Town of
North Stonington, CT
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
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REGULAR MEETING
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2011 – 7:00 P.M.
New Town Hall
Conference Room
40 Main Street
North Stonington, CT 06359
DRAFT MINUTES
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER: Chairman Steinbrecher called the Regular Meeting of the North Stonington Planning & Zoning Commission to order on Thursday, December 1, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. at the New Town Hall, Conference Room.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Louis Steinbrecher, Chairman, Elaine Boissevain, Vice-Chair, Joseph Siner, Secretary and Ann Brown
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Wayne Wilkinson and Alternate Members Andrew Gaskins and Loretta Aitken
STAFF PRESENT: Sr. Planner & Zoning Official Juliet Leeming, Administrative Assistant Cheryl Konsavitch and Commission Attorney Michael Carey
2. ELECTION OF OFFICER’S:
MOTION by J. Siner, SECOND by E. Boissevain to nominate L. Steinbrecher for Chairman. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOTION by A. Brown, SECOND by E. Boissevain to close the nominations for Chairman. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
The vote of the Commission for Chairman was unanimous for Louis Steinbrecher.
MOTION by A. Brown, SECOND by J. Siner to nominate E. Boissevain for Vice-Chair. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOTION by J. Siner, SECOND by A. Brown to close the nominations for Vice-Chair. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
The vote of the Commission for Vice-Chair was unanimous for Elaine Boissevain.
MOTION by E. Boissevain, SECOND by A. Brown to nominate J. Siner for Secretary. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOTION by A. Brown, SECOND by E. Boissevain to close the nominations for Secretary. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
The vote of the Commission for Secretary was unanimous for Joseph Siner.
3. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: None
4. PUBLIC COMMENT: None
5. COMMISSION REVIEW:
A. SI #11-110 (Signage) Application of the North Stonington Public Schools, 297 Norwich-Westerly Road, North Stonington, CT 06359 for a Post & Panel LED Sign with Message Center on property located at 298 Norwich-Westerly Road in an R-40 Zone. Tax Map #109, Parcel #7195
Secretary Siner read the application into the record.
Seated: L. Steinbrecher, E. Boissevain, J. Siner, A. Brown
Christopher Sandford, Wheeler High School Principle was present for this application.
Mr. Sandford went over the sign application and stated they are looking at a LED sign with a 2 line message center which would dim at night and would be the same size as the existing sign. Mr. Sandford stated the sign would display messages for the school and Town and the school would be doing fundraising for the purchase of the sign.
The Commission discussed colors of the flashing messages and how often they would change.
MOTION by E. Boissevain, SECOND by J. Siner to approve SI #11-110 with the conditions that (1) Message may not be flashing and (2) the use of colors that could be confused with traffic signals are prohibited. MOTION CARRIED.
A. Brown - Opposed
B. CU (Change of Use) Application of Stefana M. Pecher, MD, 21 Old Hamburg Rd., Lyme, CT 06371 for a Change of User for a Medical Office in Units 2D & 2F for a Medical Office at property located at 391 Norwich-Westerly Rd. in a C1/APOA Zone. Tax Map #101, Parcel #7011.
Secretary Siner read the application into the record.
ZEO Leeming went over the application for the Commission and stated the Use will remain the same at the above mentioned address; it is the user that is changing. The Commission directed ZEO Leeming do handle the application administratively.
C. CGS 8-24 #11-117 (Connecticut General Statue 8-24), On behalf of the Board of Selectmen, First Selectman Nicholas Mullane, II requesting Planning & Zoning Commission review, in accordance with CGS 8-24, on the following item: Graminex & Marathon, a Michigan limited liability companies is interested in donating approximately 108.04 acres of land off of Wintechog Hill Road.
Secretary Siner read the application into the record.
Seated: L. Steinbrecher, E. Boissevain, J. Siner
A. Brown recused herself.
Nicholas Mullane, 1st Selectman was present and went over the application request with the Commission. Mr. Mullane stated the land is being offered to the Town as a donation and could offer the Town many options, such as open space, trails, municipal use, affordable housing and a buffer from the transfer station.
Secretary Siner read a letter into the record from MaryAnn Ricker, Co-Chair of the Affordable Housing Committee supporting the possible use of the land for affordable housing.
Mr. Mullane stated there are four dwellings on the property in poor condition which three would be demolished and one dwelling would be used for fire training.
Mark Sebastian spoke on behalf of the Eastern Pequot Tribe, stating that he believes the Tribe still has legal obligations to the land.
