In early March, Mayor Sebastian Giuliano asked the Commission to plan for development of the Riverfront south of Harbor Park, asking them to review previous riverfront planning efforts, and to gather information regarding the Route 9 southern interchange project, the OMO superfund toxic waste site, and to meet with other stakeholders such as the Lady Katherine Cruise Line, the Lions Club, Parks and Recreation, and the operator of the Canoe Club.
Last night, Warner highlighted the "historic" Council vote to join the Mattabassett Sewer regionalization project. He told the Commissioners how much enthusiasm there was on the Council about the possibilities which would open up when Middletown's treatment plant on River Road could close. He said that the Council was now looking towards Planning and Zoning for a plan, "All of that is on your shoulders."
Johnson also said it was premature for the memorandum to include in the last section, entitled "The Riverfront Zone", a discussion on what the Commission intended, "Below are our preliminary thoughts on the new Riverfront Zone for the study area."
Johnson said that riverfront planning should be done very carefully, "It would be nice to have a larger study."
Other Commission members defended the memorandum as a preliminary set of thoughts with nothing "set in stone". Carl Bolz said, "This document is a start."
Bill Warner urged the Commission to move forward, "You can study and study, or you can get going and get something done."
The full draft memorandum is HERE
I watched all the workshops on TV. Don't know what Johnson is talking about, was she sleeping with her eyes open ??
ReplyDeleteMs. Johnson has a real problem getting along with the others on the Commission. How can she expect to get anything done if she can't even agree with her own party.
ReplyDeleteThe article states that Mayor Giuliano asked the Commission to plan for development of the Riverfront south of Harbor Park, and asking them
ReplyDeleteto review previous riverfront planning efforts, and
to gather information regarding the Route 9 southern interchange project, the OMO superfund toxic waste site, and
to meet with other stakeholders such as the Lady Katherine Cruise Line, the Lions Club, Parks and Recreation, and the operator of the Canoe Club.
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Do we see all of these items covered in the Memorandum? If not, which ones do we see? and what remains to be examined?
Vagueness and antipathy are the enemy of progress in such matters. Important matters must be identified and addressed separately and specifically. If the Memorandum fails to do what the Mayor asks, then more work needs to be done.
In the interest of expediting the project, the work should be done promptly and thoroughly, using checklists, common sense, and information acquired from all available stakeholders (noted above). If the Memorandum is a bit "thin," investigators should do(specific) further work to identify and address those issues.
The Memorandum should not be tossed about like a verbal volleyball, but addressed in a dignified manner, pointing out items that still need to be addressed, studied, and described.
Is it appropriate for a plan of development be drawn up based on input from existing stateholders only so that their needs are met? I don't think that guarantees the best use of the property for all of us.
ReplyDeleteIf it were up to Ms Johnson P&Z would be nothing more than a study group or a think tank. We need to see results, issues cannot be studied to death.
ReplyDeleteI beg you to plan carefully and take all perspectives into consideration. Remember what we did in the 60s to downtown. Decisions like Riverview Plaza and Metro Square need not occur again.
ReplyDeleteDo you live in Middletown, LIz Warner? Learning from mistakes is not part of the Middletown Planning Department past, present or future. Decisions based on facts? Nope.
ReplyDeleteApparently there is no consideration of the views of Ms. Johnson, one who is educated & skilled in Urban Planning (Bill Warner is not the only show in town). Nah!
ReplyDeleteThe Stakeholders for this issue are ALL the taxpayers of Middletown, not just the commercial and political interests (per usual).
It's time for a new Charette Procedure to be scheduled. A lot has changed in the past eleven years since the last one was held.
Whatever decisions are reached regarding the Riverfront will impact Middletown for a Century or more. What's the rush?
it is not the p&z board job to plan its the city departments job- they equally are qualified
ReplyDeleteLet's really think and dialogue about what we are going to put there instead of rushing! The riverfront in Middletown is potentially the most valuable and beautiful property in Middletown!
ReplyDeleteTo anon at 11 a.m.:
ReplyDeleteNot the job of P&Z to plan? Maybe they shouldn't call it "Planning and Zoning" then.