MINUTES
Newtown Planning and Zoning Commission
Land Use Office Regular Meeting
31 Pecks Lane, Newtown, Connecticut June 18, 2009
Present: Ms. Dean; Mr. Bloom; Ms. Brymer, Mr. Mulholland and Mr. English. Alternate: Mr. Belden. Also present. George Benson, Land Use Director. Clerk: Ms. Wilkin
The meeting was opened at 7.35 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 REFERRALS
MANDATORY REFERRAL PER CGS 8-24 FROM THE BOROUGH OF NEWTOWN FOR APPLICATION FOR SPECIAL EXCEPTION, SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND VILLAGE DISTRICT APPROVALS BY YOUNG PROPERTIES, LLC, FOR CONSTRUCTION AT 25 CHURCH HILL ROAD, NEWTOWN, CONNECTICUT.
The Commission was familiar with this application, after which Ms. Dean made a motion to write to the Borough Commission supporting the referral. Seconded by Mr. Bloom. The vote was unanimous.
MANDATORY REFERRAL PER CGS 8-24 FROM THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN FOR TRANSFER OF THE #09-01 PROPERTY AS A DONATION TO THE TOWN OF NEWTOWN FOR THE COST OF “CLOSING” FEES
Ms. Dean made a motion to add the transfer of the #09-03 to the Agenda. Seconded by Mr. English. The vote was unanimous.
Robert Sibley described the two properties. The matter was endorsed by the Conservation Commission and came before the First Selectmen. He recommended its approval.
Mr. English made a motion to write to the Legislative Counsel approving the purchases. Seconded by Mr. Bloom. The vote was unanimous.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
APPLICATION BY EDWARD FALKENBERG – ACME REALTY FOR AN APPLICATION FOR A SPECIAL EXCEPTION TO CONSTRUCT A MIXED USE RETAIL/OFFICE BUILDING, 164 MOUNT PLEASANT ROAD, NEWTOWN, CONNECTICUT, AS SHOWN ON A CERTAIN MAP ENTITLED “SITE LAYOUT PLAN RETAIL AND OFFICE SPACE DEVELOPMENT, 164 MT PLEASANT ROAD, NEWTOWN, CONNECTICUT” DATED NOVEMBER 25, 2008, LAST REVISED 5/11/09, SCALE 1”=20’, ASSESSOR’S MAP 2, BLOCK 5, LOT 10
The hearing was opened at 7:44 p.m.
Ms. Brymer read the call for the hearing
Ms. Dean read the correspondence in the file, then asked to hear from the applicant.
Keith Beaver, Didona Associates, 70 North Street, Danbury, Connecticut explained the application and the intended uses. The application meets all zoning and wetland requirements. He detailed the various plantings to be planted. However, at Ms. Dean’s request he agreed to plant shade and hard wood trees, especially on the south side of the property. They will submit plans showing where the trees would be planted. Revised plans were submitted reflecting staff comments.
John McCoy, JFM Engineering, 440 Main Street, Ridgefield, Connecticut submitted a letter from the water company. They are waiting for a letter from the Sewer Commission approving the sewer hook-up.
Kevin Bennett, Sullivan & Bennett, Architects, 3 Pomperaug Office Park, Southbury, Connecticut described the design of the building. Although they would not be installing solar panels, they would be utilizing fuel-efficient materials.
Michael Galante, Frederick P. Clark Associates, Inc., Traffic Engineers, 41 Ruane Street, Fairfield, Connecticut explained the traffic study which was in the file. The application was approved by the Police Commission.
There was no public participation
The hearing was left open in order to receive confirmation that the EDC sent their approval to the Sewer Commission, as well as the Commission’s approval regarding the sewer hook-up and to receive the revised map showing where the additional trees would be located.
APPLICATION BY THE TOWN OF NEWTOWN PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION TO AMEND THE TOWN OF NEWTOWN ZONING REGULATIONS AT ARTICLE IV, SECTION 4 – ACCESSORY USES IN BUSINESS ZONES TO PERMIT DRIVE THROUGH WINDOWS AND PNEUMATIC DELIVERY STATIONS AS AN ACCESSORY USE TO A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION AND TO PERMIT DRIVE THROUGH WINDOWS AS AN ACCESSORY USE TO A PHARMACY AS WRITTEN IN A CERTAIN DOCUMENT ENTITLED “TOWN OF NEWTOWN PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION DRAFT AMENDMENT TO THE TOWN OF NEWTOWN ZONING REGULATIONS, ARTICLE IV. SECTION 4 – ACCESSORY USES IN BUSINESS ZONES” DATED MAP 21, 2009
This hearing was tabled
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION
POND PERMIT APPLICATION
APPLICATION BY NORMAL NAGY FOR A POND PERMIT FOR CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE OF COGER POND, COLD SPRING ROAD, NEWTOWN, CONNECTICUT
Larry Edwards, 227 Stepney Road, Easton, Connecticut, submitted revised plans. The dredged material would be disposed of on site. They are waiting to go before the Wetland Commission. There was a discussion about the necessity of the work.
The application was tabled until Inland Wetland approves it and staff reviews the revised plans.
COMMUNICATONS
MINUTES
Mr. Mulholland made a motion to approve the Minutes of May 21, 2009. Seconded by Mr. Bloom. The vote was unanimous.
Ms. Dean distributed a notice about meeting on access management pans for major roads coming into Newtown scheduled for June 24, 2009 at 12:30 p.m. She asked the Commissioners if they could attend.
Ms. Dean and Ms. Brymer had a second meeting on signage. They advised that Penn State was doing extensive research on the subject. which is not yet complete. They were discussing the possibility of small neon signs indicating OPEN and CLOSED, which would be easier for the public to ascertain whether or not a business is open.
LAND USE AGENCY DIRECTOR’S COMMENTS
Mr. Benson distributed an opinion letter from Cohen and Wolf on the Housatonic Railroad Solid Waste Rail Transfer Facility dated June 11, 2009. Once it has been approved by DEP they hope to eventually come before this Commission.
The Commission received a copy of a letter from Robert Dean, Acting Chairman of the Redding Planning and Zoning Commission to Frederick Engel, 9 Crickelwood Road, Redding, Connecticut dated June 11, 2009 regarding the bridge on Poverty Hollow Road.
Mr. Mulholland made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Mr. Bloom. The vote was unanimous.
The meeting was closed at 9:32 p.m.
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