MINUTES
Newtown Planning and Zoning Commission
Land Use Office Regular Meeting
Municipal Building April 7, 2011
3 Primrose Street, Newtown, Connecticut
Present: Ms. Dean; Ms. Brymer; Mr. Bloom and Mr. Mulholland. Alternate: Mr. Pozek seated for Mr. Poulin and Mr. Cruson Also present: George Benson, Land Use Director.
Clerk: Ms. Wilkin
The meeting was opened at 7.32 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
MANDATORY REFERRAL
MANDATORY REFERRAL UNDER CGS 8-24 FROM THE BOROUGH OF NEWTOWN ZONING REGULATIONS TO ADD SECTION PERTAINING TO SECTIONS 2.16D, 4.05, 4.06, 4.10A, 4.10F AND TABLE IN ARTICLE 5
The Commission discussed this at a prior meeting. Requested information has been received. The changes pertain to a request for a veterinary hospital in the Borough. Ms. Dean will notify the Borough that the Commission unanimously approves the additions.
PUBLIC HEARING
APPLICATION BY THE TOWN OF NEWTOWN PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION FOR A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE VI, SECTION 3, SPECIAL DISTRICTS, FAIRFIELD HILLS ADAPTIVE REUSE (FHAR) ZONE FOR A RE-INTRODUCTION OF THE ORIGINAL 1998-2005 FHAR REGULATION THAT ALLOWED MULTIPLE FAMILY DWELINGS AS PERMITED USE #22 AND 2005 FHAR REGULATION THAT ALLOWED REUSE OF SINGLE FAMILY HOMES FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING AS PERMITTED USE #22, AS NOTED IN A CERTAIN DOCUMENT ENTITLED “AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE VI – SPECIAL DISTRICTS, SECTION 3 – THE FAIRFIELD HILLS ADAPTIVE REUSE (FHAR)” DATED FEBRUARY 2, 2011
Ms. Dean read the call for the hearing and the correspondence in the file, including an e-mail from Robert Geckle, former chair of the Fairfield Hills Master Plan Committee and former Chair of the Fairfield Hills Authority. She explained the procedure to be taken for the hearing, noting that all pertinent information can be obtained on line. The Regulation covers FHAR and State Statutes regarding affordable and multi-family housing. Members of the public who had signed up to speak were called before opening up the floor to anyone else wishing to comment.
G.M. Brooks, 38 100 Acre Road as in favor of affordable housing for the same reason he voted to purchase the campus. He said there is a need for playing fields and parking. Cochran House was originally planned to be demolished.
John Vegi, 4 Orchard Hill Road decided not to comment
Brian Scovin, 8 Nunnawauk Road was opposed to the application. He said the property could be used for more useful activities for the town than affordable housing.
Al Cramer, 5 Partridge Lane had five questions, which he submitted to the file. The Commission will address them later.
David Steiner, 6 Nunnawauk Road was opposed to apartment housing. He asked if two family houses on quarter acre lots could be considered. He was concerned about traffic.
Patricia Wooton, 24 Mile Hill Road South was opposed. She said that this is the ugliest house on the campus. She would prefer to see playing fields.
Fred Kelley, 12 Nunnawauk Road was opposed noting the additional stress on the sewer capacity and water supply.
Robert Kresky, 34 Mile Hill Road South was opposed. Ms. Dean explained that there is currently no plan in place. This is just a preliminary step.
Marc Michaud, 78 Narraganset Trail was opposed to any housing on the Fairfield Hills campus. He was concerned about the effect this would have on the aquifer and traffic. He felt this would be an open door to more building. Mr. Benson advised that this was not in the Aquifer Protection district.
Mary Curran, 41 Cold Spring Road would prefer to see the campus preserved for town use. She asked that the decision could be postponed till the current Fairfield Hills study is complete.
Diana Merwin, 11 Oak View Road was opposed, preferring instead to see a nature center for educational programs. She would like to see Cochran House torn down.
