Letters to the Editor 4-7-16

General Plan Update
Editor: Last night the Windsor Council and Planning Commission concluded an important phase of the 2040 General Plan process with the Consultants presenting the findings of approximately one year’s worth of community outreach. You can find the information and findings at windsor2040.com at General Plan Alternatives Public Input Summary.
I don’t expect we will all agree on what the findings are nor do we need to. The following is what I as one of your Council persons take from the consultant’s information and listening to public comment.  I interpreted the top 10 priorities on page six of the report to be most relevant in forming the policies necessary for the Windsor Plan to be successful. In order importance based on public input at the last workshops of what Windsor Residents wish were first; 1) Preserve open space; 2) Reduce not increase roadway congestion; 3) monitor and control growth in an even and slow pace; 4) Support a mix of land uses and development types; 5) Provide opportunities for walking , biking and transit; 6) Approach the housing needs by providing a variety of housing types with consideration for existing neighborhoods; 7) Retain the Town’s existing character when considering growth; 8) Be vigilant to water demands of our existing community when processing new development; 9) Work with our schools to maintain and enhance the quality of their work of which the community is proud; 10) Continue to prioritize the Park and Recreation programs and park acquisition and development.
As one of your Council members, I am asking you to weigh in. Do you want more growth or less growth? Do you want surrounding agricultural and open space land designated for housing or left alone?  What areas will we focus growth in and why should we focus growth in some areas and not others? These are questions that this General Plan process is to answer. The question is will it?
Sam Salmon
Windsor