A. INTRODUCTION
The Housatonic Valley Council of Elected Officials (HVCEO) serves as the state defined regional planning organization for the ten municipalities in the Housatonic Valley Region of Connecticut.
It
has created a set of digital planning maps for the area.
The maps in this system were created for internal use by HVCEO,
the Housatonic Valley Economic
Development Partnership (HVEDP), and the
member municipalities. However, as government maps they are public property and
HVCEO encourages their use. This public access guide describes the maps available and how to request them.
While every effort to insure the accuracy of data is continually made, the following qualification applies to all map data released through HVCEO; "The information displayed remains generalized and is not suitable for site level planning, nor does it constitute a standard, specification or regulation. HVCEO
assume no liability for errors or omissions."
B. INVENTORY OF MAPS AVAILABLE
The available map resources as developed to date include those listed below with details as to each map following:
B1.
MOST BASIC MAPS ("BASE MAPS")
B2. AERIAL PHOTOS BY THE U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
B3. REGIONAL LAND USE MAP
B4. COMPOSITE OF MUNICIPAL ZONING MAPS
B5.
MUNICIPAL PARCEL (TAX) MAPS
B6.
USGS TOPOGRAPHY
B7.
DRAINAGE BASINS
B8.
HART PUBLIC BUS ROUTES
B9.
Conn DOT CLASSIFICATION OF ROADS
B10.
HVCEO
REGIONAL GROWTH GUIDE MAP
B11.
AQUIFERS
B12.
100 YEAR FLOOD PLAIN
B13. EXISTING AND PROPOSED WALKING TRAILS
B14. TRIP GENERATORS
B1.
MOST BASIC MAPS ("BASE MAPS"):
These
are the most fundamental maps in the series, upon which other data
layers are most commonly displayed. Roads: Depicts all local and state roadways and railroads in black. Road names are also available.
Watercourses and Water
Bodies: Printed in blue. Water feature names are also available. Municipal and Regional
Boundaries: Outline of municipal boundaries which constitute the Housatonic Valley Region.
B2. AERIAL
DIGITAL ORTHO PHOTOS
BY THE
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY:
These aerial
photos are
public domain digital orthophotos obtained from the U. S. Geological Survey. They
have been converted from their original JPEG
format to MapInfo format. They
are commonly referred to as
"Digital Aerial Quarter Quads"
(DOQQ's).
Each
DOQQ photo covers
one quarter of a standard U. S.
Geological Survey (USGS) quad sheet and
were taken in 1991. These photos are useful for examining site vicinity and overall landscape at the neighborhood level. However, the resolution and degree of detail is limited, making this photo insufficient for site scale planning.
DOQQ's for the entire state can be downloaded at no charge from the University
of Connecticut Map and Geographic
Information Center web site. If
you do not have the capacity to print
DOQQ's of this Region, prints are
available from HVCEO's map set for a
fee.
B3.
REGIONAL LAND USE MAP:
The
Regional Land Use Map shows the use of land as of 1991, with updating in selected municipalities. The 1991 data was prepared by HVCEO consultant John Hayes of Redding, CT. Land Use data may be displayed over the HVCEO roads base map.
A different color is used for each of the 14 land use categories, such that land development patterns and remaining vacant land in each municipality are clearly identified. The land use map is one file/table (not 14 separate layers) with land use polygons/regions coded by land use category. This file is opened in MapInfo as a thematic map. A land use legend is also available to indicate land use categories by color.
Standard land use coding colors are used including purple for industry, red for commercial, varying residential densities using brown for high density descending through ochre and yellow to lower residential density, green for parks, etc. The Land Use Map should not be confused with either zoning or future land use (plan of development) maps. The Regional Land Use Map includes the following fourteen categories;
RESIDENTIAL USE BY AVERAGE LOT SIZE:
1. LESS THAN 1/8 ACRE OR MULTI-FAMILY
2. 1/8 ACRE TO LESS THAN 1/2 ACRE
3. 1/2 ACRE TO LESS THAN 2 ACRES
4. 2 ACRES OR MORE
NON-RESIDENTIAL USES:
5. INDUSTRIAL
6. COMMERCIAL OR OFFICE
7. INSTITUTIONAL
8. UTILITY OR TRANSPORTATION
9. QUARRY OR GRAVEL MINE
VACANT AND OPEN LAND USES:
10. PARKS AND OPEN SPACE
11. AGRICULTURAL
12. MAJOR WETLANDS
13. VACANT LAND
14. WATER BODIES
B4.
COMPOSITE OF
MUNICIPAL ZONING
MAPS:
A composite of the ten municipal zoning maps as of 1995 is shown, displayed over the Roadway Base Map. A complete update of this map has been contracted to consultant John Hayes and is due in
2001.
As zoning is used to guide the development of land use, as on the
Regional Land Use Map standard colors are used including purple for industry, red for commercial, etc.
