MINUTES
Newtown Planning and Zoning Commission
SUBJECT TO APPROVAL
Land Use Office Regular Meeting
Council Chambers July 19, 2012
3 Primrose Street, Newtown, Connecticut
Present: Ms. Dean, Ms. Brymer, Mr. Mulholland and Mr. Swift. Alternates: Ms. Fillion seated for Mr. Porco, Mr. Pozek and Mr. Spragg. Also present: George Benson, Land Use Director. Clerk: Ms. Wilkin
The meeting was opened at 7.37 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 CERES EARTH MATERIALS FOR A SPECIAL EXCEPTION TO ALLOW A MATERIALS PROCESSING, STORAGE AND SALES OPERATION TO PROCESS EARTH MATERIALS INTO TOP SOIL AND MULCH AND TO GRIND STOCKPILED WOOD PRODUCTS INTO WOOD CHIPS. PROPERTY ADDRESS IS 253 SOUTH MAIL STREET/BUTTON SHOP ROAD AS SHOWN ON A CERTAIN SET OF PLANS ENTITLED “SITE IMPROVEMENTS IN NEWTOWN, CONNECTICUT PREPARED FOR CERES EARTH MATERIALS” DATED JUNE 6, 2012, REVISED 6/19/12, SCALE VARIOUS
Ms. Dean read the call for the hearing and the correspondence in the file, after which she asked to hear from the applicant.
Bill Carboni, Spath Bjorklund, 593 Main Street, Monroe, Connecticut, representing Ceres Earth Materials detailed the application with the aid of overhead maps. Because the property is in the Aquifer Protection District a special exception is required. Inland Wetlands and Conservation Commissions have approved the application. There will be no retail sales on site. Soil and mulch materials will be located in various places on site. There will be storage bins and precautions taken to prevent any possible runoffs. This is a sand and gravel site and therefore percolates quickly. The screener and grinder will not be permanent on the site.
Chris Genduso, Ceres Earth materials, 36 River Street, Bridgeport, Connecticut addressed questions regarding the materials that will be solely from wood and leaves. No grass will be included. Any coloring process will be done in the grinder. All are natural. Material will not have any added scents.
Mr. Carboni added that a dry hydrant will be installed within six months of receiving all necessary permits. Existing lighting will not change. The only odors emitted would be organic decomposition only.
Ms. Dean asked to hear from the public.
Fred Rugio 19 Cynthia Lane, Shelton, Connecticut, executor for Richard Rugio 29 Button Shop Road, Newtown, Connecticut asked about noise levels and truck traffic as well as the effect on property values.
Vince Cuocci, 30 Little Brook, Newtown, Connecticut asked what they could do in the event that there is residual smell or noise.
Ms. Dean said that fines are imposed and if not addressed a cease and desist order would be issued.
Mr. Carboni said that because the site has been sitting idly for years there should be no effect on property value. The only noise would come from the grinder and screener that would be behind a 30 ft hill that will act as a buffer. Their use would be intermittent. Trucks will exit out to Route 25 at the light. There is only one residence that would be affected. The use would be seasonal with two to six employees but manned all year.
The hearing was closed at 8:12 p.m.
ACTION
BE IT RESOLVED by the Newtown Planning and Zoning Commission that the application by CERES Earth Materials for a Special Exception to allow a materials processing, storage and sales operation to process earth materials into top soil and mulch and to grind stockpiled wood products into wood chips. Property address is 253 South Main Street/Button Shop Road as shown on a certain set of plans entitled “Site Improvements in Newtown, Connecticut prepared for CERES Earth Materials” dated June 6, 2012, revised 6/19/12, scale various
SHALL BE APPROVED
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 11 of the Zoning Regulations and the application is consistent with the M-1 zone.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this approval shall become effective on July 30, 2012.
Seconded by Mr. Mulholland
Vote: Ms. Dean Yes
Ms. Brymer Yes
Mr. Mulholland Yes
Mr. Swift Yes
Ms. Fillion Yes
Motion approved.
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
Ms. Brymer distributed the updated draft to be discussed at the next meeting. They have the Parks and Rec. report and have asked for more information from the Board of Education. There is a lot of information from the Volunteer Fire Department.
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
To be discussed at a later date.
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
To be discussed at a later date.
COMMUNICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE
A letter from the Town of Monroe Planning and Zoning Commission dated July 3, 2012 regarding Application Number 12-2-RAA was distributed to the Commission for comment and to be discussed at the next meeting. In the meantime the Commission unanimously agreed to respond indicating that they had no objection.
LAND USE AGENCY DIRECTOR’S COMMENTS
None at this time
MINUTES
Ms. Fillion moved to accept the Minutes of July 5, 2012 as submitted. Seconded by Mr. Pozek. The motion was unanimously approved.
ADJOURNMENT
Ms. Fillion made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Mr. Pozek. The motion was unanimously approved.
The meeting adjourned at 8:47 p.m.
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