May 17, 2008
Zoners at odds over how village district board will be formed
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Planning and Zoning commissioners disagreed Monday night over the way a new village district board will be selected.
The village district board will be charged with considering the character of the two village districts in town, Cannon Crossing and Wilton Center, to see how any proposed development fits with existing structures. The two village districts were created in December of last year.
The village district board could be manned by either residents or a consultant. Sally Poundstone, chairman of the commission, suggested the board should have five members. She said the commission should ask for candidates from the Republican and Democratic town committees.
“This is a professional kind of issue that this board should deal with,” said Commissioner Marilyn Gould, arguing the commission should select the candidates itself.
Commissioner Michael Rudolph asked if the village district board would have to be governed by minority representation rules. Town Planner Robert Nerney said it would not have to be, but it did have to have at least one American Institute of Certified Planners member or one licensed architect.
Mr. Rudolph, who is also vice chair of the Republican Town Committee, said it might be a good idea to have the political parties look for candidates.
“The vetting process, that’s an enormous task,” said Mr. Rudolph.
“No, it isn’t,” replied Ms. Gould.
Commissioner Bas Nabulsi said he felt bringing a local architect on the board would be “tricky” because of potential conflicts of interest. He said even if an architect had nothing to do with a particular project being judged, the person might be setting precedent for a later project he or she could be involved with.
Mr. Nerney reminded the commission it didn’t have to be a local architect, and an outside consultant could be brought in. When asked, he admitted there was nothing in the budget for such a consultant.
“I think there’s a case to be made for having someone familiar with the community” serving on the board, Ms. Poundstone said.
A decision was put off to the commission’s next meeting, on Tuesday, May 27.
© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers
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