The zoning map is comprised
of 9 separate map layers indicating zoning
categories, which can be overlaid with
HVCEO road base maps. A zoning map legend is also available to indicate zoning categories by color.
While all municipal zoning boundaries are included on the map (in red), for color display purposes all zoning districts have been grouped into the following nine colored categories;
1. COMMERCIAL ZONING
2. INDUSTRIAL ZONING
3. RESIDENTIAL ZONING:
LESS THAN 5,000 SQ. FT. PER UNIT
4. RESIDENTIAL ZONING:
5,000 TO 9,999 SQ. FT. PER UNIT
5. RESIDENTIAL ZONING: 10,000 TO 19,999 SQ. FT. PER UNIT
6. RESIDENTIAL ZONING: 20,000 TO 39,999 SQ. FT. PER UNIT
7. RESIDENTIAL ZONING: 40,000 TO 79,999 SQ. FT. PER UNIT
8. RESIDENTIAL ZONING: 80,000 TO 119,999 SQ. FT. PER UNIT
9. RESIDENTIAL ZONING:120,000 OR MORE SQ. FT. PER UNIT
These maps are useful as introductions to municipalities and their regulatory layout. As they are presented as a secondary source a qualification necessarily appears on each map, stating that it is "For use only as a generalized display. Contact the municipal zoning office for the official and more up to date version of the zoning map."
B5. MUNICIPAL PARCEL
(TAX) MAPS:
Municipal Parcel Maps exist for eight of HVCEO's 10
municipalities, all but Bridgewater and
Newtown where they have not yet been
created. These maps are municipal
products and were not created by HVCEO, nor are they updated by HVCEO. However, where a municipality has prepared a digital parcel map (also known as a property boundary map or tax map) a copy is
forwarded to the the HVCEO Map Center and
copies are thereafter available from HVCEO.
These Municipal Parcel Maps (with the exception of the Bethel Parcel Map) can be displayed over the other HVCEO data layers described herein. As of
11/2000 Municipal Parcel Maps are available at HVCEO for Bethel (not
yet aligned to HVCEO's regional base maps), Brookfield, Danbury, New Fairfield, New Milford, Redding, Ridgefield and Sherman.
B6. TOPOGRAPHY:
Topography Maps consist of a display of contour lines spaced at ten foot vertical intervals, as obtained from U.S. Geological Survey maps. The pattern of hills, valleys and relative steepness of the landscape is shown.
This data is useful for assessing site vicinity, development potential and general environmental issues. Roads from the HVCEO Roadway Base Map are displayed over the Topography Map in red color to provide contrast with topography lines in black. Water courses and water bodies in blue can also be added, and drainage basins can be added in aqua.
Warning: The Topography Map is not suitable for detailed site planning when "blown up" to a very large scale. To do so is a misuse of the data. Interpolation between contour lines is not possible. The Topography Map is not a substitute where site scale field-run topo data is needed. This is a raster file (rows of dots and .TIFF format) rather than a vector file (points and connecting lines).
Also of interest are older USGS Topographic Maps, valuable for their documentation of land use and roadway changes in the Region. These can be accessed below:
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B7. DRAINAGE BASINS:
This map was obtained from the CT DEP and displays the division of municipalities into natural drainage areas. It is often displayed over the Topography Map, from which it was originally derived by CT DEP.
B8. HART PUBLIC BUS ROUTES:
This map identifies the fixed daily local bus routes operated by the Housatonic Area Regional Transit District (HART). These routes are centered upon Danbury, with extensions into Bethel,
Brookfield and New Milford. This data layer is best displayed over the Base Map or Aerial Photo.
B9.
CONN DOT CLASSIFICATION OF ROADS:
Shown are principal arterials
(in blue), minor arterials (in green), urban collector and rural major collector
(in red), rural minor collector (in
yellow), and local roadways (black), as officially classified for our
our region of Connecticut by the CT Department of Transportation.
This map displays the hierarchy or roadway functions, with greater volumes and thru traffic expected on the more highly classified roads. The information on the
Conn DOT Classification of Roadways Map is a variable that may affect the development potential of adjacent property
frontage and the intensity of
development permitted.
B10. HVCEO GROWTH GUIDE MAP:
This map shows the advisory regional growth plan for the area as required by state statute and updated by HVCEO in 1997. It does not show existing features, but rather the most desirable future intensity, thus guiding growth to the most suitable locations. The Growth Guide Map divides the entire land area of the Region into the following eight planning policy categories:
1. REGIONAL CENTER
2. NEAR CENTRAL DEVELOPED AREAS
3. PRIMARY GROWTH AREA: NEAR TERM
4. PRIMARY GROWTH AREA: LONG TERM
5. PRIMARY GROWTH AREA: WATERSHED
6. LOWER DENSITY NEIGHBORHOOD AREAS
7. SEMI-RURAL REMOTE AREAS
8. SMALL COMMUNITY CENTERS
B11. AQUIFERS:
Shown on the Aquifers Map are the boundaries for state mandated stratified drift aquifer protection areas.
