Groton Open Space Association

Groton Hires Midwest/West Firm To Help Rewrite Land-Use Regs

GROTON — The Town of Groton Office of Planning and Development Services (OPDS) said March 26, 2008, that it has hired Kendig Keast Collaborative, a municipal planning group, to help rewrite the town’s land use regulations.

Matthew Davis, planning manager, said in response to a query that Groton had signed a contract with the firm March 21, 2008.

Michael J. Murphy, director of the OPDS, had said in July 2005 that he anticipated a comprehensive review of zoning regulations would take place in 2006. In May 2007, he cited the still-forthcoming review — to be conducted with the help of outside consultants — as one reason he opposed an application by the Groton Open Space Association for a buildable land definition, to be inserted into the zoning regulations.

Mr. Murphy said during a hearing on the application that he wasn’t prepared to work with GOSA on a zoning rule change prior to the review. GOSA’s application was turned down. However, Mr. Murphy later backed a successful floating zone amendment independent of the review process.

Kendig Keast’s website lists offices in Sturgeon Bay, WI; Sugar Land, TX, Chicago, and Centennial, CO.

Earlier this year, Mr. Davis offered the following in response to a GOSA query as to the identity of the project leader for Kendig Keast:

“…please be advised that we anticipate the scope of services/work program will include many opportunities for structured engagement by a diverse group of interests, including interviews at an early stage in the process. However, for budgetary and other practical reasons, members of the public, individuals or those representing interest groups will not be permitted to have direct contact with the consultant, outside of the approved, adopted work program. This will not only allow the Town to control costs and be efficient, but will also protect the overall integrity of the process and in so doing, will enhance the legitimacy of any eventual outcome.”