Letters to the Editor 5-28-15

To the Town Council
Editor: We are concerned citizens of Windsor who urge the Windsor Town council to act now to reject the current plan for the Bell Village Residential Project and send the proposal to the planning commission. We want a development that respects and increases Windsor’s value as a community in terms of character, housing needs, connectivity, economy and natural capital. This will enable the Windsor community to embrace and support the project. The Bell Village development significantly changed from what was approved in 2011. There are questions as to whether this project’s urban pattern is consistent with the town’s policies, standards and guidelines. This development lies at the center of our community and should enhance, beautify and add value to it. What we visualize is a development at the lower end of density that connects to the Town Green in a positive and purposeful way. The density should be decreased and a much stronger commitment to incorporating more of the existing large heritage oak trees should be part of this new plan. The trees are a strong and positive feature of the site and should all be preserved. This new development should also honor the complete street guidelines in the General Plan. This is one of the largest projects to be proposed in years in Windsor. We must pause and proceed carefully. We are stewards of Windsor and it is our responsibility to see that the aesthetics, nature and habitat of Windsor survive for future generations. In 2054, Windsor will celebrate its 200th anniversary of becoming a community that was named after the large Heritage Oak Trees by Hiram Lewis in 1854. Let’s design, develop and build a project the we all can be proud of.
Mary Ann Bainbridge-Krause
Windsor