Candidate Inquiry from Shelton Herald

I received request from the Shelton Herald Editor to submit answers to a candidate questionnaire.  Below are the complete set of their questions and my responses given on FriOct6.  It was later communicated that responses be limited to 200 words, which I had exceeded.  Here is my initial and complete non-excised submission / response.:

Work Experience

• 2013Jan-Present: Farmer, Facilities and Hospitality Manager.
• 1992Apr-2013Jan: Owner, family-owned Construction Company

Political Experience

• 1998May-Present: Commissioner, Shelton Conservation Commission (25+yrs appointed by Mayor for 2yr terms)
• 2009Nov: Alternate Commissioner, Shelton Planning & Zoning Commission (elected by voters during General Election)
• 2006: Member, Shelton Plan Update Advisory Committee (appointed by the Mayor, Alderman, P&Z)

Community Experience

• 2002Jun-Present: Director, Shelton Economic Development Corporation
• Over the years, I have served as a Deacon, Elder, Trustee and Youth Leader at my church.

P&Z Q#1: What is the major challenge facing city zoning now and in the near future?  What would you do to help meet that challenge?

There are many zoning challenges facing Shelton, given it is one of the most attractive municipalities for our region to reside or work in.  The number of applications is many, and the diversity and complexity of them requires a prompt yet thorough review to ensure they meet not only an applicant's desire for economic viability, but the resident's need for community vitality.  These two desired outcomes are achieved through consistency in all the regulatory review agencies, from Planning & Zoning Commission, Inland Wetlands Commission, and the Water Pollution Control Authority, in addition to resident's input from any public hearing process.  This consistency to have all of us refer to our well-conceived and successfully-proven planning documents has in my opinion veered in recent years, primarily through the perversion of a formerly steady zoning tool known as the Planned Development District (PDD).  Even our Mayor in his role as a private citizen has seen the economic advantage of subverting an underlying R1 zone by applying for 16 homes on 5 acres in the middle of an R-1 residential neighborhood using the PDD mechanism.  A resident should not fear that their investment in a home would be diminished by an unexpected and inappropriate development plopped down next door.  We see this in a Pine Rock Park application for 40 apartments on 3/4 of an acre next to simple bungalows.  Even our #1 tax payer Robert Scinto expressed concern recently when an adjacent property veered via the PDD mechanism into requesting apartments instead of a component more complementary to the underlying office park district.  Former P&Z Chairman Frank Osak, who guided planning decisions when Route 8 was being constructed in the mid-70s, leading to the economic engine of the Bridgeport Avenue corridor we enjoy today, said about the more recent state of PDD approvals from the P&Z Commission: "You people are having a problem telling people ‘no.’ I’m really concerned about the process.". (Shelton Herald 2014Dec22).  This mis-use of the PDD mechanism has to end.  To meet this challenge, when a PDD application is before me, it will receive a thorough and transparent review to provide consistency, and not allow what in my opinion has become "spot zoning".

P&Z Q#2:

There have been complaints of overdevelopment in the City.  Do you agree, and if so, what would you do in your role to help keep development in check?

I have lived on the same street in Shelton since I took my first step as a toddler, over 58yrs.  I have certainly seen development changes in Shelton over that span, some we can all agree are for the better, and some disappointing to me.  My early career was as controller for our family construction company, founded in Shelton by my father.  Our involvement in large-scale projects in the NY-metro area such as the recent refurbishment of LaGuardia airport, shows I both understand and appreciate the advances that come with development.  Contrastingly, both my parents were farmers and my latter career currently has me working on a farm, with a deep appreciation for preserving agricultural lands and the balance that preserved open space can bring to a community through passive recreation opportunities such as hiking trails, fishing, and more.  I do not agree that there has been "over-development", but rather that there has simply been economic development without an eye to balance in also satisfying our community needs.  With all the new apartments recently being approved, where will those new residents recreate if there are no adequate spaces set ahead for passive trails, or for active sports fields?  If more density in applications causes an increase in demands to infrastructure, be that traffic or sewage, should those impacts be borne upon the shoulders of residents when roads are needing to be rebuilt or sewer treatment facilities upgraded?  I would keep development attractively flowing to Shelton in a steady manageable pace (definition of "in-check") by consistently following our Plan of Conservation & Development, a "Master Plan" that should guide all government body decision making.