MINUTES
Newtown Planning and Zoning Commission
Land Use Office Regular Meeting
31 Pecks Lane, Newtown, Connecticut February 7, 2008
Present: Ms. Dean, Mr. Bloom, Ms. Brymer. Mr. Mulholland and Mr. English. Alternates: Mr. Belden and Mr. Carson. Also present: Ms. Stocker, Director of Planning and Community Development and George Benson, Land Use Director. Clerk: Ms. Wilkin
The meeting was opened at 7:30 p.m. 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
MANDATORY REFERRAL
REFERRAL UNDER CONNECTICUT GENERAL STATUTES SECTION 8-3b FROM THE TOWN OF EASTON PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION FOR AN APPLICATION FOR A SPECIAL PERMIT FOR A BOARDING STABLE FOR HORSES AND RIDING ACADEMY FOR HORSES AND RIDERS TO BE LOCATED AT 145 EDEN HILL ROAD, EASTON, CONNECTICUT
The reason for the referral is because the property abuts the Newtown town line. The Commission unanimously agreed that they had no problems with the application. Ms. Dean will write to the Easton Planning and Zoning Board advising them such.
CORRESPONDENCE/COMMUNICATIONS
DISCUSSION OF COMPREHENSIVE SIGNAGE PLAN FOR FAIRFIELD HILLS.
Ms. Stocker and Mr. Benson explained the necessity for these changes to the signage for this property only.
Bob Geckle, Chairman, Fairfield Hills Authority showed pictures of typical signs, which would be consistent throughout the entire campus. He agreed to go before the Architectural Review Board.
PUBLIC HEARING
APPLICATION BY THE TOWN OF NEWTOWN BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR SPECIAL EXCEPTION FOR EXPANSION OF THE NEWTOWN HIGH SCHOOL AS SHOWN ON A CERTAIN MAP ENTITLED “OVERALL SITE PLAN NEWTOWN HIGH SCHOOL ADDITIONS AND ALTERATIONS, ROUTE 34, NEWTOWN, CONNECTICUT” DATED DECEMBER 31, 2007, SCALE L” = 80’, ASSESSOR’S MAP 37, BLOCK 4, LOT 1
The hearing was opened at 7:55 p.m.
Ms. Brymer read the call for the hearing.
Ms. Dean read the correspondence in the file and asked to hear from the applicant.
Joe Costa, Architect, Fletcher-Thompson, Beechwood Avenue, Trumbull, Connecticut explained the proposed design of the changes.
Barry Blades, Landscape Architect, Blades & Govern, LLC., Corporate Drive, Shelton, Connecticut went through the parking, access ways and landscaping around the property with the aid of two site plans. The traffic flow was designed according to DOT requirements. There would be a gated access onto Oak View Road for emergency use only.
Jason Hiruo, Assistant Principal, Newtown High School, explained the proposed security procedures for the building.
Matthew Scully, P.E., CCA, 40 Old New Milford Road, Brookfield, Connecticut, went through the water, drainage, septic and other engineering issues. He addressed the Town Engineer’s comments. They went over the Aquifer Impact Assessment Report that showed no difference from what exists now.
Michael Galante, Frederick P. Clark Associates, Traffic Specialists, 41 Ruane Street, Fairfield, Connecticut had charts explaining the traffic study.
Ms. Dean asked to hear from the public.
Sharon Iban, 5 Oakview Road, Newtown, Connecticut was concerned about brush removal, retention of trees and run off. She was pleased that the emergency access would be gated and locked.
Diane Lauricella, EIG Environmental Innovations Group, 304 Main Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut, representing Laura Lauricela, 75 Castle Hill Road, Newtown, Connecticut wanted to know if this was going to be a low impact development. Her concern was to make the building as green as possible.
Peter Scott, 18 Mount Pleasant Road, Newtown, Connecticut asked if the traffic flow and parking could be improved.
Mr. Costa answered saying that the building is designed to be highly energy efficient. He also explained the illumination suggested.
