NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Density Study & Development Rights aka “Splits” Map
Please take notice that the Town of Springfield will conduct a public hearing:
Saturday, January 28, 2023
10 a.m.-12 p.m.
at Springfield Town Hall
This public hearing is an opportunity to learn more about the Transfer of Development Rights program, view the new Splits Map, and ask questions about the determination.
The Town of Springfield under its Comprehensive Plan generally limits new development to a density of one dwelling unit per 35 acres held in single ownership as of April 16, 1979. Given the decades that have elapsed since 1979, the Town Board felt it was important to develop and maintain a tracking mechanism.
In 2022, the Springfield Town Board appointed an ad hoc Density Study Committee to guide preparation of maps depicting the number of development rights (commonly called “splits”) authorized and used on each 35+ acre 1979 farm in the Town. The maps are intended to help guide property owner, planning, and development decisions. Understanding a property’s development potential is critical to the Town’s land use planning, farmland preservation, and transfer of development rights programs.
As of November 2022, the maps were still in draft form, divided the Town in fourths, and are available for public review:
A public presentation and hearing will be held at the Springfield Town Hall on Saturday, January 28, 2023 between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. Before, during, and for two weeks after the hearing, owners and other interested parties can ask questions, get information on how authorized and used development rights were determined, and offer different opinions with evidence to help shape the maps. Once the maps are “finalized,” the Town Board will be asked to endorse them. Even after such endorsement, there will be a process to amend the maps if new or better information is uncovered later.
This Questions & Answers document provides more details.