2010 Plan of Conservation and Development

Transcription

1 2010 Plan of Conservation and Development Wilton Planning and Zoning Commission Adopted November 2, 2009 Effective January 1, 2010

2 WILTON 2010 PLAN OF CONSERVATION & DEVELOPMENT PARTICIPANTS Planning & Zoning Commission Town Staff Robert J. Nerney, AICP, Director of Planning and Land Use Management Daphne A. White, Assistant Town Planner Patricia M. P. Sesto, Director of Environmental Affairs Thomas W. Thurkettle, Director of Public Works John Savarese, Director of Information Systems Planimetrics, Inc. Glenn R. Chalder, AICP Heidi Samokar, AICP Leonard Desson, GISP Special thanks to: The Wilton Conservation Commission, the Wilton Energy Commission, and the Wilton Historical Society, which assisted with writing portions of this Plan; and, Wilton Residents.

3 PLANNING & ZONING DEPARTMENT Telephone (203) Fax (203) TOWN HALL ANNEX 238 Danbury Road Wilton, Connecticut To the Residents of Wilton, This 2009 Plan of Conservation and Development follows several years of study, discussion, and public debate about the character of Wilton, its values, and the interplay of community aspiration and economic development. The Planning and Zoning Commission began with review of the 1996 Plan of Conservation and Development and its 1999 revision. Former Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman Kevin Ward initiated a line by line study of this Plan, evaluating the progress in implementing the Plan during the intervening years, and the need for rethinking Wilton s future in a new plan. The Planning and Zoning Commission sought the ideas and concerns of members of Town boards and commissions. Wilton residents spoke up at public meetings and hearings, and answered questions in a Wiltonwide telephone survey in December All Planning and Zoning Commission meeting minutes, notes and drafts were made available via the internet at thereby allowing residents to follow our progress. This documentation is also available at the Wilton Public Library and the town s Planning and Zoning Department. Selectmen and other Town officials were supportive, especially Environmental Affairs Director Patricia Sesto, Public Works Director Thomas Thurkettle and Information Systems Director John Savarese. The Commission also relied upon the skill of Robert Nerney, Director of Planning and Land Use Management, and his staff. The Plan establishes goals and strategies for guiding the Planning and Zoning Commission and other Town agencies through the coming decade. Our months of work were paralleled by a significant national recession, with local economic shifts which are still in progress; and the rebuilding of Route 7. Their effects will be with us in the decade ahead. The Planning and Zoning Commission has been mindful of these issues in our deliberations. We, as Planning and Zoning Commission members and active Wilton volunteers, believe this Plan of Conservation and Development envisions maintaining Wilton s semi rural character and its quality of life. It encourages a thoughtful and prudent response to challenges Wilton will face in these early years of the twentyfirst century. We affirm, once again, that we will work together to keep our community a fine place to live, raise families and conduct business. Sally Hill Poundstone, Chairwoman Wilton Planning and Zoning Commission

4 Table of Contents INTRODUCTION 1 Overview 1 About Plans of Conservation and Development 2 The Planning Process 4 INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGIES 77 Address Community Facilities Needs 77 Address Transportation Issues 96 Improve the Viability of Walking and Biking 103 CONDITIONS AND TRENDS 5 History of Wilton 5 Regional Roles and Implications 8 People of Wilton 9 Housing in Wilton 11 Wilton s Economy 13 Land Use in Wilton 14 Zoning in Wilton 16 Residential Development Potential 18 Fiscal Conditions 20 COMMUNITY ISSUES 21 Overview 21 Visions and Goals 22 FUTURE LAND USE PLAN 107 Future Land Use Categories 108 Consistency with the State and Regional Plans 110 IMPLEMENTATION 115 Overview 115 Plan Implementation Committee 115 Implementation Tools 116 Implementation Schedule 117 CONCLUSION 131 APPENDICES 133 Appendix A Open Space Priorities 133 CONSERVATION STRATEGIES 25 Protect Natural Resources 26 Preserve Open Space and Greenways 40 Preserve Wilton s Character 45 DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES 53 Manage Residential Development 55 Villages Wilton Center, Cannondale and Georgetown 61 Manage Business Development 70

5 INTRODUCTION 1 Overview Wilton is located in Fairfield County in southwest Connecticut. The Town is bounded by Ridgefield to the north, Redding and Weston to the east, Westport and Norwalk to the south, and New Canaan and Lewisboro, New York to the west. According to estimates from the U.S. Census, Wilton had a population of 18,144 people in 2007 and a land area of about 27.4 square miles (17,490 acres). This is an increase of 511 people (three percent) from the 2000 Census. Region Wilton 2010 Plan of Conservation and Development 1

