To the Editor:
The announced closing of the ice cream store on Lyme Street has prompted many expressions of both disappointment, and concern and has even led to a broader based discussion regarding the economic viability of the town’s retail sector. This is very understandable since our town, as well as most others, is facing significant challenges due to a combination of forces. Among these are: the paradigm shift to online shopping, demographic changes, staffing issues, and the threat from a return of COVID or some other epidemic.
The [Old Lyme] Economic Development Commission, a few years back, adopted a process to address these economic challenges and to provide a systematic approach to reposition our economy for the future. This approach has served as the template for the Halls Road Improvement Committee and is being utilized by the Shoreline Gateway Committee. It can also be potentially adopted to address the future of Lyme Street.
There are five key steps to the process. The first is to draft a consensus-based VISION STATEMENT that clearly articulates the goals and results desired for the area of the town under review, including the extent of economic development the town is comfortable with, and the type of businesses it wishes to attract. CONSENSUS is developed by obtaining input from the residents, businesses,stakeholders and the town’s boards and commissions.
The next step is to generate a MASTER PLAN that details the process needed to actualize the vision statement, and turn the vision statement into reality. It should include input from experts in economic development to ensure the master plan is realistic and doable.
REVISING ZONING REGULATIONS is a key element, and once the master plan is completed, the Zoning Commission should consider revising the zoning regulations in order to conform with the master plan.
IMPLEMENTING the master plan is the final step in the process.
Without an organized systemic approach to economic development, we risk losing additional businesses and not attracting businesses that are inline with the needs and desires of the town’s residents. The success of this process also requires the collaboration of the appropriate boards and commissions as well as the input and leadership from the Board of Selectmen. We do have an overarching Plan of Conservation and Development that is useful as a guideline, but it is very broad and provides no mechanism to create and implement a master plan.
Visit this link to view the Halls Road Improvement Committee’s Q & A document [scroll down to the third paragraph.] It is a good example of the results achieved by utilizing an economic development process that includes starting with input from multiple sources, obtaining CONSENSUS, creating a VISION STATEMENT, and a MASTER PLAN, seeking ZONING REVISIONS, and IMPLEMENTING the master plan.
Sincerely,
Howard Margules,
Old Lyme.