MINUTES
Newtown Planning and Zoning Commission
SUBJECT TO APPROVAL
Land Use Office Regular Meeting
Meeting Room #1 February 7, 2013
Primrose Street, Newtown, Connecticut
Present: Ms. Dean, Mr. Mulholland, Ms. Brymer, and Mr. Porco. Alternates: Mr. Spragg seated for Mr. Swift and Mr. Porco. 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
DISCUSSION
Bill Carboni, Spath Bjorklund, 593 Main Street, Monroe, Connecticut representing Ceres Earth Materials referred to a public hearing of July 19, 2012 allowing 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 at the DiDario Sand Pit, 25 Buttonshop Road. The DEP requires verification that leaf composting was a part of the approval. The Commission agreed and suggested Mr. Benson write a letter to the DEP notifying them of the Commission’s unanimous approval of adding leaf composting to the accepted uses.
PUBLIC HEARING
APPLICATION BY THE TOWN OF NEWTOWN PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION FOR A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE TOWN OF NEWTOWN ZONING REGULATIONS AT ARTICLE V. INDUSTRIAL ZONES, SECTION 7, SECTION 5.07.160 TO CHANGE THE CAPACITY OF “3,500 CUBIC FEET TO 4,050 CUBIC FEET” (PROPANE TANK SIZE) AS CONTAINED IN A DRAFT DOCUMENT DATED JANUARY 8, 2013.
The hearing was opened at 7:42 p.m.
Mr. Benson advised that this came about when Advanced Fusion was preparing to come before the Commission with an application. The regulation currently indicates 3,500 cubic foot capacity, which equals 26,182 gallons. Standard tanks are 30,000 gallons. The Fire Marshal uses 26,162 gallons and thinks it makes sense to change it from cubic foot to gallons. The Commission did not consider the change outrageous.
The hearing was closed at 7:56 p.m.
ACTION
Ms. Brymer moved the following:
BE IT RESOLVED by the Newtown Planning and Zoning Commission that the application by the Town of Newtown Planning and Zoning Commission for a proposed amendment to the Town of Newtown Zoning Regulations at Article V, Industrial Zones, Section 7, Section 5.07.160 to change the capacity of “3,500 cubic feet” to 30,000 gallons maximum capacity tank
SHALL BE APPROVED
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the amendments are consistent with the Town of Newtown Plan of Conservation and Development
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the amendments shall become effective on February 18. 2013
Seconded by Mr. Mulholland
Approved: Ms. Dean Yes
Mr. Mulholland Yes
Ms. Brymer Yes
Mr. Porco Yes
Mr. Spragg Yes
Motion approved.
COMMUNICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE
Ms. Dean advised that the election of officers should take place at the next meeting.
LAND USE AGENCY DIRECTOR’S COMMENTS
Mr. Benson had no comments for this meeting
APPLICATION BY THE TOWN OF NEWTOWN PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION FOR A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE TOWN OF NEWTOWN ZONING REGULATIONS AT SECTION 6.05.300 PERMITTED USES IN THE SANDY HOOK DESIGN DISTRICT TO ADD (14) AMUSEMENT PARK OWNED BY THE TOWN OF NEWTOWN” AS CONTAINED IN A DRAFT DOCUMENT DATED JANUARY 8, 2013
This application was withdrawn by the Planning and Zoning Commission on February 5, 2013
PUBLIC HEARING (Continued)
APPLICATION BY THE TOWN OF NEWTOWN PANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION FOR UPDATE TO THE TOWN OF NEWTOWN PLAN OF CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT
Mr. Porco distributed his section on Transportation. Ms. Dean confirmed that the Commission had received everything prepared to date. She, Ms. Brymer and Mr. Benson have been working on Conservation.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Mr. Spragg nominated Ms. Dean as Chair. Mr. Porco seconded. There were no other nominees. The nomination was unanimously approved.
Mr. Pozek nominated Mr. Mulholland as Vice-Chair. Mr. Porco seconded. There were no other nominees. The nomination was unanimously approved.
Mr. Porco nominated Ms. Brymer as Secretary. Seconded by Mr. Pozek. There were no other nominees. The nomination was unanimously approved.
COMMUNICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE
LAND USE AGENCY DIRECTOR’S COMMENTS
Mr. Benson noted that DOT approval had been received for the Newtown Ambulance Garage planned for Wasserman Way.
The former Lexington Gardens property had a similar delay because the DOT required a bike lane in front of the property. Mr. Benson wrote a letter to the DOT advising of insufficient room for a bike lane on Church Hill Road.
The Commission discussed how to get the DOT to respond a little faster because the delay sometimes discourages possible applicants. Ms. Dean suggested asking HVCEO to contact DOT on behalf of the entire region.
The application of the Shell gas station is going to be ready for the March 21, 2013 meeting.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Porco made a motion to approve the Minutes of January 17, 2013 as submitted. Seconded by Ms. Brymer. The motion was unanimously approved.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Pozek made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Mr. Porco. The motion was unanimously approved.
The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
| 
