Tiffany Zezula, of Pace University's law school, at a public engagement meeting in New Castle, N.Y. Photo courtesy of NewCastleNow.org.
Those were themes of a community forum March 25 to gain a better idea of what Derby taxpayers want to see happen to move their city forward.
About 50 residents expressed their concerns and offered ideas for the city’s future during a two-hour session at Grassy Hill Lodge.
The event was the third in a series of community forums held in an effort to spur residents’ civic engagement as the city rewrites its Plan of Conservation and Development.
What’s in the wide world of sports is a Plan of Conservation and Development, you ask?
It’s a planning tool the city uses as guide to land use practices.
Example — should casinos be allowed in residential zones in Derby? No? Well, the Plan of Conservation and Development would describe “appropriate” uses.
The document is only a guide, but it informs the city’s zoning rules (the gospel of what and what cannot go on land in Derby).
City officials are required by law to update their plans every 10 years.
The most recent Plan of Conservation and Development was created and adopted in 2002.
Earlier in March forums were held at Kellogg Environmental Center and Archie Moore’s, a downtown restaurant.
The forums were facilitated by representatives of the Land Use Law Center at Pace University Law School and the Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy.
Tiffany Zezula, deputy director, Pace University Land Use Law Center, led one of two discussion groups.
Zezula asked participants to talk first about what they liked about their city. The first topic was conservation, green places and recreation.
Witek Park, Osbornedale State Park, the Derby Greenway, Kellogg Environmental Center, O’Sullivan’s Island, and riverfront areas were all quickly mentioned.
On the downside, citizens listed a need to improve playing fields and clean up the Greenway. A citywide cleanup day was suggested.
One resident questioned why nothing had been done with the Onopiak family property at the corner of Sodom Lane and David Humphreys Road. He said the late owner had left instructions in his will to keep the land open as a park.
The question was not answered.
According to state General Assembly records from January 2007, state Rep. Themis Klarides, R‑Derby, had introduced a bill to seek funding to restore the property “for use as a park, including renovations to the home as a recreation building and landscaping and trail creation.”
Public works, infrastructure, transportation, and public services were up next.
Several citizens commended public works’ crews on this winter’s snow removal. Transportation got a good grade, with the availability of Valley Transit District, and a transit hub at the train station.
The fact the city has two libraries was a positive point. On the negative side: abundance of potholes, a sewer system (which is being addressed), not enough sidewalks, crosswalks needing improvements and traffic congestion.
The senior center on Main Street is “in a poor location,” one man said.
On the topics of commercial development and city centers, the Derby Green, the historic Sterling Opera House and the courthouse topped the list.
Issues such as vacant and dilapidated buildings were discussed. Participants said downtown should become a destination,”with shops and movie theaters.” It needs to be made more walkable, residents said. Citizens said there needs to be “a draw for younger crowds” to the city center.
The final topic was housing, with beautiful architecture, single-family homes, and a mixed housing stock listed on the positive side.
Absentee landlords and blighted properties were brought up as negatives.
Karen Kemmesies, who has lived in Derby since 1977, said, she had hoped that more of the points raised during 2002 Plan of Development would have been put into place.
Kemmesies said the plan had called for establishing trusts for land purchases, but that idea never came to fruition.
She said the Conservation Commission and the Open Space Commission had both been disbanded when the plan was being developed.
She said there was more public participation in 2002. She also said Derby has wonderful offerings and wonderful people.
Jim and Michelle Calkins, owners of Seasonal Sweets and Catering at 101 Elizabeth St., said even though they live in Shelton, the future of Derby’s downtown will impact their business.
“We want to be instrumental” in that planning, Jim Calkins said.
Residents are urged to take a 33-question survey. Click here to take the survey.
Mayor Anita Dugatto said she was pleased with the three-forum exercise.
“People are seeing changes, and there is a good energy here,” she said.
Dugatto said she was looking forward to a report to be prepared from the Pace University Land Law Center summarizing the thoughts and concerns discussed in the sessions. The document is slated to be completed in May.
