REGULAR MEETING OF WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 15, 2014, 5.00 P.M., SENIOR CENTER MINUTES

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1 The Essence of New England TOWN OF WOODBURY BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE ORG 271 MAIN STREET SOUTH PO Box 369 WOODBURY, CT REGULAR MEETING OF WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 15, 2014, 5.00 P.M., SENIOR CENTER MINUTES Members Present: Joe Donato, John Chamberlain, Ray Manzi, Karen Reddington- Hughes, Jack Well, Bob Clarke, Members Absent: Adam Goldberg, Don Murphy, Also Present: Mike Preato, Voices, 1. Call to Order: Joe Donato called the meeting to order at 5.05 p.m. 2. Resignations: The Committee noted with regret the resignation of Alex DeSorbo. 3. Privilege of the Floor: No one came forward 4. Correspondence: The Chairman read into the record a memorandum from the consultant planner, Mr. Brian Miller. A copy is attached. The Committee noted that the State has begun an initiative to provide New Haven, Stamford and West Hartford with access to a gigabyte of broadband access. The committee noted that Internet access did not appear to be a barrier to businesses coming to Woodbury; nor do current businesses appear to be suffering from a lack of access. It would therefore be unlikely that the Town would be considered ahead of, for example, Waterbury. The information on which the memorandum relied came from a broadcast on National Public Radio. The Committee took no action on the recommendation. 5. Approval of the Minutes: Bob Clarke moved the minutes as presented. Second: Ray Manzi. Motion carried Unanimously. 6. Old Business: There was none. 7. New Business: Karen Hughes reported that the State had produced a flag for the Connecticut Antiques Trail. A template has been produced. She is creating at her own expense a template. The flag will be available for all dealers listed on the trail, and only to them. Each dealer will be responsible for purchasing their own flag, using the template. It will be available throughout the State. The Committee thought the flag was tasteful and would make a welcome change from the "Open" flags. Ms Hughes said that Page 1 of 6

2 her next stop would be the Zoning Commission. A copy of the template is attached to these Minutes. The Committee discussed its future. The proposed Woodbury Community and Economic Development Commission would either be presented at the Town Meeting on November 17 or at a later date by referendum. The challenges for the new Commission would be the same as those confronting the BEDC: to balance the wishes of the community to remain much as it is, while promoting business. The Committee, an ad hoc committee, must pass any recommendation through the Selectmen's Office, and cannot act on its own; and it can be disbanded at any time by the Selectmen. For this reason the new Commission should be welcomed. Reasonable people working voluntarily for the benefit of the Town should not be subject to dismissal on a whim. The Committee noted that in the Public Hearing it was clear that some people believed that the BEDC, rather than the Community and Economic Committee, had drafted the proposed Ordinance. The Committee discussed the 95/5 division of the Tax Base, and anecdotally noted that people buying houses in Woodbury from outside were rarely first home purchasers. The newcomers love Main Street and the rural atmosphere of the Town. They do not complain of lack of shops and do not complain of taxes. Our taxes are not unreasonable compared with those of Fairfield and Westchester Counties. And if reduced taxation is really needed, either an increased business sector is needed, or the school budget needs to be reduced. There is a (to the Committee) very frustrating tension between townspeople desire to keep things as they are, but to be more business friendly. There is no area which could be set aside for Industrial purposes, (the Town already has two Planned Industrial zones), and much of the problem, especially in the Middle Quarter, continues to be septic issues. A plan for a sewer would be difficult to achieve, since all owners would need to agree to be hooked up to the line, and this is not an inexpensive item. Business owners would be able to pass the cost to tenants, but this would increase the already high rents. Tenants might decide to leave, thus increasing the empty commercial space in town. The vacancy needs to be reduced and existing properties need to be filled before any new developments are considered. The Committee discussed proposed Zoning changes, including banners and an amendment to the 50/50 rule for mixed residential use and commercial use on Main Street, to allow commercial use on the first floor with residential use on the upper floor or floors. Perhaps a petition to Zoning Commission by interested parties might allow for an expedited change. The Commission then heard that there appear to be new tenants coming into the old Ayla's and Dottie's Diner space. This was good news. 8. Adjournment: Proposed by Ray Manzi, Seconded by Bob Clarke. The Meeting adjourned at 6.03 p.m. Respectfully submitted Page 2 of 6

3 John Chamberlain Acting Clerk BEDC Attachments Civa.A ; Memorandum from Brian Miller 2. Template for the Connecticut Antiques Trail flag. RECEIVED & FILED IN WOODBURY, CT Page 3 of 6 This 3 day of K Cr ta.3 o'clock Town Clerk

4 Or wrta y Town of Woodbury Land Use Office 281 Main Street South Woodbury, Connecticut Phone: Fax: Memorandum To: Woodbury Planning Commission Woodbury Business and Economic Development Committee Woodbury Zoning Commission Woodbury Board of Selectmen From: Brian J. Miller, AICP; Town Planning Consultant Subject: Economic Development Initiatives Date: September 24, 2014 The above mentioned commissions have all been investigating methods of promoting economic development within the Town of Woodbury. Based upon some recent information, I would like to offer the following for consideration. As I understand it, economic development of the Town of Woodbury should adhere to the following parameters: Economic growth should be respective and supportive of the traditional character of Woodbury. The Middle Quarter District is based upon commercial development which occurred within the mid-twentieth century. This model is proving to be inconsistent with contemporary economic trends and community goals. Therefore, some forward thinking to anticipate economic development needs for the future, which are consistent with the character and attributes of Woodbury are needed. Woodbury includes a highly educated population, with potentially strong entrepreneurial potential. The State of Connecticut has commenced an initiative to provide the communities of New Haven, Stamford, and West Hartford with access to a gigabyte of internet broad band access to all businesses within each of these communities. This is approximately 100 times the available band width currently available for most businesses and residences within the State. Page 4 of 6

5 Several communities within the nation, including Kansas City, MO and Chattanooga. TN have initiated similar efforts Therefore, I would suggest that the Town of Woodbury explore the potential to be included within this initiative for a much greater broadband speed to be available to all businesses in Woodbury. This could include businesses to be located within the Middle Quarter District as well as other areas of the core of the Town, including the properties up and down Main Street North and South. We could also explore extension to the residential neighborhoods around town, to facilitate the growing trend in home based businesses. If feasible, this type of initiative could enable the growth of businesses within the Town of Woodbury consistent with 21 st Century economic growth trends and consistent with the character and demographics of the Town. Page 5 of 6

6 7.4 * Connecticut ANTIQUES TRAI L