CORNWALL — With the town’s voter-approved 2020 Town Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) in hand, the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) held the first of several meetings of town boards and commissions to begin work on the 2030 town plan.
The forum drew representatives from town groups to a Zoom forum on Thursday, Feb. 4, for a discussion that attracted about 35 viewers.
P&Z Chairman Anna Timell reviewed Cornwall’s POCD structure, which divides conservation and development into four broad categories: economic development, housing, conservation and, finally, youth and cultural resources.
Janell Mullen, regional planner for the Northwest Hills Council of Governments, attended the forum to hear comments and to discuss goals that the town should progress toward in the coming years.
In particular, Mullen highlighted a need for affordable housing as a means of attracting young families to town as well as making the town affordable for older families. The former would result in greater school enrollment and the latter would ensure that seniors would opt to remain in town or retire in Cornwall.
First Selectman Gordon Ridgway spoke on behalf of the selectmen. “There are things you can plan for, and things you can’t,” he said.
“There are now more people living here and telecommuting, a trend that will remain,” he said, referring to an influx of new homeowners during the COVID-19 quarantine.
Margaret Cooley reported on the work of the affordable housing committee, indicating that the current median home price has increased to $500,000.
She also noted a continuing need for rental properties, with multi-family structures seen as the most efficient route and the best way to make affordable units available.
All at the meeting agreed that the town’s volunteers have done an admirable job of supporting new residents and families who are in need.
Representing the Conservation Commission, Pat Mulberry described two endeavors that are keeping them busy these days. The first is a proposal for the P&Z to protect the town’s ridge lines from development, using the town of Kent as a model. The second is to prepare a list of uniquely important sites in town that are worthy of protection.
Speaking for the Conservation Trust, Bart Jones summarized ongoing projects to enhance local recreational hiking trails and spoke of recent land acquisitions protected from development.
To read the town’s POCD, go to www.cornwallct.org.
Classic styles, bold colors, and creative concerts make up the “Imaginary Concerts” line at Peggy Mercury.Provided
Shirts from Peggy Mercury’s first fashion line, “Imaginary Concerts,” hang on display.Provided
