Planning and Zoning
Bob Lavitt
Robert (“Bob”) Lavitt has resided in Granby for the past 24 years where he and his wife Cory have raised four wonderful kids. He is a graduate of the College of the University of Chicago and Boston University School of Law. Bob worked at Travelers for 15 years and now is in-house counsel with Amynta Surety Solutions in Glastonbury. Bob first served as an Alternate Member of the Planning and Zoning Commission for one year filling in when other members were absent and, two years ago, was elected to serve as a full member. Bob was previously the Planning Board Attorney of West Orange, New Jersey and has extensive experience in Land Use. Bob is committed to regulating the growth of Granby to ensure it remains a family friendly environment for years to come.
As a member of the Granby Planning and Zoning Commission my platform is simple: I will approach every single application fairly and on its own legal and factual merits without an agenda. Having lived in Granby for 24 years and raised four children here I have an intimate knowledge of Granby and its people and culture, and I will seek to preserve the historic rural character of Granby within the limits of Connecticut law.
I have been a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission for two years. The Planning and Zoning Commission actively reviews the Town’s ordinances including those pertaining to high density developments and multi-family housing. Further, Connecticut law and our current ordinances and procedures require architectural review of every new construction. This has been so for many years. Every Planning and Zoning meeting has a public session shortly after the Pledge of Allegiance where the public is invited to speak on matters of concern not on the agenda. Then when projects are on the agenda the public is invited to speak on those projects as well. The Town has been actively working to preserve farmland in cooperation with the Granby Land Trust.
Two things that I will not do however are to break Connecticut law or make promises to the people of Granby which would rely on violation of Connecticut law. Like many members of the Granby community, I have been concerned about the usurping of our powers by the State Siting Council and I support our current lawsuit regarding the proposed battery storage plant on our watershed.
With 38 years of legal experience and 24 years of living in Granby I feel that I am well suited to help shape Granby’s development in a manner that seeks to preserve the rural character of Granby but respects the law.
EriC Lukingbeal
Eric Lukingbeal was a trial lawyer for 40 years at Robinson & Cole in Hartford. He has been retired for ten years. During his years in Granby, he has served for more than 25 years on the Planning & Zoning Commission and 8 years on the Inland Wetlands and Watercourse Commission.
He is a board member and former president of Friends of Holcomb Farm, board member of Granby Land Trust, former board member and president of Connecticut Forest & Park Association. Eric is a UConn Master Gardener and served in the U.S. Army from 1967-70.
I’ve thought a lot about the values our land use rules should promote. They are the importance of maintaining a rural feel, a lot of quiet, and plenty of room for agriculture. It is unlikely that we will continue to grow most of our vegetables in California. We need to be ready to grow some of our food here.
These values can be strengthened by paying close attention to open spaces and to trees. Trees are important because our climate is changing, and their presence keeps us cooler. Our regulations should encourage planting more of them, and discourage cutting them. Our descendants will thank us.
As a town, we are off to a good start with thousands of acres preserved by McLean, Granby Land Trust, Enders, and by the Board of Selectmen’s wise decision to grant a conservation easement to the Land Trust on most of Holcomb Farm. My spouse Sally and I view our move to Granby over forty years ago as the luckiest event in our lives. I hope those who come after us feel the same way.
Meg Jabailey
Margaret "Meg" Jabaily moved to Granby five summers ago and has been amazed by the strength and compassion of the community. As the vice chair of the Town Center Advisory Committee, she has talked with many people who are deeply invested in Granby with unique, important perspectives. Meg has her master's in Design for Human Health from the Boston Architectural College. She is specifically interested in how the built environment can facilitate wellness and connection for individuals and groups of all ages. She believes that the Planning & Zoning Commission plays an integral role in making sure our community thrives. She looks forward to continuing to serve Granby as an alternate on Planning & Zoning.