MINUTES
Newtown Planning and Zoning Commission
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Land Use Office Regular Meeting
31 Pecks Lane, Newtown, CT June 1, 2006
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Present: Mr. O’Neil, Chair
Mr. Wilson, Vice Chair
Ms. Dean, Secretary
Mr. Poulin
Ms. Brymer
Alternates: Mr. Mulholland
Mr. Bloom
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Clerk: Ms. Wilkin
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The meeting was opened at 7.36 p.m. Notice is made that the entire meeting was taped and can be heard in the Planning and Zoning Office, 31 Pecks Lane, Newtown, Connecticut
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MANDATORY REFERRAL
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MANDATORY REFERRAL FROM THE BOROUGH OF NEWTOWN FOR VILLAGE DISTRICT SPECIAL EXCEPTION AND SITE DEVELOPMENT PLANS APPLICATIONS FOR 33 CHURCH HILL ROAD, NEWTOWN, CONNECTICUT
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No-one was present to address this issue. Elizabeth Stocker, Director of Community Development joined the conversation. Traffic was the main concern. The Commission had reservations and would like to see the exit on The Boulevard. The O’Neil suggested writing a letter to the Borough expressing these concerns. The Commission unanimously agreed.
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DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION
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APPLICATION BY BASHERT DEVELOPERS, LLC FOR AN AMENDMENT TO A SPECIAL EXCEPTION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF 132 CONGEGATE AGE-RESTRICTED RESIDENTIAL UNITS AND 46 INDEPENDENT AGE-RESTRICTED TOWNHOUSE RESIDENTIAL UNITS, CLUBHOUSE AND ASSOCIATED IMPROVEMENTS, 12 POCONO ROAD, NEWTOWN, CONNECTICUT, ASSESSOR’S MAP #2, BLOCK #5, LOT 31-2
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The Commission was concerned about the laundry facilities. After an extensive discussion Ms. Dean moved the following:
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BE IT RESOLVED by the Newtown Planning and Zoning Commission that the application by Bashert Developers, LLC for a special exception to construct 132 congregate and 46 independent age restricted elderly housing units and related improvements as shown on a certain set of drawings prepared by Milone & MacBroom entitled “Woods at Newtown, 12-16 Pocono Road, Newtown, Connecticut” with various dates including a site plan dated November 8, 2005 and revised 2/9/06 and 4/6/06 and a set of architectural plans entitled “Proposed Woods at Newtown, Newtown, CT” prepared by Architectura dated 2/9/06 and revised last on 4/7/06 for property located on the Assessor’s Map #2, Block #5, Lot #31-32
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SHALL BE APPROVED with the following conditions:
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1.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ That the emergency access road to Pocono Road shall be maintained year round by the condominium association and shall be plowed in the winter.
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2.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ No construction traffic shall utilize the Pocono Road emergency access way during the construction phase of the development.
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3.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ That the private streets shall be maintained at the minimum typical width of 22 feet and that the service driveway/loading area shown next to the clubhouse may be 14 feet as shown on Sheet L1. The driveway to the entrance to the clubhouse shall be one way with appropriate signs
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4.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ That the applicant/developer shall contract an independent service or services for inspections of the utility installations, roadway construction, soil and sedimentation controls and best management practices. Such independent services shall have the necessary licenses to certify that work has been installed in compliance with the Newtown Road Ordinance and any other applicable local or state regulations and shall provide such certifications to the Town of Newtown. The applicant/developer shall provide contact information for such services to the Town Engineer and Land Use Office no less than 30 days before work commences upon the site.
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5.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ That prior to the installation of asphalt and rough grading of the roads, the circulation radius shall be subject to approval by the Newtown Fire Marshal and District Fire Chief.
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6.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ That prior to the receipt of a building permit, the applicant/developer shall submit a bond to the Land Use Office in the amount of $2,877,280 for the landscaping wetland mitigation, sediment and soil erosion controls and related site work as outlined in the March 24, 2006 Bond Estimate.
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7.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ That all site lighting shall be consistent with dark sky objectives and shall be shielded so they do not emit glare to neighboring properties and public roadways.
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8.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ That the project signs shall not be internally illuminated and lighting shall be consistent with dark sky objectives and shall not cause glare.
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9.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ That all dumpsters shall be fully enclosed, shielded from view and located upon a concrete paid.
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10.~~~~~~~~~~~~ That the trees between the back of building 5 and Pocono Road shall be protected and preserved.
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11.~~~~~~~~~~~~ That pocket doors shall be installed to separate the kitchen from the entrance hall in the independent living units.\
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Commission finds that the application meets the standards and criteria for a special exception as set forth in Sections 8.04.710 through 8.04.790 of the Zoning Regulations.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the application is consistent with the Elderly Housing (EH-10) Zone.
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Seconded by Ms. Brymer
Vote: Mr. O’Neil Yes
Ms. Dean Yes
Mr. Poulin Yes
Ms. Brymer Yes
Mr. Bloom Yes
Motion approved.
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PUBLIC HEARING
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APPLICATION BY SEVEN BERKSHIRE LLC FOR A TWO LOT SUB DIVISION OF 2.5 ACRES AND A SPECIAL EXCEPTION TO CONSTRUCT A 7,500 SQUARE FOOT BUILDING ON LOT A-2, 7 BERKSHIRE ROAD, SANDY HOOK, CONNECTICUT, ASSESSOR’S MAP #38, BLOCK #10, LOT #6
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The hearing was opened at 8:23 p.m.
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Ms. Dean read the call for the hearing.
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Mr. O’Neil red the correspondence in the file and asked to hear from the applicant.
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Larry Edwards, P.E., 227 Stepney Road, Easton, Connecticut detailed all aspects of the application, addressing staff comments. Revised plans were submitted.
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Mike Rizzo, applicant, 42 Old Farm Hill Road, Newtown, Connecticut stated that there is no-one currently interested in the space. He had met with the Architectural Review Board and made appropriate changes.
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Mr. O’Neil asked to hear from the public.
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Dominick Corsi, 1 Berkshire Road, Sandy Hook, Connecticut wants to see the drainage done properly.
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Mr. Edwards explained the drainage and traffic. He asked to have the hearing left open in order to finalize the fee in lieu of open space.
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Mr. O’Neil agreed to holding the hearing open.
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CORRESPONDENCE/COMMUNICATONS
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The Commission discussed changing the regulations as indicated on a sheet “Hearings on Regulation Changes” that was distributed to the Commission.
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Ms. Dean made a motion to approve the minutes of May 4, 2006 as submitted. Seconded by Mr. Brymer. The vote was unanimous.
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Ms. Dean made a motion to approve the minutes of May 18, 2006 as submitted. Seconded by Ms. Brymer. The vote was unanimous.
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Mr. O’Neil noted that the Monaco Properties is being readied for re-submission.
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Mr. Mulholland made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Mr. Bloom.
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Vote: Mr. O’Neil Yes
Mr. Wilson Yes
Ms. Dean Yes
Mr. Poulin Yes
Ms. Brymer Yes
Motion approved.
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The meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
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Respectfully submitted,
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Lilla Dean, Secretary
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