The Peru Gazette

By Rodney Brown

Updated March 28, 2009. (A link to the Draft Open Space Plan appears at the end of Mr. Brown’s story)

On Tuesday, March 31^st at 7:00pm the Committee to Implement the Comprehensive Plan, along with consultant Nan Stolzenberg of Community Planning and Environmental Associates, will present a draft document titled “Town of Peru Open Space Plan” at the Peru Town Hall.  The meeting is open to anyone interested in learning more about the contents of the plan and its implications for the future of the Town.

The Town of Peru Comprehensive Plan, approved by the Town Board in 2005, indicated that open spaces and scenic views topped the list of strengths of Peru according to Peru residents.  The draft open space plan follows up on recommendations established in the Comprehensive Plan and sets forth a detailed plan of action to identify and protect the Town’s natural resources and other special environmental features.

Open Space is defined in the draft Plan as “land that is not intensively developed for residential, commercial, industrial or institutional use.”  Open spaces are forests, meadows, open fields, farmlands, floodplains, and other spaces that remain relatively undisturbed.  In many respects, open spaces play a large role in establishing the character of the Town, and a significant determinant in how people view the attractiveness of the Town.  In addition, some open spaces are important to the health of residents, such as those that protect our drinking water, and floodplains that if not developed, help to prevent flooding damage.

The draft Open Space Plan identifies parcels in the Town with significant resource and open space value, and offers a guide for the Town to follow to protect those open spaces.  Without a proactive approach it is likely that many important open spaces in the Town will be lost as growth and development continue to occur in Peru.  As a result, the character of the Town will change, and many of the resources that residents value may be lost or negatively impacted.  The draft Open Space Plan offers recommendations that will allow the Town to identify and protect those open spaces that are considered important to Town residents.

Residents are encouraged to attend the meeting on the draft Open Space Plan and learn how it may impact the future of the Town, and to provide comments on the recommendations included.

draft-open-space-plan