During Fiscal Year 2005-2006, the Planning Department continued many large-project efforts begun in previous years. Our Department completed the comprehensive update of the Zoning Regulations, which were then passed by the Planning and Zoning Commission after much public input and discussion.
This past year saw the continuation of economic development in the Buckland Road gateway zone. Construction of 90,000 square feet of new retail and restaurant area at the Promenade Shops at Evergreen Walk was in full swing for the opening of the new LL Bean retail store scheduled for August 2007. There is strong interest within the business community to construct business establishments along the entire length of Buckland Road in the coming years.
The Buckland Area Transportation Study has been progressing all year. The study, a major effort by the towns of South Windsor and Manchester, the State Dept of Transportation, and the Capitol Region Council of Governments, was initiated to take a comprehensive look at transportation issues in the Buckland Hills area (including the interstate system). To date, there has been a tremendous amount of actual traffic data collected and analyzed. An Advisory Committee was formed that includes public officials, business leaders and State agency personnel. Public meetings have been held in both South Windsor and Manchester to solicit input. Future efforts will include identifying alternative solutions to help alleviate the major traffic issues. South Windsor officials and staff are and will continue to be actively involved in this
major effort.
Single family housing development has continued to decline as remaining land in South Windsor has more environmental constraints or becomes harder to acquire from owners not interested in selling for development. There have been no applications for larger subdivisions. The average subdivision now generally has fewer than a dozen lots; and two- and three-lot subdivisions are much more common. The shortage of available land within sewered areas of South Windsor is pushing residential development out into the largest remaining unsewered area-the northeastern corner of Town. It is anticipated that this will experience residential development pressure in the near future.
Open space preservation continues to be a high priority in South Windsor. The Planning Department continues to partner with the Public Works Department to expand the walking trails at the Major Michael Donnelly Land Preserve on Sullivan Avenue. Eagle Scout projects under the supervision of the Planning Department have resulted in construction of viewing platforms. The trails are expanding throughout the Donnelly Preserve, which has become a very popular walking area for residents. The Planning Department continues to work with youth and civic organizations that are willing to provide volunteer services at local parks and preserves.
The Planning Department continues to be involved in internal and external projects of community-wide interest. We provide a representative to the Capitol Region Council of Governments Transportation and Pedestrian/Bikeway committees. Staff are involved in local pedestrian/bikeway efforts. Our Department is integrally involved with the Town's Geographic Information System (GIS) planning efforts, with a vision of linking Town records from many departments into one easy-to-use database and map system. We are actively involved with a project to make GIS available to the public via the internet. These efforts are expected to culminate in a public website during the next fiscal year.
Marcia A. Banach, Director of Planning
Source: 2006-2007 Annual Report
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