Town of
North Stonington, CT
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
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REGULAR MEETING
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2009 – 7:00 P.M.
New Town Hall
Conference Room
40 Main Street
North Stonington, CT 06359
Minutes Approved ~ August 6, 2009
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER: Chairman Stewart called the Regular Meeting of the North Stonington Planning & Zoning Commission to order on Thursday, July 2, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at the New Town Hall, Conference Room.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: G. Russell Stewart, III, Chairman, Louis E. Steinbrecher, Vice-Chairman,Vilma Gregoropoulos, Secretary, Elaine Boissevain, Joe Siner and Alternate Member Duncan Schweitzer
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Alternate Members Susan Grufstedt and Ann Brown
STAFF PRESENT: Sr. Planner/ZEO Juliet Leeming and Administrative Assistant Cheryl Konsavitch
2. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: None
3. PUBLIC COMMENT: None
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A. SPEC #09-025 (Special Permit) Application of Stonington Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, c/o Ronald Sherman, 135 Liberty Street, Pawcatuck, CT 06379 to construct a 175 person occupancy House of Worship on property located at 530 Providence-New London Turnpike, North Stonington, CT 06359 Tax Map #112, Parcel #7791 (NO ACTION NEEDED; PH opened on
5/07/09 & continued to 6/04/09 & extended to7/02/09; Received on 4/09/09 & PH to close on or by 8/14/09)
B. SPEC #09-046 & SPEC-APOA #09-047(Special Permit & Aquifer Overlay) Application of North Stonington Properties, L.L.C., P.O. Box 205, North Stonington, CT 06359 for a Medical Clinic in the Aquifer Protection Overlay Area at property located at 183 Providence-New London Turnpike, North Stonington, CT 06359 in the OR Zone. Tax Map #117, Parcel #4737/6953 (PH scheduled for 7/02/09;
Received on 6/11/09 & PH must close on or by 8/05/09)
Secretary Gregoropoulos read the applications into the record which both Special Permits will be heard concurrently.
Janet Fiore representing the applicant was present for this application.
ZEO Leeming went over her review of this application stating that the application is to change existing office buildings into a medical clinic on an 8.05 acre consolidated parcel in the OR Zone. There will be no alteration to the existing footprint of the building, with the exception of the addition of an elevator to comply with the ADA. There are no changes to the parking, site access, lighting, drainage systems or water and septic systems. The landscaping is established and mature, and will remain. The additional Special Permit is required to comply with the Aquifer Protection Regulations.
The applicant submitted several waiver requests to the Commission which they went over and determined which ones were needed.
Jean LaChance of the Westerly Hospital gave a brief overview of the urgent care facility which will operate 7 days a week from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Ms. LaChance stated the hours of operation may change if the need is there to remain open longer.
The Commission asked questions pertaining to this application which included parking and signage.
Chairman Stewart asked if there were any questions or comments from the public pertaining to this application. There were none.
Chairman Stewart asked if there was anyone from the public speaking in favor of this application. There were none.
Chairman Stewart asked if there was anyone from the public speaking against this application. There were none.
MOTION by V. Gregoropoulos, SECOND by E. Boissevain to close the Public Hearing on SPEC # 09-046 and SPEC #09-047. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
C. RC #09-036 (Regulation Change) Application of North Stonington Planning & Zoning Commission, 40 Main Street, North Stonington, CT 06359 to amend Sections: 200, 400, 410, 420, 500, 510, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1300, 1502, 1520, 1530, 1537, 1543, 1546, 1563, 1577, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000 & Appendix A of the Zoning Regulations and Section 5 of the Subdivision Regulations. (PH scheduled to open
on 7/02/09; Received on 6/04/09)
Secretary Gregoropoulos read the application into the record.
ZEO Leeming went over the changes briefly for the Commission as they have reviewed them extensively at previous meetings.
Chairman Stewart asked if there were any questions or comments from the public. There were none.
Chairman Stewart asked if there was anyone from the public speaking in favor of this application. There were none.
Chairman Stewart asked if there was anyone from the public speaking against this application. There were none.
Secretary Gregoropoulos read the letter from SCOGG in the record.
MOTION by V. Gregoropoulos, SECOND by L. Steinbrecher to close the Public Hearing on RC #09-036. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
5. COMMISSION REVIEW: None
6. PENDING APPLICATIONS:
A. SPEC #09-025 (Special Permit) Application of Stonington Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, c/o Ronald Sherman, 135 Liberty Street, Pawcatuck, CT 06379 to construct a 175 person occupancy House of Worship on property located at 530 Providence-New London Turnpike, North Stonington, CT 06359 Tax Map #112, Parcel #7791 (NO ACTION NEEDED; PH opened on
5/07/09 & continued to 6/04/09 & extended to7/02/09; Received on 4/09/09 & PH to close on or by 8/14/09)
B. SPEC #09-046 & SPEC-APOA #09-047(Special Permit & Aquifer Overlay) Application of North Stonington Properties, L.L.C., P.O. Box 205, North Stonington, CT 06359 for a Medical Clinic in the Aquifer Protection Overlay Area at property located at 183 Providence-New London Turnpike, North Stonington, CT 06359 in the OR Zone. Tax Map #117, Parcel #4737/6953 (PH scheduled for 7/02/09;
Received on 6/11/09 & PH must close on or by 8/05/09)
Seated: R. Stewart, L. Steinbrecher, V. Gregoropoulos, E. Boissevain, J. Siner
WAIVERS GRANTED
MOTION by V. Gregoropoulos, SECOND by L. Steinbrecher to accept the waiver requests to following sections with reasons:
Section 1704.1 – Professional Preparation - The Site Plan does not involve grading, paving, road construction or drainage work. Relevant information required in Section 1704 can be displayed on a plot plan that is drawn to scale. North Stonington Properties’ building has been in place since 1978 and only interior renovations will be done, with the exception of an elevator required to support American with Disabilities Act which does not add any more usable square footage.
