Meriden Planning

There's been an interesting discussion thread developing in the Comments to the "State Tax Cuts" post from a couple weeks ago. A couple posters have given opinions on how planning for economic development has been less than desirable in the recent, and not so recent past. This is an important topic, as the City must do a better job in attracting and retaining businesses in order to expand the tax base and reduce pressure on current commercial and residential property taxpayers. While we all await for true property tax reform (whatever that means!), we must be more strategic about using the resources we have at hand. That means land, (whether developable or re-developable), labor, incentives, and most important, leadership.

There has been some long-term planning to overcome obstacles to economic development, most visibly in flood control and downtown revitalization (CIty Center Initiative). A significant effort is currently under way under the auspices of the Planning Commission, which is updating the City's Master Plan of Conservation and Development. Chairman Rico Bucilli is directing a committee made up of representatives from the City Council (myself and Brian Kogut), the Planning Commission, the Zoning Board of Appeals, the Conservation Commission, Inlands and Wetlands Commissions among others. They meet monthly (next meeting, tomorrow, 3/21) and will over the next year prepare an updated plan to guide the City's development into the 21st century. There will be ample opportunity for the public's review and input. I will do my best to update you here, but feel free to attend the meetings, which are public.

What would be your priorities as this plan evolves?