Winnick Woods Draft Master
Plan
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01/10/06
Town Council adopts Master Plan for Winnick Woods
The Town Council Jan. 9 approved a master plan for Winnick Woods, a 57-acre
parcel off of Sawyer Road.
Following a public hearing, councilors unanimously agreed to adopt the plan
to preserve and maintain the property for passive recreation.
The land is a gift to the Town from Alice Larrea, and councilors were grateful
to her and her family for her generous donation.
The plan calls for collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
to establish a habitat for the New England Cottontail on part of the property.
Any agreements for an endangered-species habitat will need to come back to
the Town Council for approval, said Town Manager Michael McGovern. Town Councilor
Mary Ann Lynch said she earlier questioned how an official habitat might
limit human activity on the property, and wants to better understand the
legal implications of establishing a habitat area before making such an
agreement.
The plan for Winnick Woods, named after the original family of Alice Larrea,
calls for some work, particularly regeneration of fields, Conservation Commission
Chairman John Herrick told the council.
Pending review by the Planning Board, the master plan calls for incremental
implementation overseen by the Conservation Commission. "The Commission will
take advantage of volunteer labor and fund improvements within existing annual
budget allocations for town greenbelt trails," the plan says.
Herrick said the plan calls for additional trail work, signage, boardwalking
and at least one bridge. "So we've spent quite a bit of time working on this
plan," Herrick said, recommending council adoption.
Speaking in favor of the plan was Janice Chapman, 1108 Sawyer Road, who told
the council that she was happy with the changes made to accommodate her lot
near the entrance to the property. "It's been a pleasure to work with the
Conservation Commission and (Town Planner) Maureen (O'Meara)," she said.
Herrick explained that the entrance to the parcel had been moved 100 feet,
and that lot owners Chapman and Bruce Moore agreed to subsidize the cost
of the relocation.
Councilors thanked the Conservation Commission and the town planner for their
work. "And thanks to Mrs. Larrea and her family, for 57 beautiful acres that
will be forever conserved and preserved in the town of Cape Elizabeth," said
Town Council Chairman David Backer.
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