A PLAN OF CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT FOR THE TOWN OF HARWINTON PREPARED BY THE Harwinton Planning Commission January, 2010 January, 2010 Town of Harwinton, CT Plan of Conservation & Development ‐ 2010 Harwinton Planning Commission Michael Orefice, Chairman Paul Roche, Secretary Elizabeth Brayboy Christina Emery Sabrina Janco John Souchuns John Sullivan Vincent Wheeler Polly Redmond, Land Use Coordinator 2 January, 2010 Town of Harwinton, CT Plan of Conservation & Development ‐ 2010 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................. 8 Harwinton Planning Commission Plan of Development Survey Results ................................................... 9 PLAN OF CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT SUMMARY ....................................................................... 12 Proposals ................................................................................................................................................. 12 To Protect our Natural Environment ................................................................................................... 12 To Maintain the Rural Character of the Town ..................................................................................... 12 To Make Harwinton an Even Better Place to Live ............................................................................... 13 To Improve Municipal “Housekeeping” ............................................................................................... 14 To Regulate Future Land Use ............................................................................................................... 14 State & Regional Plan Statement ................................................................................................................ 15 State of CT Conservation and Development Plan ................................................................................ 15 Litchfield Hills Regional Plan of Conservation and Development ........................................................ 15 HOW HARWINTON CAME TO BE: A BRIEF HISTORY .................................................................................. 17 HARWINTON’S LAND AND HOW IT IS USED ............................................................................................... 21 Overview of Harwinton Land .................................................................................................................. 21 Residential ........................................................................................................................................... 21 Industrial and Utility ............................................................................................................................ 27 Commercial .......................................................................................................................................... 27 Open Space .......................................................................................................................................... 28 3 January, 2010 Town of Harwinton, CT Plan of Conservation & Development ‐ 2010 Harwinton Open Space Land ............................................................................................................... 29 Harwinton Recreational Land .............................................................................................................. 30 Public and Semi‐Public Land ................................................................................................................ 31 Roads ................................................................................................................................................... 31 Definition of Road Classification .......................................................................................................... 35 Inland Wetlands and Watercourses ........................................................................................................ 36 DEMOGRAPHIC AND ECONOMIC DATA ...................................................................................................... 37 Harwinton Population Characteristics .................................................................................................... 37 Harwinton Income Statistics ................................................................................................................... 42 Harwinton Housing Data ......................................................................................................................... 43 Harwinton Economy ................................................................................................................................ 47 FUTURE HARWINTON…PROPOSED POLICIES TO GUIDE GROWTH............................................................. 51 General Development Policy ................................................................................................................... 51 To Protect our Natural Environment ....................................................................................................... 52 Proposals to Protect the Natural Environment ................................................................................... 52 Proposal to Promote Alternative Energy ............................................................................................. 53 To Maintain the Rural Character of the Town ........................................................................................ 54 Proposal to Protect Forest and Farmland ............................................................................................ 54 Proposals to Protect and Enhance the Town’s Rural Character .......................................................... 55 Preservation of the Historic Character .................................................................................................... 56 Proposals to Preserve the Town’s Historic Character ......................................................................... 57 To Make Harwinton an Even Better Place to Live ................................................................................... 57 Open Space .......................................................................................................................................... 57 4 January, 2010 Town of Harwinton, CT Plan of Conservation & Development ‐ 2010 Naugatuck River Greenway ................................................................................................................. 58 Cook’s Dam Reservoir .......................................................................................................................... 60 North/South Trail System .................................................................................................................... 61 Conservation ........................................................................................................................................ 62 Natural Resources ................................................................................................................................ 62 Harwinton’s Transportation Policy ...................................................................................................... 63 To Improve Municipal Housekeeping ..................................................................................................... 69 Proposals for Town Utilities ................................................................................................................. 69 Public Sewers ....................................................................................................................................... 69 Public Water ........................................................................................................................................ 69 Protection of Existing Well Water Supplies ......................................................................................... 70 Proposed Sewer and Water Supply ..................................................................................................... 70 Municipal Facilities .................................................................................................................................. 71 Education Facilities .............................................................................................................................. 72 Emergency Services ............................................................................................................................. 73 Housing for the Elderly ........................................................................................................................ 74 Facilities at Harwinton Center ............................................................................................................. 74 Town Garage, Dog Pound and Storage Yard ....................................................................................... 75 Proposed Land Use Policies ..................................................................................................................... 76 Residential Land Use Policies ............................................................................................................... 76 To Regulate Future Land Use .................................................................................................................. 78 Residential