Planning and Community Development

Planning & Community Development Department
Rob Watchilla
Director of Planning & Community Development
rwatchilla@townofware.com
|
Kristen Jacobsen Administrative Assistant to the PCD Dept. kjacobsen@townofware.com |
Contact the Planning & Community Development Department if you have questions or concerns
Open Space and Recreation Plan Survey
The Town of Ware needs your input! Do you often use parks such as Grenville Park or the Ware Dog Park? How about walking trails including the Ware Rail Trail? Maybe you enjoy fishing in the Swift River?
The Town of Ware would love your feedback on its parks, facilities, recreational areas/opportunities, and open space. The Planning & Community Development Department is working on updating the Town of Ware’s Open Space and Recreation Plan. This plan includes several ideas and strategies for the next 10 years of maintaining parks and rec facilities, water and open space resources, and even creating strategies to conserve more undeveloped land.
How do we come up with these strategies? With helpful feedback from the residents of Ware. The Planning & Community Development Department has created a survey which will be available for pickup in Town Hall, the Ware Senior Center, and the Young Men’s Library Association. This survey is also available by click the following link: https://qfreeaccountssjc1.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1O27h70qeR2NKoS.
The survey should only take 10 minutes of your time, and will be a tremendous help in our effort. Any questions or concerns you have can be directed to pcd@townofware.com
Beginning July 1, 2014, the Charter amendment (passed by Annual Town Meeting in 2013 and by ballot vote in April 2014), combined two departments creating the Planning & Community Development Department. The Charter amendment specifically addresses the Community Development Authority: There shall be a Community Development Authority which shall consist of five (5) members. All members shall be appointed by the Board of Selectmen for terms of three (3) years each, with terms staggered. The Community Development Authority shall have the following powers and duties: |
![]() |
|
Duties & Responsibilities:
The Planning and Community Development department is responsible for performing studies and preparing plans related to land use and development of the town, (including the Master Plan); to draft regulations which carry out those plans, and to administer said regulations (see the CD page for more on those efforts). The department includes, among others, the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals.
|
Planning & Community Development Department News
2022 Submittal Schedule Special Permits, Major Site Plan Reviews, Approval Not Required (ANRs), Preliminary Subdivision Plans, Definitive Subdivisions, Non-Conforming Special Permits, Variances, and Appeals. |
FEES All application fees and fees associated with public records requests must be paid by check or money order. We are unable to accept cash. |
Rules and Regulations of the Planning Board |
The Community Development Authority (CDA) meets the second Monday of each month at 6:30pm in the Selectmen's Meeting Room at Ware Town Hall (please check postings for current dates and cancellations). 2023 meeting Dates HERE Meeting Agendas HERE Meeting Minutes & Supporting Documents HERE |
The Planning Board meets on the first and third Thursday starting in 2020 of each month at 7:00 PM in the Selectmen's Meeting Room at Ware Town Hall (please check postings for current dates and cancellations). 2022 meeting Dates HERE Meeting Agendas HERE Meeting Minutes & Supporting Documents HERE |
The Zoning Board of Appeals meets as needed, at 7:00 PM in the Selectmen's Meeting Room at Ware Town Hall (please check postings for current dates and cancellations). Meeting Agendas HERE Meeting Minutes & Supporting Documents HERE |
To attend public hearings virtually:
Click HERE
Meeting ID: 784 604 1861
Passcode: 01082
Conservation Commission Meeting Information
2023 Meeting Dates and Deadlines - Click Here | Conservation Commission Zoom Information (May have to download Zoom File to participate in meeting) https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81196531224?pwd=L3BaUkJ6bTY3WFBjajV0d2NlWUUzUT09 Meeting ID: 811 9653 1224 Passcode: 01082 Phone Number by Location: (Please MUTE phones immediately) New York: 1-929-205-6099 Chicago: 1-312-626-6799 |
Links for Business |