MINUTES
Newtown Planning and Zoning Commission
Land Use Office Regular Meeting
Municipal Building December 17, 2009
3 Primrose Street, Newtown, Connecticut
Present: Ms. Dean; Ms. Brymer; Mr. Bloom; Mr. Mulholland and Mr. English. Alternates: Mr. Pozek and Mr. porco. Also present. George Benson, Land Use Director. Clerk: Ms. Wilkin
The meeting was opened at 7.30 p.m. Notice is made that the entire meeting was taped and can be heard in the Planning and Zoning Office, Municipal Building, 3 Primrose Street, Newtown, Connecticut
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION
APPPLICATION BY HUNTER RIDGE LLC FOR A 14 LOT RE-SUBDIVISION, 29.766 ACRES, AS SHOWN UPON A CERTAIN SET OF MAPS ENTITLED “RESUBDIVISION PLAN, LOTS 1, 6, 7 & PARCEL A, ROCHAMBEAU WOODS, PREPARED FOR HUNTER RIDGE LLC, MT. PLEASANT ROAD, U.S. ROUTE 6, NEWTOWN, CONNECTICUT” DATED JANUARY 3, 2005, LAST REVISED 10/1/09, SCALE 1” = 100’ FOR PROPERTY SHOWN ON THE ASSESSOR’S MAP 17, BLOCK 1, LOTS 22, 23, 24 AND 25
The Commission discussed a draft letter Ms. Dean had prepared to be sent to Judge Barbara Sheedy rendering their recommendations regarding any potential environmental damage as a result of this subdivision. There were some minor changes made. The final document will be mailed out immediately.
PUBLIC HEARING (Continued)
APPLICATION BY ATTORNEY ROBERT H. HALL FOR A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO TOWN OF NEWTOWN ZONING REGULATIONS AT SUBSECTIONS 8.01.612, 8.01.662 AND 8.01.211 AS CONTAINED IN A CERTAIN DOCUMENT ENTITLED “PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO NEWTOWN ZONING REGULATIONS TEMPORARY DIRECTIONAL SIGNS FOR PROJECTS CONTAINING UNITS FOR ELDERY FAMILIES”
Robert Hall, Esq., 43 Main Street, Newtown, Connecticut representing Toll Bros. Oak View Road, Newtown, developers of an elderly housing project distributed copies of his proposed regulation. They identified six potential sites to place their temporary signs, which would be removed as soon as the project sells out.
Dan Walton, VP Toll Bros. 29 Apple Blossom Lane, Newtown, Connecticut showed their brochure giving directions off Exit 10.
The Commission discussed the issue and were of the opinion that this was a commercial venture which could open up all sorts of signs by more organizations. Besides, some of the locations were on State owned land and therefore could not be approved by this Commission. Mr. Benson said they could not authorize signs on other people’s property.
The hearing was closed at 8:39 p.m.
Ms. Brymer moved the following:
BE IT RESOLVED by the Newtown Planning and Zoning Commission that the application by Attorney Robert H. Hall for a proposed amendment to the Town of Newtown Zoning Regulations at Subsections 8.01.612, 8.01.662 and 8.01.211 as contained in a certain document entitled “Proposed Amendment to Newtown Zoning Regulations Temporary Directional Signs for Projects Containing Units for Elderly Families”
SHALL BE DISAPPROVED as written
Seconded by Mr. Mulholland
Vote: Ms. Dean Yes
Mr. Bloom Yes
Ms. Brymer Yes
Mr. Mulholland Yes
Mr. English Yes
Motion approved
PUBLIC HEARING (Continued)
APPLICATION BY THE TOWN OF NEWTOWN PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION FOR A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE ZONING REGULATIONS AT ARTICLE X, SECTION 10.01.460 AND TO THE SUBDIVISION REULATIONS AT ARTICLE LLL, SECTION 3.03.800 PERTAINING TO ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORTS FOR SUBDIVISIONS AS CONTAINED IN A CERTAIN DOCUMENT ENTITLED “PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE TOWN OF NEWTOWN ZONING REGULATIONS, ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT RPORT FOR SUBDIVISIONS” DATED OCTOBER 15, 2009 AND REVISED 11/5/09
Mr. Benson distributed the final document and checklist that would be given to developers. The Town Attorney had approved the amendment.
Joseph Hammer, Esq., 242 Trumbull Street, Hartford, Connecticut representing Spencer Taylor of Taunton Lake supports the proposed regulation.
Wes Thompson, 190 Walnut Tree Hill Road, Newtown, Connecticut, member of the EDC received a copy of the proposed amendment and asked that the contents be interpreted as intended.
The hearing was closed at 9:07 p.m.
Ms. Brymer moved the following:
BE IT RESOLVED by the Newtown Planning and Zoning Commission that the application by this Commission for revisions to the Town of Newtown Zoning Regulations at Article X, Section 10.01.460 and to the Subdivision Regulations at Article lll, Section 3.03.800 pertaining to environmental impact reports for subdivisions as contained in a certain document entitled “Proposed Amendment to the Town of Newtown Zoning Regulations, Environmental Impact Report Subdivisions” dated October 16. 2009 and last revised 12/15/09
SHALL BE APPROVED
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the reasons for amendment the regulations are as follows:
To monitor/discourage conduct which has, or which is, reasonable likely to have the effect of unreasonably polluting, impairing or destroying the public trust in the air, water or other natural resources of the State.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the amendments are consistent with the Newtown Plan of Conservation and Development
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that these amendments shall be become effective on December 28, 2009.
Seconded by Mr. Mulholland
Vote: Ms. Dean Yes
Mr. Bloom Yes
Ms. Brymer Yes
Mr. Mulholland No
Mr. English Yes
Motion approved
MANDATORY REFERRAL
MANDATORY REFERRAL FROM THE BOROUGH OF NEWTOWN PER CSG 8-24 FOR APPLICATION FOR AMENDMENT TO SPECIAL EXCEPTION FOR ADDITION OF EGRESS STAIRS, 28 CHURCH HILL ROAD, NEWTOWN, CONNECTICUT
Mr. Benson explained the application for stairs purely as a safety measure. The Commission agreed that Ms. Dean should write a letter to the Borough recommending the application.
COMMUNICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE
LAND USE DIRECTOR’S COMMENTS
Mr. Benson had nothing to report
MINUTES
Voting on the minutes was postponed.
GENERAL DISCUSSION
Ms. Dean suggested that the Commission start discussing regulations regarding wind energy and windmills.
Mr. Benson advised that his intern did a nice report on impervious surfaces. He felt there should be new regulations including this.
Ms. Dean said that the 2010 census should be available 2011, at which time planning for the Plan of Economic Development should begin.
ADJOURNMENT
Ms. Dean made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Mr. Bloom. The vote was unanimous.
The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
| 
