Town Planner News & Announcements

6/27/2008 - Economic Development Commission - Meetings Canceled for July and August Archives

WELCOME

Thank you for visiting the Town Planner's web page. This department provides a variety of services that may impact your home or business, neighborhood, and the Newington community at- large. We welcome your questions and ideas for maintaining and enhancing the quality of living and working in Newington.

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Town Planner's office is to assist the Town Plan and Zoning Commission in reviewing development projects that enhance the quality of living and working in Newington, promote economic growth and the conservation of the communities natural resources.

EXPLANATION

The Planning and Development Department provides professional planning and administrative services including but not limited to the following:

• Assisting the Town Plan and Zoning (TPZ) Commission with administrative duties and advisor for development projects;
• Assisting the Economic Development Commission (EDC) with its programs
• Assisting the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) with administrative duties and advisor for variance appeals;
• Assisting the Town Council and Town Manager by meeting with developers and providing a long-range perspective on development opportunities;
• Serving as staff for the Affordable Housing Monitoring Agency, Open Space Grant Program, Affordable Age Restricted Housing Study Committee, Commercial Façade Easement Rehabilitation Loan Program Committee and carrying out special projects as assigned by the Town Manager and Town Council;
• Responsible for the management of the Small Cities Grant , STEAP Town Center Improvement Grant, US EPA Brownfield Assessment Grant, DEP Open Space Acquisition Grant programs, and the Commercial Façade Easement Rehabilitation Loan program.
• Serving on the CRCOG Housing Committee, and the New Britain-Hartford Busway Municipal Advisory Committee.
• Providing oversight of the Engineering Department
• Serving as the Town’s Legal Traffic Authority.

HIGHLIGHTS OF FY 2007 2008 OPERATION  

• Completed Phase III of the Town Center Streetscape Improvements, 540 linear feet from Market Square to Lowrey Place, using STEAP Grant funds.
• Completed two storefront renovation properties in the Town Center using STEAP Grant to fund the Commercial Façade Easement Rehabilitation Loan program.
• Completed the rehabilitation of 7 single family homes using the Town’s Small Cities Housing Rehabilitation revolving loan fund.
• Completed Phase III Assessment of the National Welding property and completed Phase I and Phase II site assessments of 21 Boulevard using the Town’s EPA Brownfield grant.
• Completed the draft housing, population, economic and open space components of the 2006-2016 Plan of Conservation and Development for public workshops and discussion.
• Assisted the TPZ process 29 applications (July – December 2007) for new development projects.

OBJECTIVES 

• Complete a long range strategic plan for affordable age restricted senior housing and assist the Town Council in its goal to build additional affordable senior housing at New Meadow Phase II property.
• Complete a reuse plan for the National Welding property that includes redevelopment options that the Town Council can consider to achieve site remediation.
• Assist the Town Manager and Town Council undertake the open space protection of the Cedar Mountain Ridgeline using funds awarded by the DEP.
• Obtain STEAP grant for Market Square Streetscape