Goshen
Planning and Zoning Commission
Regular MEETING for March 25, 2008 @ 7:30 P.M.
Town Hall Conference Room, 42 North Street
CALL TO ORDER: Mark Fraher (Chairman), Don Wilkes, Steven Cooney, Fred Zuck, Peter Kaufman, Lu-Ann Zbinden, Martin Connor, AICP
Absent: Primo Gugnoni, Lyle Sommers
PUBLIC HEARING: None
READING OF THE MINUTES: The Commission received and reviewed the minutes from February 26, 2008 Regular Meeting.
IN A MOTION made by Mr. Kaufman seconded by Ms. Zbinden it was voted to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes for February 26, 2008. Vote Unanimous
OLD BUSINESS
Mark Prause, 470 Sharon Turnpike, Special Permit to change non-conforming use from a Grange Hall to a Millwork and Fabrication Shop – Tabled until April 22, 2008
Ted Chadwick from Optiwind, Proposed new Regulation for Windmills, Towers, and Energy Producing Wind Devices – Tabled until April 22, 2008
IN A MOTION made by Mr. Kaufman, Seconded by Mr. Wilkes it was voted to move item 6 on the agenda to before item # 5. Vote unanimous
ZEO REPORT: The Commission received and reviewed the ZEO’S Report. Mr. Connor added to his report that he has submitted a letter to Chip Roraback, Town Attorney, to review the Proposed Regulation for Windmills, Towers, and Energy producing Wind Devices submitted by Optiwind.
IN A MOTION made by Mr. Kaufman, Seconded by Ms. Zbinden it was voted to accept the ZEO Report. Vote Unanimous
Mr. Connor recused himself from the following discussion and left the meeting at 7:46 P.M.
NEW BUSINESS
Review Litchfield Subdivision off Hemlock Hill Road – Bob Valentine, First Selectmen, and Chris Wood, AICP, were present to discuss this application. Bob Valentine addressed the Commission stating that he felt Mr. Connor had a conflict of interest on this matter since he had been a consultant of the developer on this matter. Mr. Valentine has hired Mr. Wood to be the Town of Goshen’s Planning Consultant on this Matter. Mr. Valentine Explained that this five lot subdivision was before the Litchfield Planning and Zoning presently and the public hearing had been continued until April 21, 2008. The entire subdivision is in Litchfield with the exception of approximately a 30 foot driveway which enters onto a Goshen Road, Hemlock Hill. Mr. Wood states that the driveway
exiting onto Hemlock Hill would have to meet Goshen Driveway Standards and that the Hemlock Hill would need to be upgraded to meet dirt road standards, which the developer is proposing to do. The developer has proposed to widen the road in Goshen to meet Goshen standards which is 16 ft., the road will be widened to 20 ft in Litchfield, currently the road is 12 ft. in both Litchfield and in Goshen. Mr. Wood has some concern over the different widths in the road. Mr. Wood states that although this is an intersection between a driveway and a road, the developer is planning on treating the intersection as though it is a road intersection and has proposed at least 350 ft. sightlines and plans on improving road to meet road intersection standards. Mr. Wood has submitted a report dated March 24, 2008 (See Attached) with some recommendations to the Town of Goshen. After reviewing the report with Mr. Wood the Commission feels that the two Municipalities, Goshen
and Litchfield, should work together to ensure that all the road repairs and drainage are done properly. Mr. Valentine addresses his concerns to the Commission regarding the Town of Goshen being able to collect a bond to ensure the work done properly on the road, as well as additional cost as far as regular and winter maintenance. Mr. Valentine also stated that in the 10 year plan to update Goshen’s dirt roads, Hemlock Hill is not in that plan. Mr. Wood brought up the idea that the Commission would like to ensure the rural character of the road and request that a conservation easement be added to the road. The Commission feels that it may be kept rural by nature and unsure what percentage is already being marked for open space. The Commission supports the First Selectman to represent the Town of Goshen to address the Town of Litchfield Planning and Zoning Commission and bring forward the recommendations that are mentioned in Chris
Wood’s report dated March 24, 2008 and feels these recommendations cover all of the concerns that were mentioned. Mr. Fraher along with Mr. Valentine feel that it should be put on the agenda of both Commissions in the future to have a regulation be put in place to handle this situation in the future. There are several roads in Town which have the potential to be similarly affected and any efforts to be made to be proactive to remedy this situation should be taken. The Commission and Mr. Valentine thanked Mr. Wood for his work in a timely manner.
Mr. Wood left the meeting at 8:40
Mr. Kaufman left the meeting at 8:40
Discussion ensued between Mr. Valentine and the Commission regarding the issue of the Zoning Officer/ Planning Consultant doing private outside consulting work.
CORRESPONDENCE: CT Wildlife, Clear Training, DEP- Colthurst rejection letter, LHCEO Town on Winchester Zone Change notice
ADJOURNMENT
IN A MOTION made by Ms. Zbinden seconded by Mr. Zuck it was voted to adjourn the meeting at 9:20 P.M. Vote unanimous
Respectfully Submitted
Rista Holda
Land Use Commission Clerk
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