Section 1704.2F – There is no proposed grading of the site in conjunction with this project as it is an established site.
Section 1704.2J – This requirement is more relevant for new construction or development of a site. This is an established site and the only change is the addition of the elevator which is placed within the established buildable area and is free from wetlands.
Section 1704.2K – This requirement is more relevant for new construction or development of a site. This is an established site with mature landscaping and no landscaping is required for this use change.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
FINDINGS
1602.1 that the proposal is adequately served by an appropriately designed and sufficient water supply, and sanitary facilities;
The water supply is from the old plan that was previously approved and they have demonstrated that all the waste will be handled in an appropriate way.
1602.2 that the use(s) and/or structure(s) be arranged, constructed, and operated in a manner that protects the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of North Stonington;
The use was demonstrated in the Public Hearing to meet this finding.
1602.3 that transportation services are adequate and no traffic congestion or undue traffic generation will result that would cause a deleterious effect on the local welfare or the safety of the motoring public;
The applicant discussed the hours of operation and traffic flow and meets this requirement.
1602.4 that the use and/or structure will be in harmony with the appropriate and orderly development of the zoning district in which it is proposed to be situated, and that it will not be noxious, offensive, or detrimental to the area by reason of odors, fumes, dust, noise, vibrations, appearance, or other similar reasons.
The facility will be handling all the waste associated with this facility required by the State of Connecticut.
1602.5 that no adverse effect will result to the character of the district, property values, historic features, or prosperity of the immediate neighborhood;
The structure is in the Office Research Zone and this facility is an appropriate use for that zone.
1602.6 the preservation of the character of the immediate neighborhood in terms of scale, density, intensity of use and architectural character;
The use will not affect the neighborhood. The site will use less parking and the Commission believes the site has more parking then needed.
1602.7 that no significant impact on environmental resources will result; and
The information presented in the Public Hearing according to the Connecticut Biomedical Waste pamphlet demonstrates that there will be no impacts on the environment.
1602.8 The that the proposed use and/or structure is consistent with future development as identified and envisioned in these regulations and the North Stonington Plan of Conservation and Development
The use is approved for the zone and is a use that is much needed in Town.
DECISION
MOTION by V. Gregoropoulos, SECOND by J. Siner to approve SPEC #09-046 with the condition to remove the up lighting on the building proposed for the medical clinic. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
FINDINGS
The Commission finds that based on the information provided in the Public Hearing pertaining to SPEC #09-047, and the information provided in the Connecticut Biomedical Waste brochure the type of uses in the medical clinic will not have an affect on the aquifer and the Commission will incorporate the findings from SPEC #09-046 into this application.
DECISION
MOTION by V. Gregoropoulos, SECOND by E. Boissevain to approve SPEC #09-047. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
C. RC #09-036 (Regulation Change) Application of North Stonington Planning & Zoning Commission, 40 Main Street, North Stonington, CT 06359 to amend Sections: 200, 400, 410, 420, 500, 510, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1300, 1502, 1520, 1530, 1537, 1543, 1546, 1563, 1577, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000 & Appendix A of the Zoning Regulations and Section 5 of the Subdivision Regulations. (PH
scheduled to open on 7/02/09; Received on 6/04/09)
Seated: R. Stewart, L. Steinbrecher, V. Gregoropoulos, E. Boissevain, J. Siner
MOTION by V. Gregoropoulos, SECOND by L. Steinbrecher to approve RC #09-036 with the effective date the day after publication. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
7. NEW APPLICATIONS: None
8. PLANNING ISSUES & DISCUSSION:
9. SENIOR PLANNER & ZONING OFFICIAL’S REPORT/ISSUES:
ZEO Activity Report/June
ZEO Leeming went over her activity report for the month of June with the Commission.
10. NEW BUSINESS:
11. OLD BUSINESS:
12. CORRESPONDENCE:
The Commission went over the correspondence in their packets.
13. REVIEW MINUTES:
Review minutes of Regular Meeting of 6/11/09.
MOTION by V. Gregoropoulos, SECOND by E. Boissevain to approve the regular meeting minutes of 6/11/09 with the necessary corrections. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
14. ADJOURNMENT:
MOTION by V. Gregoropoulos, SECOND by L. Steinbrecher to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 p.m. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Respectfully Submitted,
Cheryl Konsavitch
Cheryl Konsavitch, Administrative Assistant
Planning & Zoning Office
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