Jane Glander, 17 Pond Brook Road said that this would create a parking problem and would render Glander Fields useless. She was opposed to any kind of housing.
Merritt Saunders, 2 Pumpkin Lane was opposed, citing costs and traffic. He thought this was premature, stating that this should be a collaborative effort with the Fairfield Hills Committee. He would like to have a town meeting. He said the fields are part of the town identity.
Deborra Zuckowsi, 24 Cornfield Ridge Road, not speaking as part of the Fairfield Hills Authority Committee suggested that this was changing the Master Plan. She suggested the Commission waits till a town-wide survey had been conducted.
Robin Fitzgerald, 24 Old Farm Hill Road was opposed to high density housing in Fairfield Hills. He was concerned that once the zoning was changed it could not be reversed.
James Walsh, 3 North Ridge Road was opposed to housing at Fairfield Hills. He felt this could affect the future of the town.
Ruby Johnson, 16 Chestnut Hill Road submitted a map and statement explaining alternative use of the property. She felt there was no room for housing and therefore opposed the application. She preferred to wait for the Fairfield Hills Review Committee’s survey.
Robert Hall, 5 Nettleton Avenue was opposed on procedural grounds. He said that regulation changes should only be considered when there is an actual proposal before the Commission.
Joe Carino, 52 Jeremiah Road was opposed. He would prefer to keep the property for playing fields.
Donna Randall, 4 Aaron Lane was opposed. There is no parking for playing fields. She would prefer to see Cochran House torn down. She added that this would ruin the fields.
Paul Murray, 38 Charter Ridge was opposed, stating that he felt the hearing to be premature.
David Kingsley, 20 Maltbee Road was opposed. He did not think an issue such as this should be decided by three selectman but should be opened to a town-wide vote. He also asked why now.
Chris Spero, 12 Grand Place was opposed.
James Wolff, 29 Key Rock Road was opposed because it would take away parking. He felt the process was running ahead of where it should be suggesting that the Commission wait for the Review Committee’s report from town.
Andrew Willie, 51 Butterfield Road, member of the Fairfield Hills Authority was opposed. He felt the Commission should wait to hear what the Review Committee says.
Kevin Fitzgerald, 24 Old Farm Hill Road was opposed. He felt the Master Plan should be completed first. He would like to see a town hall meeting. He questioned why this property should not be used for open space when the town is purchasing open space elsewhere in town. He would like to keep the property restricted as it is.
Elizabeth Lincoln, 24 Echo Valley Road was opposed. She would like to keep a centralized open space.
There were no more comments.
Ms. Dean said the hearing will be continued at the May 5, 2011 meeting.
The meeting recessed at 9:02 p.m.
The meeting reconvened at 9:15 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING (Continued)
APPLICATION BY THE TOWN OF NEWTOWN PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION FOR UPDATE TO THE TOWN OF NEWTOWN PLAN OF CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT AS CONTAINED IN A DRAFT DOCUMENT ENTITLED “SECTIONS OF THE WORKING DRAFT TOWN OF NEWTOWN PLAN OF CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT 2010 SANDY HOOK DESIGN DISTRICT DRAFT - HAWLEYVILLE CENTER DESIGN DISTRICT DRAFT - SOUTH MAIN STREET DESIGN DISTRICT DRAFT”.
This was tabled for a future date
LAND USE AGENCY DIRECTOR’S COMMENTS
Mr. Benson had no comments
MINUTES
Mr. Bloom made a motion to approve the Minutes of March 17, 2011 with the following corrections:
Page 1 – Third item of Communication/Correspondence. The date should be March 31, 2011 not August 31, 2011
Page 2 – Last paragraph beginning “The development… the word One should be changed to Once...”
Page 3 – First paragraph add “the changes to the Sandy Hook Design District were indicated on the map.”
Seconded by Ms. Brymer. The vote was unanimously approved.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Pozek made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Mr. Bloom. The vote was unanimously approved.
The meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
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