Open space areas within the Town of North Branford have been and continue
to be a diminishing resource, and such open space areas are considered a valuable
asset to the community. It is recognized that there is a need to obtain additional
open space areas in order to meet future recreational needs, to preserve agricultural
lands, to protect natural resource areas and to maintain the town's quality
of life. The establishment of an Open Space Trust Fund will permit the acquisition
of land and/or purchase of development rights for areas identified in the
plan of development, open space plan and other recreation and conservation
planning documents.
The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation of this
chapter:
AGRICULTURAL LAND
Any land in the town suitable by reference to soil types, existing
and past use of such land for agricultural purposes and other relevent factors
for the cultivation of plants for production of human food and fiber or production
of other useful and valuable plant products and for production of animals,
livestock and poultry useful to man and the environment and land capable of
providing economically profitable farm units, which may include adjacent pastures,
woodland, natural drainage areas and other adjacent open areas.
APPROPRIATIONS
A legal authorization granted by the Town Council and/or the Annual
Town Meeting to make expenditures and to incur obligations for specific purposes.
DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS
The right or combination of rights of fee simple owners of open,
unimproved, forest and agricultural land to develop, construct on, sell, lease
or otherwise develop or improve such land for uses that result in rendering
such land no longer open, unimproved, forest or agricultural. The acquisition
of development rights is not intended to prevent any development of the land
to which the development rights relate, provided that such development is
consistent with the public purpose for which such development rights are purchased,
and provided that such development is permitted, pursuant to a written document
approved by the Town Council.
GREENWAY
Any corridor of open space that protects natural resources and/or
provides recreation. Greenways can be located along a waterway or other defining
feature, such as a ridgeline, or along a man-made corridor, such as an abandoned
right-of-way, abandoned town road, a woods road or a barge canal. It can be
a green space along a highway or around a village. Greenways can provide the
vital missing links to connect existing protected areas and to give people
convenient access to the outdoors. A greenway can be as wide as a river valley
or as narrow as an abandoned rail bed.
LAND PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
The Town Council shall establish a Land Preservation Committee to
be composed of five members and two alternates. The membership of the Committee
shall be composed of two members of the Town Council and four electors. At
least two electors on the Committee shall be from each district. There shall
also be appointed two alternates. This Committee will be responsible for the
preservation of agricultural and open space in town, for the review and selection
of agricultural and open space and for making recommendations to the Town
Council for the land and for expenditures of any funds from the Open Space
Trust Fund. Said Committee is to prepare a mission statement for presentation
back to the Town Council for approval.
[Amended 6-1-1999 by Ord. No. 216; 12-12-2000
by Ord. No. 222]
OPEN SPACE LAND
Any area of land, including forest land, land designated as wetland
under C.G.S. Section 22a-3 and farmland, the preservation or restriction of
the use which would:
A.
Maintain and enhance the conservation of natural or scenic resources;
B.
Protect natural streams or water supply;
C.
Promote conservation of soils, wetland, beaches or tidal marshes;
D.
Enhance the value to the public of abutting or neighboring parks, forests,
wildlife preserves, nature reservations or sanctuaries or other open spaces;
E.
Enhance public recreation opportunities;
F.
Preserve historic sites; or
G.
Promote orderly urban or suburban development.
OPEN SPACE PLAN
A plan or plans prepared by the Conservation Commission, pursuant
to C.G.S. Section 7-131a, and/or prepared/assisted by the Planning and Zoning
Commission, Recreation Commission or special advisory committee.
PAYMENT OF FEE IN LIEU OF OPEN SPACE
A funding option, pursuant to C.G.S. Section 8-25, as amended by
Public Act 90-239, Section I. The Planning and Zoning Commission may authorize
a subdivider to pay a fee into an Open Space Trust Fund administered by the
Town of North Branford in lieu of the disposition of land, as set forth in
the North Branford Subdivision Regulations.
PLAN OF DEVELOPMENT
A plan or plans prepared by the Planning and Zoning Commission, pursuant
to C.G.S. Section 8-23.