6 Examples of Previous Plans About Plans of Conservation and Development This Plan of Conservation and Development is a tool for guiding the changes that will inevitably occur in Wilton s future. Its purpose is to establish a common vision for the future physical development of Wilton and recommend policies that will help attain that vision. The goals and recommendations of this Plan reflect the overall consensus of what is best for Wilton and its residents in the future. This Plan was prepared by the Wilton Planning and Zoning Commission with input from Wilton residents and local officials POCD While it is primarily a statement of recommendations addressing the conservation and development of Wilton (the physical layout), it is also intended to address the social and economic development of the community. History of Planning in Wilton Over the years, several comprehensive plans have been prepared for the Town of Wilton (1954, 1963, 1973, 1996, and 1999). In addition, special studies have been conducted for areas or topics of special interest in the community (Wilton Center, Route 7, open space, recreation, etc.) POCD Thus, it can be seen that the Town of Wilton has prepared, adopted, and amended Plans to address the appropriate conservation and development of the community. It is in that spirit that this Plan was prepared. Use of the Plan of Conservation and Development This Plan of Conservation and Development is an advisory document to the Planning and Zoning Commission and Wilton residents. It is intended to guide residents and to provide a framework for decision making with regard to conservation and development activities in Wilton over the next decade or so. While the statutory responsibility to adopt the Plan rests with the Planning and Zoning Commission, implementation will only occur with the diligent efforts of the residents and officials of the Town of Wilton. 2 Wilton 2010 Plan of Conservation and Development

7 EXCERPTS FROM CONNECTICUT GENERAL STATUTES (CGS) 8 23 PLAN OF CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT The Commission may: adopt such geographical, functional or other amendments to the plan or parts of the plan as it deems necessary. prepare, amend and adopt plans for the redevelopment and improvement of districts or neighborhoods which contain special problems or opportunities The Plan shall: be a statement of policies, goals and standards for the physical and economic development of the municipality... provide for a system of principal thoroughfares sidewalks, multipurpose trails be designed to promote the coordinated development of the municipality to have compact, transit accessible, pedestrian oriented mixed use development patterns and land reuse recommend the most desirable use of land within the municipality for residential, recreational, commercial, industrial, conservation and other purposes and include a map showing such proposed land uses recommend the most desirable density of population in the municipality note any inconsistencies with the following growth management principles: o redevelopment and revitalization of commercial centers o expansion of housing opportunities and design choices o concentration of development around transportation nodes o conservation and restoration of the natural environment, cultural and historical resources and existing farmlands o protection of environmental assets critical to public health and safety o integration of planning across all levels of government make provision for the development of housing opportunities promote housing choice and economic diversity in housing consider the following: o the need for affordable housing o the need for protection of existing and potential drinking water supplies o the use of cluster development and other development o the state plan of conservation and development o the regional plan of development o physical, social, economic and governmental conditions and trends o the needs of the municipality o the objectives of energy efficient patterns of development o protection and preservation of agriculture. The Plan may: show the commission's recommendation for o conservation and preservation of traprock and other ridgelines o airports, parks, playgrounds and other public grounds o the general location, relocation and improvement of schools o the general location and extent of public utilities for water, sewerage, light, power, transit and other purposes o the extent and location of public housing projects o programs for the implementation of the plan o proposed priority funding areas Wilton 2010 Plan of Conservation and Development 3

8 Plan Input Gathering input from residents and local officials played an important role while developing this Plan. Public Scoping Meeting, March 3, 2008 The Planning Process The process to create this Plan occurred over a two year period. The overall process entailed: Conservation Input Meeting, May 5, 2008 Development Input Meeting, June 2, 2008 Infrastructure Input Meeting, June 30, 2008 Issues Scoping (identify issues affecting Wilton) Conditions & Trends Telephone Survey, Conducted in December, 2008 Public Information Meeting, June 1, 2009 Public Hearing, October 5, 2009 Public Input Discussion Booklets Conservation Development Infrastructure Telephone Survey Plan Creation, Refinement, & Adoption Public input played an important role in preparing the plan (see sidebar). The Commission held interactive public workshops at the beginning of the process and solicited ideas for strategies prior to the creation of Issue Booklets, which discussed various issues and potential strategies. The Commission held a public information meeting to collect input on the draft Plan and then a final public hearing prior to adopting the Plan. The Commission retained the Center for Research and Public Policy to conduct a professional, statistically valid telephone survey of residents. Regular coverage by local newspapers kept residents informed of progress on the Plan. In addition, the Town posted draft Plan documents on its website. A Plan of Conservation and Development becomes an official document after a public hearing and adoption by the Planning and Zoning Commission. A public hearing on adoption was held on October 5, 2009 and the Plan of Conservation and Development was adopted by the Commission on November 2, The effective date of this Plan of Conservation and Development is January 1, Wilton 2010 Plan of Conservation and Development