the intersection of Route 1 and Tanner Marsh Road on the east; and Route 1 and Joan Drive on the west The Panning and Zoning Commission should initiate a review of zoning of properties in the area of the rail station for appropriate expansion to mixed use 3-2

3 commercial and residential, and reduced emphasis on industrial, with specific limitation of industrial uses which would generate heavy truck traffic into the area. While some of these recommendations are not considered appropriate from the perspective of coastal area management, such as (constructing a new connector road in the East River area), recommendations 1.16, 5.14, 5.15, 6.2, and are relevant and consistent with the recommendations of this coastal program. Growth Management Plan (2004) The Guilford Railroad Station could spur mixed-use development The Growth Management Strategies plan was developed to address recommendations from the Plan of Conservation and Development. The Planning and Zoning Commission formed the Planning Committee, a group of Guilford residents and Commission members to respond to the 2002 document. The Committee both considered and incorporated, wherever appropriate, intentions within the Town's PC&D, the Transportation Plan (2003), the Economic Development Strategic Plan (2004), and the draft Natural Resource Inventory and Assessment (2005; described below). In doing so, the report seeks to identify options that the Town can improve upon in order to promote sensible growth that improve the environment, the quality of life, and community character. The plan outlines growth and its impact on the management of coastal resources and issues ranging from public access to flood hazards to coastal water quality within the CAM boundary. In particular, the plan notes the following: With the passage of time since the adoption of the municipal coastal program, increased recognition of the value of coastal resources and the changing nature of development activities, it is time for Guilford to update the municipal coastal program and coastal site plan review regulations in order to ensure that appropriate programs and procedures are in place to address important coastal issues such as public access, water dependent uses, coastal water quality, flood and erosion hazards, land use and development, tidal wetlands, and wildlife habitat. Natural Resources Inventory and Assessment (2005) 3-3

4 Produced by the Natural Resource Inventory Committee, the Natural Resources Inventory and Assessment establishes an information baseline toward enhancing the Town's ability to formulate sound land use decisions in regards to development, conservation, and natural resource management issues. In doing so, the report describes the natural resources within the Town, both qualitatively and quantitatively, to the extent possible with the resources available. The document locates resources geographically, describes their importance to the community, lists any threats and describes various approaches to protect these resources. The Committee itself consisted of members of the Conservation Commission and various volunteers representing the Town's interest in the document. The plan identifies land available for public use and enjoyment and habitat for species diversity within the coastal boundary. As such, it: Tabulates basic coastal data such as lengths and areas of shoreline and related open space; Maps shellfishing areas; Lists scenic views from public vantage points (ten of 22 are in the coastal management area); Lists areas of conservation interest (five of 20 are in the coastal management area); Lists "favorite places" (eight of 17 are in the coastal area); and Lists tabulates recreational facilities on municipal land (at least seven are in the coastal area). Harbor Management Plan (2006) 3-4

5 The Harbor Management Plan was developed as enabled by Connecticut General Statutes 22a-113m, and is the Harbor Management Commission's summary of issues and recommendations to the increasing and competing demands for the use and development of Guilford Harbor and the associated shoreline. The plan identifies six types of goals for the entire Town shoreline to focus its resources upon in attempt to effectively manage the future of the harbor's landscape, including shoreline erosion, harbor and shoreline usage growth, speed limits, shellfisheries, moorings, and increased public access. Various recommendations are presented for addressing erosion, increasing public access, managing docks, and managing navigation. Of all the plans described in this section, the Harbor Management Plan dovetails most effectively with the updated municipal coastal program, addressing the "water side" of the issues pertinent to the land in the coastal management area. A view of Guilford Harbor Land Acquisition Commission Report (2007) The Plan For Open Space And Municipal Land Needs, developed by the Land Acquisition Commission in consultation with numerous residents of the Town of Guilford, is intended to assist the Planning and Zoning Commission with future planning goals. Additionally, the report seeks to assist the Town in identifying suitable properties for acquisition if and when those properties are put up for sale. The plan lists a number of strategies for open space conservation that are potentially applicable to the coastal management area. Town Center South Plan (2007) 3-5

6 Developed by the Town Center South Planning Committee, the Town Center South Plan seeks to create a mixed-use, transit-oriented, higher density neighborhood with the train station as its focal point. Most of this neighborhood lies within the coastal management area. The draft plan seeks to effectively enhance, preserve, protect and maintain the cultural and environmental aspects which the neighborhood currently holds. The use of public transit is both promoted and encouraged by the Committee as a means of effectively balancing all public issues at hand. With respect to the coastal area, the draft plan intends to improve the access of the public to shorefront properties and recommends sound environmental development and re-development along the coast. One of the cited impediments to the draft Town Center South area's advancement is "outdated" zoning that allows continued industrial uses. This is a theme of the subject coastal program. The draft plan also recognizes sea level rise and recommends deeper wetland and shoreline setbacks, adherence to environmentally sensitive building codes, reduction in impervious surfaces, elimination of industrial activities in the area, and allowance for coastal flooding. The draft plan recommends that new development and redevelopment be built at least one foot above FEMA flood elevations (except in the V zone, where it would be two feet), and that floodplain protection be included in the subject coastal program. The fairgrounds is located within the area known as Town Center South Relocation of the public works facility is another important theme of the draft plan. While the draft plan recognizes that the location of this facility in a flood zone is problematic, its recommendation for mixed-use development in its place should be evaluated against the recommendations of this document. The Town Center South Plan was approved by the Planning & Zoning Commission in It is anticipated that the Town Center South Plan will be adopted subsequent to the municipal coastal program. 3-6