Lifestyle center
I spoke with my mom. My parents went to Canton to see the lifestyle center that was built there by the same developer (W/S Developers) making a proposal for Cheshire.
My mom's decision has been made.
She liked it. And has decided the same thing will be done in Cheshire... of course this is contingent upon her getting her pet project done... a Cracker Barrel restaurant. In fact, she demands that someone put up a Cracker Barrel!
Not to worry though. That's already a done deal too. My mom told me that she's already informed the Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce of her wishes. And he agrees with her that we need a Cracker Barrel in town. So that's it folks. Northend development, including a Cracker Barrel, is a done deal. My mom has already decided and Sheldon Dill concurred.
Kidding!!!
Sheesh... some people take me too seriously! All kidding aside... my mom did visit Canton and she really liked it. Obviously, there were some things she didn't like, but on the whole, she liked it. And she also has told Sheldon that she really wants a Cracker Barrell restaurant.
Has anyone else visited Canton? I'd be curious to hear more.
Tim White
Town Council, 4th District
6 comments:
This is going to be great, and I think that a vast majority of the people in this town will really like it,
know what you mean it is like the men at the left side of the table like to oppose anything. Like that guy (Shrum or Shum) he voted against the money to prevent underage drinking? I think he looks like he must have some issues and is now taking it out on the whole town.
Whoa=I like the people on the right side of my screen. I have been here in town about a year but man those guys seem to have to lighten up.
Tim,
I have been to the Canton development numerous times, in fact saw it just after it opened. Its a beautifully done project. It also is filled with some great stores. Its tastefully done. There is no reasom that Cheshire should not support the project. In fact the more that folsk hear about it, the more they are going to like it.
For those in town who are against it, like the gentleman who wrote the letter to the editor in opposition, its time to realize that its not 1950. This town needs business, it needs revenue and if a tastefully done retail development is part of the logn term solution than it needs to happen.
Anyoen whi still has some delusional idea that major some major corporation or manufacturer is goign to relocate here and bring milliosn in tax dolllars is misguided.
Bring the retail development....
Cheshire Needs to wake up. The movers and shakers promised us development in the North End 20 years ago. Instead of decent development we have had 20 years of nothing and property taxes that xontinue to rise. Hopefully, now with a change in the Planning Dept. Cheshire will start to wake up and pur some decent commercial retail store in. The town has no retail and we all have to go out of town to spend our money. It's time some of it stays in Cheshire.
Sounds like more RT 10 traffic to me....dont give me the BS that everyone will access thru 691 either....so get ready for fast food chains etc...
Tim,
I have concerns about the plan. To begin, I don't see how we can overlook major enterprise, commercial construction projects that are happening all over the state.
Let’s take a look at recent development projects beginning right in our own back yard. ESPN has recently leased temp space in Cheshire and is looking for more. Met life in Bloom field - over 100 Million dollar project, the Hartford in Windsor with a 150 million dollar project. If you just Google a few of the G500 companies located in CT, you'll find that many have expanded, and are expanding this year. Also that Many are located not far from the interchange zone.
To me, I find it hard to believe that the interchange zone is not marketable. After 5 minutes of googling, I can come up with viable leads that fit much closer to the original intent of the plan. I have to ask, how has it been marketed? I don't know. Digging a bit deeper, I wonder, is the property public or privately owned? In who’s best interest is this proposal?
Our state charter places sole authority to change the planning and zoning laws on the PZC. I thought that sole authority was a term used to describe kings and queens. I simply have to question this authority. How is the PZC qualified to make this decision? If I were a member of the PZC, I would have extreme difficulty with that type of authority. I'd say to my self, hey, this is a volunteer post and I’m not an expert in creating law. I thought my job was to help uphold the existing codes and regulations not make new ones. I would hope that other functions of the town committee had the authority to back up my decision. This would help me to ensure that the decision was based on cross functional consent from the right type of social and economic expert officials and based less on opinion.
Ok. Speaking of opinions I have some, you have some, your mom has some, my mom too. We all have an opinion that’s the beauty of America we all get to share our opinions. I'll say again, that in my opinion there are good qualities of the plan that appeal to me. But that's just my opinion. I am more concerned about the checks and balances that are in place that have allowed the PZC to change the law and let us get this far to me, the changes have been made based on opinions alone, Sorry bro, that’s a Scary thought.
To conclude, I am in the business of development so I’d like to see something happen in my back yard. I also live in town so I’d also like to see the best possible choices made. Choices that have been scrutinized by the right authorities. In my opinion, we have an opportunity here to enhance our great town so let’s make that enhancement! Here are a few things to keep in mind:
1. Currently, the lack of retail in town presents a clear differentiator from all neighboring towns. If we allow major corporate retail in town, we will loose that differentiator, for bettor or worse. Let me take this a step further. What would be the difference between someone buying a house in Cheshire or Hamden? Will the lack of a differentiator help me sell my house in Cheshire when I’m 95 or not?—Tuff question, One that I’m not sure the PZC has expertise to answer confidently, I’m not sure that we elect PZC members to analyze property value, but we do so for some of the town management… do you see where I’m going here?
2. What is the cost benefit? At the last meeting that I attended, the town manager said that Cheshire would receive between 1 and 2 % annual revenue increase. Brother, I would change my job for less than a 10% increase in pay, not unless I was UN happy. Is the town really that unhappy with our current economic situation? What is the benefit to me 1% is 50 bucks off my taxes.
3. Let’s ensure that renewable energy is part of the plan.
4. We are the customer, not the developer!
5. Let’s ensure that Local trades perform the work during construction.
6. Let’s ensure that this project achieves the highest leed / Green credits available. That means the use of locally manufactured building supplies where possible, renewable energy systems to be installed, and the use of highly efficient construction designs.
7. We should consider changing the state’s by laws so that the authority to change zoning laws can be spread across a more than one body of town government authority.
-Mike Weed
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