Mr. Galante addressed the paving and the type of artificial turf suggested for the ball field.
Mr. Scully addressed the drainage concerns.
The hearing was closed at 9:32 p.m.
ACTION
Ms. Brymer moved the following:
BE IT RESOLVED by the Newtown Planning and Zoning Commission that the application by the Town of Newtown Board of Education for a special exception for the expansion and alterations of the Newtown High School as shown on a certain map entitled “Overall Site Plan Newtown High School Additions and Alterations, Route 34, Newtown, Connecticut” dated December 31, 2007, scale 1” = 80’, Assessor’s Map 37, Block 4, Lot 1
SHALL BE APPROVED with the following conditions:
1. That the exit access to the public way at the rear of the existing building be widened for emergency access as approved by the Newtown Fire Marshal;
2. That the emergency access drive to Oakview Drive installation will be approved by the Fire Marshall.
3. That best management practices shall be utilized for maintenance of the storm water management systems and for any appli8cations of pesticides, fertilizers or any other chemicals on the site. All aquifer protection standards will be followed.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Commission finds that the application will have no significant impact on the aquifer.
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 and that the application is consistent with the Farming and Residential R-2 zone.
Seconded by Mr. Bloom.
Vote: Ms. Dean Yes
Mr. Bloom Yes Ms. Brymer Yes
Mr. Mulholland Yes
Mr. English Yes
Motion approved
A recess was called at 9:40 p.m.
The meeting reconvened at 9:50 p.m.
CORRESTPONDENCE/COMMUNICATIONS (Continued)
DISCUSSION OF FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF 90 MOUNT PLEASANT ROAD (M2A)
Peter Scott, 18 Mount Pleasant Road, Newtown, Connecticut, architect and developer of the property wanted definitions of the M2A zone, particularly what small industry would be permitted. He also asked about setbacks on a private road that would traverse the entire length of the development. The Commission said that setback regulations would not apply to a private road. There was discussion about what type of industry would not be allowed.
Pat Napolitano, 13 Whippoorwill Road, Newtown, Connecticut did not thing that assembling cranes comes under the light industry definition.
DISCUSSION OF DRIVEWAY REGULATIONS CHANGES PROPOSED BY TOWN ENGINEER.
Apart from clarification of the first item, the Commission had no problem adding the changes to the regulations.
DISCUSSION OF DRIVE THROUGHS
Ms. Dean and Mr. Mulholland expressed strong feelings about drive throughs. They felt it would be unfair to existing business in town when applying for this convenience.
Robert Hall, Esq., 33 Main Street, Newtown, Connecticut, representing Robert Eshaghpour, Newtown Main LLC., who has a contract to acquire property on the corner of Wasserman way and Main Street to build a Walgreen’s Pharmacy with a drive through. He thought the time has come to allow drive through
The following was added to the Agenda:
DISCUSSION OF PENDING APPLICATION BY ANDY AND JUDY WIGGIN FOR PROPERTY LOCATED WITHIN THE SOUTH MAIN STREET DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT.
Mr. and Mrs. Wiggin showed the Commission what they planned to do with the property, which was to erect a barn style building at the back for a publishing office and conversion of the existing house into sundry business. The Commission liked the concept which will be scheduled for public hearing once they have received guidance from staff.
MINUTES
Ms. Bryner made a motion to approve the Minutes of January 3 and 17, 2008. Seconded by Mr. Mulholland. The vote was unanimous.
Ms. Dean advised the Commission of a meeting she, Miss Brymer, Mr. Benson and Ms. Stocker had with tom Smart of SMT who expressed concern about the biofuels project. There were numerous safety issues regarding this process.
Mr. Mulholland made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Mr. English.
Vote: Ms. Dean Yes
Mr. Bloom Yes Ms. Brymer Yes
Mr. Mulholland Yes
Mr. English Yes
Motion approved
The meeting adjourned at 11.04p.m.
Respectfully submitted
________________________
Jane Brymer, Secretary
| 
