Town of Suffield 2010 Plan of Conservation and Development Adopted September 20, 2010 Revised through September 17, 2012 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary 5 I. Planning: A Continuous Process ...................................................................................................... 6 How Should This Plan Be Used?............................................................................................................................... 7 II. Examining Suffield’s Vital Signs....................................................................................................... 8 Population Growth..................................................................................................................................................... 8 Existing Land Use...................................................................................................................................................... 9 Residential Zones..................................................................................................................................................... 12 Planned Development Industrial Park (PDIP) & Industrial Zones .......................................................................... 12 III. Conservation: Protecting Suffield’s Assets ................................................................................. 13 Community Character.............................................................................................................................................. 13 Scenic Resources ..................................................................................................................................................... 13 Natural Resources.................................................................................................................................................... 15 Open Space.............................................................................................................................................................. 20 Flexible Residential Development............................................................................................................. 21 Agricultural Resources ............................................................................................................................................ 24 Historic Resources................................................................................................................................................... 28 Historic Homes & Districts ....................................................................................................................... 28 Other Historic Sites ................................................................................................................................... 29 IV. Development: Guiding Appropriate Progress.............................................................................. 31 Residential Development......................................................................................................................................... 31 Economic Development........................................................................................................................................... 33 Industrial & Light Industrial Development ............................................................................................... 33 Commercial Development......................................................................................................................... 34 Town Center Village District (TCVD)...................................................................................................... 39 West Suffield Village District (WSVD).................................................................................................... 39 Ebb’s Corner (EC)..................................................................................................................................... 39 Thompsonville Road (TR)......................................................................................................................... 39 V. Addressing Community Needs....................................................................................................... 42 Housing.................................................................................................................................................................... 42 Community Facilities & Services ............................................................................................................................ 44 Public Safety............................................................................................................................................................ 44 Ambulance .................................................................................................................................. 44 Fire .............................................................................................................................................. 44 Police........................................................................................................................................... 44 2 Education................................................................................................................................................... 45 Bridge Street School ................................................................................................................... 47 Recreation.................................................................................................................................................. 48 Babb’s Beach .............................................................................................................................. 48 Sunrise Park ................................................................................................................................ 48 Parks & Recreation Department.................................................................................................. 48 Library....................................................................................................................................................... 52 Senior Center............................................................................................................................................. 52 Town Administration & Services.............................................................................................................. 52 Public Works ............................................................................................................................................. 53 Highway Department .................................................................................................................. 53 Landfill........................................................................................................................................ 53 Transportation ........................................................................................................................................... 54 Roads........................................................................................................................................... 54 Rail.............................................................................................................................................. 54 Vehicles....................................................................................................................................... 56 Sidewalks and Bike Trails........................................................................................................... 56 Utility Services.......................................................................................................................................... 59 Water........................................................................................................................................... 59 Sewer........................................................................................................................................... 59 Other Utilities.............................................................................................................................. 62 Alternative Energy Projects ........................................................................................................ 62 VI. Implementation: Ensuring Goals Are Realized ............................................................................ 65 Observations & Requirements ................................................................................................................................. 65 Plan Goals & Accountability ................................................................................................................................... 70 Future Land-use Plan............................................................................................................................................... 70 Consistency with State and Regional Plans ............................................................................................................. 72 Connecticut Plan of Conservation & Development................................................................................... 72 Regional Plan of Conservation and Development..................................................................................... 74 VII. Summary: Planning for Suffield’s