I had the pleasure of meeting some of you at the informal presentation by the developer at city hall and others on Sunday at the Mill St. meeting. Please note P & Z is a very important board and its decisions have been instrumental in the success of our city. We have seen our Grand List grow from about $1.1B to well over $5.4B over the past 25 years. P & Z also recognizes the public is concerned and will be providing a larger venue for easier listening and review of the proposed development. It will be held at the SIS Auditorium
I wanted to be sure everyone understands the protocol and sequencing of the P & Z meetings for all persons who may wish to come before the Commissioners.
Please note the P & Z Chair, Ruth Parkins will advise those in the audience of the following:
Persons who wish to address the P&Z Commission are requested to write their name on the signup sheets that will be provided at the meetings. For those who cannot attend in person, letters can be sent to the P&Z Office at City Hall 54 Hill St, Shelton. Such letters will be provided to the Commission members but will only be read into the record if time allows.
The Developer will be allowed to make their presentation to the P & Z Commissioners and because of the size and complexity of the development this may take over 2 hours. While it may be redundant for the members of the public who attended the informational session, the Commissioners will be receiving the information for the first time and it is critical they hear if from the developer. There is also other data to be heard including marketing and traffic studies that will be presented that night to the Commission, and the commission will have many questions for all the presenters.
As I said before this is a very large project and the commission must allow the application to be presented in full. So it may be that the public will not have a chance to speak that night, but they will gain information by listening to the dialogue between the Commissioners and applicant. Please be assured that the public will be afforded the opportunity to address the Commissioners during the many meetings that will likely be held for this project. All those who speak before the commission must address the commissioners directly not the developers. It is the developer who will be responsible to note the comments made and address these issue to the commissioners that evening or at another date.
Once the hearing is opened on the 27th, all information and comments must be presented during the scheduled meetings to ensure an open and transparent process. Commission members cannot communicate with the public or the applicant outside of the hearings. Once the hearing has been closed, no further information from the applicant or the public can be received into the record.
There will probably be several meetings before any votes will be taken in regard to the developers request for zone changes etc.
I suggest persons interested in this proposed development be available for these meetings and they should participate per the protocol at every opportunity whether they are in favor of the project or against it..
Thank you for being involved in the Shelton City Hall public hearings.
Anthony F. Simonetti, Alderman
First Ward
6 Hayfield Dr.
203-605-7712
Shelton, CT 06484
