MINUTES
Newtown Planning and Zoning Commission
SUBJECT TO APPROVAL
Land Use Office Regular Meeting
Council Chambers June 21, 2012
3 Primrose Street, Newtown, Connecticut
Present: Ms. Dean, Ms. Brymer, Mr. Porco and Mr. Swift. Alternate: Mr. Pozek seated for Mr. Swift. And Ms. Fillion. Also present: George Benson, Land Use Director. Clerk: Ms. Wilkin
The meeting was opened at 7.38 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
PUBLIC HEARING
APPLICATION BY NEWTOWN VOLUNTEER AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION, INC. FOR A SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN TO CONSTRUCT A NEW AMBULANCE FACILITY AT 46 KEATING FARMS AVENUE, FAIRFIELD HILLS CAMPUS, NEWTOWN, CONNECTICUT, AS SHOWN ON A CERTAIN SET OF DRAWINGS ENTITLED “NEW AMBULANCE FACILITY FOR THE NEWTOWN VOLUNTEER AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION” DATED MAY 31, 2012, SCALE 1” = 30’
Ms. Brymer read the call for the hearing.
Ms. Dean read the correspondence in the file and asked to hear from the applicant.
Representing the Newtown Ambulance Association were Dean Petrocelli, Architect, 3190 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, Connecticut and Donald Smith, Jr., Civil Engineer, 56 Greenwood Circle, Greenwood, Connecticut.
Mr. Smith submitted proof of mailing to abutters. With the aid of an overhead projector Mr. Smith gave a detailed presentation of the proposed facility. The site is on 1.2 acres of land on the Fairfield Hills campus with access to Wasserman Way. The building is 15,000 square foot comprising six ambulance bays, accommodation for the staff and first responders which will be locked from the public. There is a conference and meeting room on the second floor to be used as a training area as well as various town meetings, as required.
The driveway was reconfigured so that a minimum four trees will be removed. The parking lot off Washington Avenue will be gated so it will not be used as a cut-through. There will be ten parking spaces for the first responders and staff as well as two handicapped spaces. There will be approximately 40 other parking spaces. Water, sewer and gas will come in from Washington Avenue.
Mr. Smith addressed the letters from staff. His response to the Town Engineer’s comments that were distributed and market “A”.
Mr. Petrucelli explained that the building is designed to blend in with the existing structures on the campus. Lighting and curbing is planned to meet Fairfield Hills standards.
Michael Galante, Frederick P. Clark Associates, Inc., 41 Ruane Street, Fairfield, Connecticut. Traffic Consultant, explained his traffic analysis and accident counts over the last two three-year periods. All recommendations need to go through the State. They also need to submit the plan to the Police Commission for driveway approval.
Ms. Dean asked to hear from the public.
Deborra Zukowski, 4 Cornfield Ridge Road, Newtown, Connecticut asked about the psychology of speed if the speed limit was reduced on Wasserman Way.
Sal Manganaro, 160 Brushy Hill Road, Newtown, Connecticut was very impressed with the design. He asked if there was a back-up system in the event of a blackout. Mr. Smith answered that there would be back-up generators that would service the entire building.
Ms. Dean noted that the applicant still needs the approval of the Police Commission and the site plan needs Mr. Sibley’s and Mr. Benson’s approval. This will be noted in the Action. Mr. Benson noted that drainage issues would be handled in the field.
The hearing was closed at 8:55 p.m.
ACTION
Ms. Brymer moved the following:
BE IT RESOLVED by the Newtown Planning and Zoning commission that the application by Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Association, Inc. For a Site Development Plan to construct a new ambulance facility at 46 Keating Farms Avenue, Fairfield Hills Campus, Newtown, Connecticut as shown on a certain set of drawings entitled “New Ambulance Facility for the Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Association” dated May 31, 2012, scale 1” = 30’
SHALL BE APPROVED with the following stipulations:
That the Police Commission approves the driveway
That the landscape plan is approved by the Fairfield Hills Authority and Land Use staff
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the application is consistent with the purpose and intent of the town of Newtown Plan of Conservation and Development.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Commission finds that the application meets the standards and criteria for a special exception as set forth in Section 6 of the Zoning Regulations and the application to be consistent with the FHAR zone.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this approval shall become effective on July 2, 2012.
Seconded by Mr. Pozek.
Vote: Ms. Dean Yes Ms. Brymer
Yes
Mr. Porco Yes
Mr. Swift Yes
Mr. Pozek Yes
Motion approved.
The meeting was recessed
The meeting reconvened at 9:05 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
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 “PLAN OF CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT 2012 DRAFT ARTICLE V “ACHIEVING THE VISION: SPECIAL AND OVERLAY DISTRICTS AND CORRIDORS”, DATED MAY 17, 2012
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 “PLAN OF CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT 2012 DRAFT ARTICLE III “NEWTOWN IN PERSPECTIVE GROWTH, CHANGE AND TRENDS” DATED MAY 17. 2012
Ms. Dean read the call for both hearings and asked Ms. Brymer for an update.
Ms. Brymer said there was no progress since the last meeting.
Ms. Dean asked to hear from the public.
Dr. Neil Chaudhary, 1 Southbrook Lane, Newtown, Connecticut read from and submitted a statement. This is in the file and available to anyone wishing to read his comments. He expressed concern regarding the language pertaining to the South Main Street Design District regulations. Of particular concern was the fact that Southbrook Lane was included under these regulations, making it possible to convert residential houses not on Main Street into commercial buildings.
Ms. Dean appreciated his comments, which will be discussed. There are plans to revisit these regulations at a future date.
The hearing was closed at 9:23 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING (Continued)
APPLICATION BY THE TOWN OF NEWTOWN PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION FOR PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE ZONING REGULATIONS AT ARTICLE III, NEW SECTION 3.03, MULTIPLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AS CONTAINED IN A CERTAIN DOCUMENT DATED APRIL 12, 2012
This was not addressed at this time
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
This was not addressed at this time
COMMUNICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE
MINUTES
Mr. Swift made a motion to approve the Minutes of June 7, 2012 as submitted. Seconded by Mr. Pozek. The motion was approved unanimously.
LAND USE AGENCY DIRECTOR’S COMMENTS
Mr. Benson is preparing to consolidate the affordable housing regulations for public hearing at the next meeting.
Mr. Benson noted that he is beginning to receive many inquiries about having events at the Fairfield Hills campus. The Commission agreed with him that special regulations should be prepared to address circuses and carnivals for non-profit organizations only on the Fairfield Hills campus. He will write them up and distribute them for comment.
ADJOURNMENT
Ms. Fillion made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Mr. Pozek. The motion was unanimously approved.
The meeting adjourned at 9:29 p.m.
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