01/28/2012

Committee invites residents to March 7 forum to discuss open-space priorities

The Future Open Space Preservation Committee is inviting residents to join them on March 7 to talk about Town open space priorities. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Town Hall (directions)

FOSP was appointed by the Town Council in 2011 to generally implement the Open Space Recommendations in the Comprehensive Plan. The committee has been working since March 2011 on the charge adopted by the Town Council. That charge includes incorporating public input into the work of the committee.

The meeting will touch on the committee’s charge, then review the Range of Tools and Draft Priority Open Space Criteria developed by the committee.

The Range of Tools is a list of regulatory and nonregulatory actions the Town can or is already taking to promote preservation of open space. Some of the elements of the Range of Tools recommendations are to not expand the use of restrictive zoning and to retain clustering and open space impact fees. Open space acquisition tools such as purchase of land, easements and retention of tax acquired property as open space are also recommended.

The Draft Open Space Criteria is a four-part list of the highest priority elements for open space preservation. The committee has been charged with taking these elements and developing a list of key properties for open space preservation. A Key Parcels list has been discussed at length by the committee and they are eager to hear from the public, with emphasis on open space property owners, about development of a Key Parcels List.

The main purpose of the meeting, however, is to provide an informal and comfortable atmosphere for the public to share its opinions and preferences with the committee as it continues its work.

For more information about the meeting and the work of the FOSP Committee, please contact Town Planner Maureen O'Meara, 207-799-0115.