McGowan is town planning consultant

SALISBURY — The Planning and Zoning Commission has hired Tom McGowan to act as a consultant planner.

Commission Chairman Cristin Rich said that McGowan will assist on complicated applications, help to increase efficiency at the land use office at Town Hall and work on updating the regulations.

McGowan’s hiring is the result of the December 2009 report on the town’s land use policies by consultant Donald Poland.

The report, presented to the public at a Feb. 9 meeting at Town Hall, found that Salisbury’s natural charm and proximity to New York City make it a magnet for wealthy individuals looking for country homes.

The presence of wealth, Poland wrote, has created a situation unlike other Connecticut towns of similar size.

“The value of land and the cost of investment have grown too high, and too much is at stake for property owners not to litigate what they believe are threats to their investments. If changes are not made to the overall system, litigation will become the norm.�

Poland’s report offered four options for the town to proceed. The third option included the hiring of a part-time planner, increased use of outside professionals (planning and legal) during hearings, and an overhaul of the regulations — but stopped short of recommending hiring a full-time planner.

Rich said that the Planning and Zoning Commission had budgeted $40,000 for the consultant’s services, adding that $5,000 will go toward the revision of the Town Plan of Conservation and Development.

The commission had asked the Board of Selectmen for $20,000 more, but the amount got trimmed down in the budget process. Should the commission run through its budget and require more, it has the option of asking the selectmen for an additional appropriation.

McGowan, who has been a planning consultant to the town for several years, said in a phone interview Tuesday, June 8, that the commission has a “long list� of things they wish to accomplish, and they will set up a schedule.

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