These are the "Level B"
methodology, indicating preliminary mapping of well drawdown and recharge
areas as required by state law for Bethel, Danbury, New Milford, Newtown and Ridgefield. These Level B areas contain water supply well fields used for public supply purposes.
In time they will be superseded by more
definitive "Level A" maps.
Also shown are other stratified drift aquifers that are not state mandated for protection but that are currently protected as existing or future resources by local zoning regulations. These include Brookfield's Gallows Hill and Still River Middle Aquifers, and Ridgefield's Upper Titicus and Northern Great Swamp Aquifers.
B12. 100 YEAR FLOOD PLAIN:
This map displays 100
year frequency flood height information from data supplied by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The map can be used for floodplain management, risk assessment and general planning purposes.
The Flood Insurance Agency recommends that determinations for flood insurance purposes generally be made only when the subject structure is located 250 or more feet outside of the 100 Year Floodplain boundary. The quality, accuracy and reasonableness of any applications developed using this data are the sole responsibility of the end user.
B13. EXISTING AND PROPOSED WALKING TRAILS:
The development of this data layer is in progress. The goal is to facilitate development and linkage of more trails.
B14.TRIP GENERATORS:
These maps include all the features listed in the Land Use Tables, which show by municipality all major employers, corporate offices, retail centers, apartments and condominiums, schools, places of worship and institutions.
The
source is Housatonic Area Regional
Transit District (HART) research for
transportation planning completed in
2000. As geographic coordinates were
developed for each building in the
inventory, locations for these land use
features can be displayed on municipal
and regional maps.
C. HOW TO MAKE YOUR REQUEST
Map requests should be directed
to George Blake at gblake@hvceo.org,
HVCEO's Geographic Information Systems Manager, at 203-775-6256.
When ordering, maps can be printed at several different sizes. It is important to discuss the specifics of your mapping needs. You may wish to maximize the size of your maps for ease of viewing the information displayed. Paper copies at the following sizes can be requested;
SIZE A: 8.5 by 11 inches
SIZE B: 11 by 17 inches
SIZE C: 18 by 24 inches
SIZE D: 24 by 36 inches
SIZE E: 36 by 48 inches
Most maps can be displayed at a relatively small scale, thereby allowing the entire Region of ten municipalities to fit on one large Size E (36 by 48 inch) map. However, this necessarily makes the information smaller, and may be less useful to you than a map blown up to show just one or two municipalities.
Or, you may want to request a "windowing in" to a specific subsection of a municipality, expanded to a large scale on the Size E or other map dimension selected. Some typical scales frequently requested are as follows:
SMALL SCALE: 1 inch equals 2500 feet
MEDIUM SCALE: 1 inch equals 500 to 2500 feet
LARGE SCALE: 1 inch equals 25 to 500 feet
In some cases it is possible to significantly reduce your costs by printing two variables from the list below on the same map, one overlaying the other in a different color, if the information they contain does not conflict. Our staff is ready to discuss these issues with you and to help you plan your request to maximize the value of the maps.
As an option for those with the equipment to make use of it,
various maps can be purchased in digital format
and delivered on CD-ROM.
D. COST AND PAYMENT
There are no charges for governmental units when the maps are used for public purposes. There are no charges to municipal commission members, libraries, etc. operating within the Region or to outside governmental units when conducting research activities involving this area.
The cost for private parties is $30 per map copy, regardless of map size or the number of layers of information shown. Postage costs are included within this amount.
Very small files can be emailed at no
charge.
The
full purchase option contains about 190 MB of uncompressed information
and can be provided in your choice of three digital formats;
1) MapInfo file format for other MapInfo Geographic Information
Systems (GIS), 2) .MIF file format for non-MapInfo GIS systems,
and 3) .DXF file format for Computer Assisted Drawing (CAD)
systems.
Digital files
will be made available to you on standard CD-ROM. CD-ROM's
are $30 each. All
map sales require either advance payment or payment upon pick-up.
At your request orders will be mailed, this at no additional
charge. Please
make out all checks to "HVCEO."
E. USE OF MAPS IN GIS APPLICATIONS
Maps of the variables listed above are fundamental to many business and governmental operations.
However, a broader use of this data is in what is known as "GIS" applications, that term standing for Geographic Information System. GIS is computer based technology for the management, display and analysis of information which has a geographic
reference and a data base capacity built
in.
To obtain from us a paper copy of one of the maps described above is to participate in the display capabilities of GIS. However, analysis capability is more complex, requiring receipt of the map data in digital form, and then its processing by one of the several GIS software programs available. GIS analysis results can be in the form of acreage calculations, environmental considerations, traffic analysis, proximity analysis, competitive advantage factors, enhancement of emergency response, etc.
Use of HVCEO's digital map resources for your own personalized GIS applications is encouraged. Questions? Please call George Hefferon, GIS Manager at 203-775-6256 or email him at ghefferon@hvceo.org.
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