Madeline Jeffery commented on the 8-24 process stating the need to make all the Boards and Commissions aware of the process.
MOTION by E. Boissevain, SECOND by J. Siner to approve CGS 8-24 #11-117 (Connecticut General Statue 8-24), On behalf of the Board of Selectmen, First Selectman Nicholas Mullane, II requested Planning & Zoning Commission review, in accordance with CGS 8-24, on the following item: Graminex & Marathon, a Michigan limited liability companies is interested in donating approximately 108.04 acres of land off of Wintechog Hill Road WAS APPROVED WITH THE TOWN OBTAINING TITLE TO THIS PROPERTY. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A. SPEC #11-074 (Special Permit) Application of Richard E. White, 189 Norwich-Westerly Road, North Stonington, CT 06359 for closure plans for a gravel operation in 3 phases on property located at 150 Norwich-Westerly Road in an R-40 Aquifer Protection Overlay Zone. Tax Map #117, Parcel #7908 (PH opened on 9/01/11 & continued to 10/06, 10/13, 11/03, 11/10 & 12/01; Commission received on 8/11/11 & PH must close on or by 12/09/11-65 day extension granted from 10/06/11)
Secretary Siner read the application into the record.
Seated: L. Steinbrecher, E. Boissevain, J. Siner, A. Brown
Atty. Garon Camassar, Susan Mattern, Land Surveyor and Richard White were present for this application.
Atty. Camassar asked that the Commission consider closing the Public Hearing on this application this evening and approving it. Atty. Camassar also stated the planned to submit a regulation change to allow rock crushing in a residential zone.
Chairman Steinbrecher asked if there was anyone from the public speaking In Favor of this application. There were none.
Chairman Steinbrecher asked if there was anyone from the public speaking Against this application. There were none.
MOTION by E. Boissevain, SECOND by A. Brown to close the Public Hearing on SPEC #11-074. MOTION CARARIED UNANIMOUSLY.
7. PENDING APPLICATIONS:
A. SPEC #11-074 (Special Permit) Application of Richard E. White, 189 Norwich-Westerly Road, North Stonington, CT 06359 for closure plans for a gravel operation in 3 phases on property located at 150 Norwich-Westerly Road in an R-40 Aquifer Protection Overlay Zone. Tax Map #117, Parcel #7908 (PH opened on 9/01/11 & continued to 10/06, 10/13, 11/03, 11/10 & 12/01; Commission received on 8/11/11 & PH must close on or by 12/09/11-65 day extension granted from 10/06/11)
Atty. Carey asked that the Commission table deliberations until next Thursday so he could further research the form of security for bonding.
MOTION by A. Brown, SECOND by E. Boissevain to table deliberations until December 8, 2011. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
8. NEW APPLICATIONS:
RC #11-109 (Regulation Change) Application of the Town of North Stonington, Planning & Zoning Commission, 40 Main Street, North Stonington, CT 06359 to add new sections 1305.6 (Projections) and 1305.7 (Fences, Walls & Terraces) of the North Stonington Zoning Regulations.
(Commission to receive on 12/01/11 & set for PH on or by 2/03/12)
The Commission set the Public Hearing on RC #11-109 for January 12, 2012.
9. PLANNING ISSUES & DISCUSSION:
ZEO Leeming went over language for Change of Use, Change of User application and will submit an application for a regulation change for the December 8th meeting.
ZEO Leeming also asked the Commission to have questions for the Economic Development Consultants in by December 15th.
10. SENIOR PLANNER & ZONING OFFICIAL’S REPORT/ISSUES:
ZEO Activity Report/November
ZEO Leeming went over her activity report for the month of November.
11. NEW BUSINESS:
Schedule of Meetings for 2012
MOTION by J. Siner, SECOND by E. Boissevain to approve the 2012 meeting schedules for
Planning & Zoning and the Aquifer Protection Agency. MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
12. OLD BUSINESS:
13. CORRESPONDENCE:
14. REVIEW MINUTES:
Review minutes of Regular Meeting of 11/10/11
MOTION by E. Boissevain, SECOND by A. Brown to approve the regular meeting minutes of 11/10/11 with the necessary corrections. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
15. ADJOURNMENT:
MOTION by J. Siner, SECOND by A. Brown to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Respectfully Submitted,
Cheryl Konsavitch
Cheryl Konsavitch, Administrative Assistant
Planning & Zoning Office
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