2001 Goshen Open Space Plan
In 2001 the Goshen Conservation Commission updated their 1984 Open Space Plan. In 2001 the Planning and Zoning Commission adopted this plan as a part of the 1994 Town Plan of Conservation and Development. The important recommendations in the 2001 Open Space Plan need to be included in the 2006 Plan of Conservation and Development. In particular their “Action Proposals” for funding of the Town’s Agricultural Land Preservation Fund, priority to preservation of contiguous blocks of open space, establishment of a policy for the use of open spaces, establishment of hiking trails with access parking, protection of wetlands, sewer system avoidance, and establishment of a dam on Dog Pond are goals that need to be highlighted in both plans.
At least in part due to the 1984 and 2001 Goshen Open Space Plan recommendations that expressed strong support of farmland protection, the State of Connecticut has protected more farmland in Goshen than any other town in Litchfield County under the State Department of Agriculture’s purchase of Farmland Development rights program. The Planning and Zoning Commission adopted changes to the Zoning and Subdivision Regulations regarding “cluster” or “conservation” subdivisions as recommended in the Open Space Plans.
Other Recommendations:
-Consider various amendments to zoning & subdivision regulations to provide guidelines for protection of environmentally sensitive areas.
-Amend Subdivision Regulations to require a set aside up to 15% of subdivision land area for permanent open space.
-The Town of Goshen is in the process of forming an “Open Space and Work Force Housing Committee” that will be charged with researching and providing recommendations on preservation of open space and creation of “work force” housing opportunities. The Planning and Zoning Commission is supportive of this important work and will in the future consider including the recommendations of this Committee in the Goshen Plan of Conservation and Development.
Goshen Land Trust:
During preparation of the 2006 Goshen Plan of Conservation and Development the Planning and Zoning Commission met with members of the Goshen Land Trust who made a presentation on their Land Acquisition Goals. The Planning and Zoning Commission supports these goals that are included in the 2006 Plan. The goals are as follows:
The Goshen Land Trust seeks to preserve, in perpetuity, land in the town of Goshen, for the purposes of habitat preservation and enhancement, water quality protection, agricultural production, passive recreation, and scenic and historical preservation. To these ends, the Land Trust seeks, through outright gift, conservation easement, or possibly purchase, to preserve the following lands:
1)habitat of threatened or endangered species
2)river corridors
3)large tracts of undeveloped land
4)corridors connecting preserved land
5)scenic and historic sites
6)prime agricultural land
7)other significant open space areas including wetlands and forested areas
In addition, the Land Trust accepts donations of property which can be sold to fund acquisition of priority lands.
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