Groton Open Space Association

Hill Friends’ ASH Paper Discussion Barred; GOSA Application Taken

GROTON — Only two items were scheduled at the March 7, 2007 Groton Town Zoning Commission meeting.

No. 1 was Old Business: a petition by the Friends of Fort Hill, with John Sutherland representing his absent wife, Susan, to request a moratorium on Active Senior Housing to allow adoption of a buildable area definition, and a request to address the tax and social consequences of current ASH regulations. The second item was New Business: acceptance of GOSA’s application for a zoning text amendment, concerning buildable area definitions, ASH density calculations, and a moratorium on Active Senior Housing.

Michael J. Murphy, director of the Office of Planning and Development Services, recommended against discussion of either agenda item, so as not to jeopardize GOSA’s application process. He argued that, because there were similar, overlapping, topics, any discussion could put the application at risk. Only procedural issues were discussed. The committee did not permit discussion of any substantive topic, including the tax and age components of the Friends’ petition, which are not found in the GOSA application.

The Friends had submitted a petition, with approximately 110 signatures, to the Commission on Jan. 3, 2007. The Commission placed it on the schedule for its Feb. 7 meeting, but announced a cancellation of that meeting on Jan. 31. There is no current plan and — it was stated — no legal requirement for the Zoning Commission to address the Friends’ petition.

GOSA submitted its application Feb 7, 2007. The Commission has 65 days, from the March 7 acceptance date, to schedule a hearing. Related commissions have 35 days to respond to required referrals. A hearing is scheduled May 2, 2007.

By Joan Smith