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Protecting Important Resources

Click for additional information, denoted by a green dot where available.

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        Status:  A- Not Yet Implemented

     B- In Progress

   C- Completed

G.1. Preserve Desirable Open Spaces

G.1. Preserve Desirable Open Spaces

#
Policy
Leader
Partner
Status

Policy

1

Continue efforts to preserve open space in Portland.

CC

BOS

Continue efforts to preserve open space in Portland.

2

Maintain an inventory of existing open spaces.

CC

BOS | LU

Maintain an inventory of existing open spaces.
  • The PZC recommended by 8-24 referral and the BOS approved the designation of 31 lots totaling 9.06 acres in the Great Hill Pond watershed as Open Space. 

  • The Inland Wetlands Commission and Planning and Zoning Commission provided letters of support for the Middlesex Land Trusts acquisition of 147 acre parcel abutting the Meshomasic State Forest and encompassing Rattlesnake Brook thereby protecting the watershed of Great Hill Pond. 

  • The Land Use office has been working with the owners of Walnut Hill Farms to sell their development rights to the CT Farmland Trust and Ct Department of Agriculture to protect important farmland soils, historic orchards, and fanglomerates on the site. 

  • The Town of Portland entered into an agreement for access with Tilcon. This agreement provides access from Airline Avenue and South Street to a town-owned parcel along the Connecticut River to ensure future access as a drop in point for non-motorized watercraft. 

3

Establish an interconnected system of open space in order to create greenway trails and wildlife corridors.

CC

PZC

Establish an interconnected system of open space in order to create greenway trails and wildlife corridors.

4

Continue efforts to establish a regional open space resource along the Connecticut River.

CC

PZC | DEP | BOS

Continue efforts to establish a regional open space resource along the Connecticut River.

5

Support efforts (such as those by the State of Connecticut) to increase the amount of preserved open space along the Connecticut River, especially in the Wangunk Meadows and Pecausett Pond areas.

CC

PZC | SEP | BOS

Support efforts (such as those by the State of Connecticut) to increase the amount of preserved open space along the Connecticut River, especially in the Wangunk Meadows and Pecausett Pond areas.

6

Expand access to the Connecticut River for people and boats.

Town

PRC | BOS

Expand access to the Connecticut River for people and boats.

7

Encourage expansion of the Meshomasic State Forest and the acquisition / preser-vation of adjacent properties.

Town

DEP | BOS

Encourage expansion of the Meshomasic State Forest and the acquisition / preser-vation of adjacent properties.
#
Action Item
Leader
Partner
Status

Action Item

  • The Land Use office has been working with the owners of Walnut Hill Farms to sell their development rights to the CT Farmland Trust and Ct Department of Agriculture to protect important farmland soils, historic orchards, and fanglomerates on the site. 

8

Identify desirable open space areas for future preservation.

CC

LU

Identify desirable open space areas for future preservation.

9

Develop appropriate river access points for canoes, kayaks and boats.

Town

PRC | BOS

Develop appropriate river access points for canoes, kayaks and boats.

10

Maintain open space areas appropriate for their use and activity.

Town

Staff | BOS

Maintain open space areas appropriate for their use and activity.

11

Seek to provide water access for fishing and boating (such as canoes and kayaks).

Town

PRC | BOS

Seek to provide water access for fishing and boating (such as canoes and kayaks).

G.2. Enhance Open Space Preservation Tools

G.2. Enhance Open Space Preservation Tools

#
Policy
Leader
Partner
Status

Policy

1

Seek to maximize the preservation of open space as part of new development.

PZC

LU

Seek to maximize the preservation of open space as part of new development.

2

Be prepared to preserve open space areas as opportunities arise.

Town

CC

Be prepared to preserve open space areas as opportunities arise.

3

Continue to collaborate with other organizations to preserve and manage open space properties.

CC

DEP | Staff

Continue to collaborate with other organizations to preserve and manage open space properties.

4

Continue to seek grants for preservation of desirable open space areas.

CC

LU

Continue to seek grants for preservation of desirable open space areas.

5

Promote "open space development" patterns when residential development occurs.

PZC

LU | CC

Promote "open space development" patterns when residential development occurs.
  • We have recently accepted 30 acres of waterfront land along the CT River near Riverside Marina from the Field Family.

  • We recently accepted a small piece of open space from the estate of Gerry Prout adjacent to the Middlesex Avenue Fields.

  • We have swapped land with Portland Echange Club in the Wangunk Meadows- we now own the frontage and road into the Meadows.

6

Encourage open space philanthropy.

CC

B

Encourage open space philanthropy.

7

Contribute funds for open space preservation from the operating budget or a bond issue.

BOS

CC

Contribute funds for open space preservation from the operating budget or a bond issue.
#
Action Item
Leader
Partner
Status

Action Item

  • Per ordinance $50,000 per year are set aside for open space/land acquisition funds

8

Create an Open Space Fund to set aside funds for open space preservation.

BOS

CC

C

Create an Open Space Fund to set aside funds for open space preservation.

9

Adopt a fee-in-lieu-of-open space provision in the subdivision regulations.

PZC

LU | CC | BOS

Adopt a fee-in-lieu-of-open space provision in the subdivision regulations.

10

Adopt regulations to allow off-site dedication of open space.

PZC

LU | CC | BOS

Adopt regulations to allow off-site dedication of open space.

11

Increase the open space set-aside requirement in a subdivision from 15 percent to 20 percent.

PZC

LU | CC

Increase the open space set-aside requirement in a subdivision from 15 percent to 20 percent.
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