LAND USE
Subject - Property- Open Space:
title
Discussion regarding the Conservation Commission’s interest to purchase a parcel for open space.
end
Background:
Town Council Meeting 1/11/2023:
Mr. Michael Marelli, 4 Lee Brook Drive, Ledyard, Conservation Commission Chairman, stated the Commission has learned of a piece of property that was for sale that would be contiguous to other Greenways in town and falls under certain parameters for open space and wetland acquisition. He stated the Commission was interested in purchasing the property, noting that there were Grant Programs available for the purchase of open space that the Commission could apply for. He stated the Conservation Commission has not contacted anyone regarding the property, and that there have been no negotiations. He stated he was present this evening to inform the Town Council of this opportunity and to seek the Town Council’s guidance on the process for the Conservation Commission to pursue this opportunity and for permission to contact the seller (broker) to express an interest in the property.
Chairman Dombrowski stated that he would refer the initiative to the Land Use/Planning/Public Works Committee to review the Conservation Commission’s interest in the property.
Mayor Allyn, III, stated Mr. Marelli could contact the Broker to see if there were any other interested parties in the property and to gather other relevant information. He went on to state the town internally had access to the mapping of the property that could be provided to Land Use.
Chairman Dombrowski stated should they decide to pursue purchasing the property that a public hearing and a special town meeting would be required for the townspeople to vote on the purchase of the property.
Mr. Marelli acknowledged the work involved and the process for the town to acquire a property, explaining that the Conservation Commission would most likely not look to apply for the Grant Funding until next year.
Land Use Director/Town Planner:
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Meeting Action Detail:
Land Use/Planning/Public Works Committee Meeting 03/06/2023:
File #: 221151 Version: 1
Type: Land Use - Discussion
Title: Discussion regarding the Conservation Commission’s interest to purchase a parcel for open space.
Action: Completed - Remove from Agenda
Minute Note:
Mr. Michael Marelli, 4 Lee Brook Drive, Ledyard, Conservation Commission Chairman, noted at the LUPPW Committee’ February 6, 2023 meeting he provided some background information regarding he the Conservation Commission’s interest to purchase 154 Stoddards Wharf Road to be preserved as Open Space. He stated in speaking with Avalonia Land Conservancy Chairman Dennis Main that the Commission has decided to have Avalonia Land Conservancy take the lead on this initiative noting their expertise and knowledge regarding the processes involved in seeking grant funding, etc., and because they also had a broader range of funding opportunities than the town had
Councilor Paul thanked Mr. Lamb and Mr. Marelli for attending tonight’s meeting and for providing an update regarding their initiatives.
Action: Completed - Remove from Agenda
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Land Use/Planning/Public Works Committee Meeting 02/06/2023:
File #: 221151 Version: 1
Type: Land Use - Discussion
Title: Discussion regarding the Conservation Commission’s interest to purchase a parcel for open space.
Minute Note:
Mr. Michael Marelli, 4 Lee Brook Drive, Ledyard, Conservation Commission Chairman, stated during the Town Council’s January 11, 2023 meeting that he noted the Conservation Commission was interested in purchasing a piece of property to add to the town’s Open Space Inventory. He stated at that time he was looking for direction on how to proceed with the Commission’s idea and permission to begin the process. He stated Chairman Dombrowski referred the matter to the Land Use/Planning/Public Works Committee, which was the reason he was present this evening; and that Mayor Allyn stated that he could contact the Broker to see if there were any other interested parties in the property and to gather other relevant information.
Mr. Marelli continued by noting the property that was for sale was a 36-acre +/- parcel located at 154 Stoddards Wharf Road, located across the street from Whalehead Road; and was currently owned by Pfizer. He stated the asking price was $195,000, and he explained that the Conservation Commission would like to apply for a State of Connecticut Open Space Watershed Acquisition Grant that would pay up-to 65% or about $126,000 of the cost leaving a town share of about $68,000. He noted in addition to the sale price of the property that there would be other expenses involved such as conducting a A-1 Survey, property appraisal, legal description, and legal fees, etc. He stated the Grant Application period typically opened in September.
Mr. Marelli stated based on the Mayor’s suggestion to contact the Broker that he learned there may be a private party interested in purchasing the property. He stated that the Broker did not know how long Pfizer would wait to sell the property to the town because of the time involved to apply for and receive the grant funding.
Mr. Marelli went on to state after talking with the Broker that he followed up with Mayor Allyn, who suggested that the Conservation Commission ask if they could get a better price or if Pfizer would consider donating the property to the town. Mr. Marelli stated that he has walked the property and that it was not buildable noting that he was told at one time it was a quarry.
Mr. Marelli explained the reasons the Conservation Commission was interested in purchasing 154 Stoddards Wharf Road were:
• Town currently owned a 5-acare parcel that abutted the property.
• An old Pump Station was located in the area that was no longer being used for potable water, but that the pump station was still used by the Public Works Department.
• The Billings/Avery Pond runs onto the property.
• The property would be contiguous with other greenways in the area, noting its proximity to the Tri-Town Trail (Bluff Point to Preston Plains Park).
• Groton Utilities used the area as a watershed.
• Avalonia Land Conservancy was seeking to purchase the neighboring property located at 148 Stoddards Wharf Road.
Mr. Marelli went on state that he has not spoken to any parties about the Conservation Commission’s interest for the town to acquire the property, because he wanted to inform the Town Council first of their interest in the property, and also provide them with some background information regarding the parcel and its surroundings.
Chairman Dombrowski asked that Mr. Marelli work with the Mayor’s Office regarding the Conservation Commission’s interest to purchase the open space parcel. He explained that there was a town process in place to obtain authorization for the town to seek a Grant, noting that there would be some town expenses to file the Grant Application, such as conducting a A-1 Survey, property appraisal, legal description of the property, legal fees, etc. as Mr. Marelli noted earlier this evening. He also explained that they would need to identify and appropriate the funding source for the town’s local share, and that in accordance with state statute163(e) a Public Hearing would be required; and in accordance with Chapter VII of the Town Charter a Special Town Meeting would be required for the townspeople to vote on the town purchasing the property. He also noted that the Planning & Zoning Commission would be required to conduct an 8-24 Review.
Mr. Marelli addressed the Grant Application process and he noted that they were required to show that the purchase of the property would be in-keeping with the most recent Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) which was last updated in 2012. Chairman Dombrowski explained that state statute required the POCD to be updated every ten years and he suggested Mr. Marelli talk with the Planning & Zoning Commission regarding the latest version of the POCD.
Councilor Marshall questioned the previous use of 154 Stoddards Wharf Road. Mr. Marelli stated that he was told that the property was formerly used as a quarry. He stated in walking the property he saw some dykes or berms on the property, which he thought may be some type of geological feature. Chairman Dombrowski questioned whether there were any dams on the property. Mr. Marelli stated there were no dams on the property.
The LUPPW Committee noted that no action was required this evening regarding the Conservation Commission’s interest to purchase 154 Stoddards Wharf Road to add to the town’s open space inventory.
Action: Discussed