Protecting Important Resources
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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
1
Continue efforts to preserve open space in Portland.
CC
BOS
2
Maintain an inventory of existing open spaces.
CC
BOS | LU
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
4
Continue efforts to establish a regional open space resource along the Connecticut River.
CC
PZC | DEP | BOS
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
6
Expand access to the Connecticut River for people and boats.
Town
PRC | BOS
7
Encourage expansion of the Meshomasic State Forest and the acquisition / preser-vation of adjacent properties.
Town
DEP | BOS
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
9
Develop appropriate river access points for canoes, kayaks and boats.
Town
PRC | BOS
10
Maintain open space areas appropriate for their use and activity.
Town
Staff | BOS
11
Seek to provide water access for fishing and boating (such as canoes and kayaks).
Town
PRC | BOS
G.2. Enhance Open Space Preservation Tools
G.2. Enhance Open Space Preservation Tools
Policy
1
Seek to maximize the preservation of open space as part of new development.
PZC
LU
2
Be prepared to preserve open space areas as opportunities arise.
Town
CC
3
Continue to collaborate with other organizations to preserve and manage open space properties.
CC
DEP | Staff
4
Continue to seek grants for preservation of desirable open space areas.
CC
LU
5
Promote "open space development" patterns when residential development occurs.
PZC
LU | CC
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
7
Contribute funds for open space preservation from the operating budget or a bond issue.
BOS
CC
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
9
Adopt a fee-in-lieu-of-open space provision in the subdivision regulations.
PZC
LU | CC | BOS
10
Adopt regulations to allow off-site dedication of open space.
PZC
LU | CC | BOS
11
Increase the open space set-aside requirement in a subdivision from 15 percent to 20 percent.
PZC
LU | CC