Anthony Napolitano
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Platinum Board Member
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Re:Meadowood Open Space Purchase - 2008/05/16 19:09
SHARE News Flash: May 20th Referendum - Vote Yes on Question 4: Meadowood Triangle Purchase
As we have stated in prior SHARE News Flashes, SHARE continues to follow land use and development issues throughout Simsbury and send out the information to our SHARE members in an effort to keep you informed about these important issues. Next Tuesday, May 20th at Henry James Middle School from 6 am to 8 pm, there is a referendum vote on the acquisition of 77 acres of open space near Firetown, Holcomb and Barndoor Hills Roads as part of the Griffin Land, Meadowood Settlement Agreement with the Town of Simsbury. The information provided by the Town of Simsbury at the Town Meeting on May 6th is included below.
It is important to note that the Board of Selectmen, the Board of Finance, the Zoning Commission, the Planning Commission and the Inland/Wetlands Conservation Commission have all voted to accept the Settlement Agreement with Griffin Land. Included in that Agreement is the Town's right to purchase the 77 acre Meadowood Triangle. Under the Simsbury Town Charter, the $2,750,000 cost of the acquisition of the Meadowood Triangle, requires approval by Simsbury voters through a referendum vote.
The Board of Finance has said that the settlement acquisition price of $2,750,000 will be spread out over five years (four years of $500,000 each and the fifth year at $750,000) and will be bonded in future years. Kevin Kane, the Town's Director of Finance, stated that a ten year bond of $2,750,000 based on highest estimate figures would cost the average Simsbury taxpayer an additional $33 per year for ten years.
If not approved at referendum then Griffin Land would be allowed to build an additional 46 homes on the parcels above and beyond the 296 homes already approved as part of the legal settlement. Various parties that have done the analysis which has shown that not building on this land will produce a net economic benefit greater than the construction of 46 homes and the resulting town costs associated with those homes eg: education. Keep in mind the Settlement already allows Griffin Land to build 296 homes in the north end on the Meadowood property which is already an extraordinary amount of residential construction. The SHARE Steering Committee feels that voting yes on Question 4 to approve the town's purchase of this property which will then prevent additional residential development is ironically responsible development as it produces the best long term economic benefit to the town. Additionally, the Open Space Committee unanimously voted that the Meadowood Triangle is their top priority for open space preservation and the Simsbury Land Trust has stated that the Meadowood triangle is among their highest priorities for open space acquisition. Below is the information presented by the Town of Simsbury at the May 6th Town Meeting.
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ACQUISITION OF 77 ACRES NEAR FIRETOWN, HOLCOMB AND BARNDOOR HILLS ROADS
(a) That the Town of Simsbury appropriate TWO MILLION SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($2,750,000) for acquisition of approximately 77 acres of land bounded by Firetown Road and Holcomb Road and located on both sides of Barndoor Hills Road, subject to certain conservation restrictions as to the use of the land, as provided in certain Settlement Agreements approved or to be approved by the Board of Selectmen. The appropriation may be spent for land and easement acquisition, legal fees, net interest on borrowings and other financing costs, and other expenses related to the project or its financing. The Board of Selectmen is authorized to determine the scope and particulars of the project.
Acquisition of 77 Acres Near Firetown, Holcomb and Barndoor Hills Roads
• Acquisition of 77 acres in fee simple as public open space
• Total purchase price is $2,750,000 (Includes $50,000 for issuance and legal costs associated with transaction)
• Per-acre
price is $35,064.94
• Unanimous Planning Commission positive referral pursuant to C.G.S. 8-24
• Property has been designated as Open Space and Prime Farmland on Town Plans of Development for over 25 years
• This 77 acre parcels abut existing Town Open Space, Great Pond State Park and McLean Game Refuge and would preserve an important wildlife corridor (identified by CT DEP and Town POCD)
• Open Space Committee voted unanimously to make “Meadowood Triangle” its highest-ranked open space priority
• Subdivision regulations and court settlement allow 26 additional proposed homes on the Triangle if not purchased by the Town
• Subdivision regulations allow approximately 20 additional homes to be proposed on the parcel east of Barndoor Hills Road as it reverts to the R-40 Zone if not purchased by the Town
• Requires approval at Referendum-In excess of 2% of the annual operating budget ($1,738,769)
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