Town of
North Stonington, CT
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
|
|
REGULAR MEETING
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2011 – 7:00 P.M.
New Town Hall
Conference Room
40 Main Street
North Stonington, CT 06359
MINUTES APPROVED ~ OCTOBER 6, 2011
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER: Chairman Steinbrecher called the Regular Meeting of the North Stonington Planning & Zoning Commission to order on Thursday, September 8, 2011 at 7:02 p.m. at the New Town Hall, Conference Room.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Louis Steinbrecher, Chairman, Elaine Boissevain, Vice-Chair, Joseph Siner, Secretary, Wayne Wilkinson and Ann Brown
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Alternate Members Andrew Gaskins and Susan Grufstedt
STAFF PRESENT: Sr. Planner & Zoning Official Juliet Leeming and Administrative Assistant Cheryl Konsavitch
2. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: None
3. PUBLIC COMMENT:
Nita Kincaid & Richard Cooper came before the Commission for a request to remove trees on Hewitt Road. Ms. Kincaid stated the Hewitt Farm Committee began working in July to establish a new marked visitors’ entrance off Ryder Road. This will be the primary entrance to the Farm for a number of years until the Hewitt Dam & bridge are repaired. To do so, the Committee has determined that it will be necessary to clear much of the overgrowth at the entranceway and on the farm roadway itself. This work will also permit the Committee to re-construct several old stone walls, and eliminate the grove of non-native invasive Tree-of-Heaven and Autumn Olive and allow for attractive plants such as ferns and native shrubs.
Ms. Kincaid stated the trees designated for removal are not prominent trees and they have had Steve Holliday, Highway Foreman and ZEO Leeming out to the site to look at the trees. Ms. Kincaid also had photos of the trees to be cut for the Commission to view.
MOTION by A. Brown, SECOND by W. Wilkinson to authorize removal of the trees as presented in your presentation. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A. SPEC #11-075 & SPEC-APOA #11-076 (Special Permit & Aquifer Overlay) Application of Wood Pond, L.L.C., P.O. Box 293, North Stonington, CT 06359 for a Medical Clinic in the Aquifer Protection Overlay Area at property located at 183B Providence-New London Turnpike in the OR/APOA Zone. Tax Map #122, Parcel #9690 The Public Hearings for these applications will be heard concurrently. (PH scheduled to open on 9/08/11; Commission received on 8/11/11 & PH must close on or by 10/12/11)
Secretary Siner read the application into the record.
Seated: L. Steinbrecher, E. Boissevain, J. Siner, W. Wilkinson, A. Brown
Janet Fiore and Dr. Paqui Motyl were present representing the applicant.
ZEO Leeming gave an overview of the proposal along with Ms. Fiore stating the application is to transform the existing office space into additional treatment rooms and additional physical therapy areas as part of an expansion of the Medical Clinic on the abutting parcel.
Ms. Fiore submitted calculations for parking and a parcel topographic survey.
ZEO Leeming went over her memo stating she has many concerns with the Plot Plan and stated it is very unclear as to what is existing and what is proposed and would like a more detailed plan. Other areas that needed future clarification were the surface standards, septic system, parking, signage, landscaping, lighting and grading. Also the new parking area and the proposed expansion of the adjoining existing parking area are proposed to be located within the 100’ upland review area, so the applicant would have to apply to wetlands. The applicant has also applied for waivers to three sections of the regulations.
MOTION by E. Boissevain, SECOND by W. Wilkinson to accept the extension request and to continue the Public Hearing on SPEC #11-075 & SPEC-APOA #11-076 to October 13, 2011. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
B. SP #11-071 (Site-Plan Modification) Application of the Town of North Stonington, 40 Main Street, North Stonington, CT 06359 for modification to an existing site-plan to remove & replace the tennis & basketball courts & add volley ball & ice ring & update utilities on property located at 32 Rocky Hollow Road in an R60 Zone. Tax Map #115, Parcel #5607. (PH scheduled for 9/08/11 & Commission must act on or by 11/11/11)
Secretary Siner read the application into the record.
Seated: L. Steinbrecher, E. Boissevain, J. Siner, W. Wilkinson, A. Brown
Nicholas Mullane, 1st Selectman and Pat Lafayette, Town Engineer was present for this application.
Mr. Mullane & Mr. Lafayette went over the site-plan for the Commission and stated they proposed to remove and replace both the tennis and basketball courts and to add a volleyball court and ice-rink. The plan also proposes to replace all the existing electrical wiring and conduits as well as adding new drainage systems. There will be some regrading of the site that will result in a soil disturbance of greater than ½ acre. Also new lights are proposed and some existing lights will be replaced or relocated, and many, of the proposed light poles are greater than the 20’.
The Commission asked questions.
ZEO went over her memo stating that the items under Plan Review have already been corrected.
Chairman Steinbrecher asked if there were any question or comments from the public pertaining to this application. The following people spoke:
Pat Turner
Gary Beaudoin
Shirley Beaudoin
Chairman Steinbrecher asked if there was anyone speaking in favor of this application. There were none.
Chairman Steinbrecher asked if there was anyone speaking against this application. There were none.
MOTION by E. Boissevain, SECOND by W. Wilkinson to close the Public Hearing on SP #11-080. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
C. 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 (NO ACTION NEEDED; PH opened on 9/01/11 & continued to 10/06/11; Commission received on 8/11/11 & PH must close on or by 11/09/11-35 day extension granted from 10/06/11)
5. PENDING APPLICATIONS:
A. SP #11-071 (Site-Plan Modification) Application of the Town of North Stonington, 40 Main Street, North Stonington, CT 06359 for modification to an existing site-plan to remove & replace the tennis & basketball courts & add volley ball & ice ring & update utilities on property located at 32 Rocky Hollow Road in an R60 Zone. Tax Map #115, Parcel #5607. (PH scheduled for 9/08/11 & Commission must act on or by 11/11/11)
Seated: L. Steinbrecher, E. Boissevain, J. Siner, W. Wilkinson, A. Brown
MOTION by E. Boissevain, SECOND by W. Wilkinson to approve the waiver request to the following with reasons:
Section 1506.5 – For luminaires mounted on poles greater than 20’ in height. As per the recommendation of the lighting manufacturer for proper lighting of double tennis courts.
Section 1704.2H – No flagging of wetlands by a soil scientist. No activity proposed within 100’ of wetlands.
Section 1704.2T – Wooded areas, tree specimen, rock outcroppings and fragile natural features not located. None exist in the area of the proposed work.
Section 1704.2U – Endangered species not noted. None exist in the area of the proposed work.
Sction 1704.2W – No archeological survey. Site has been previously disturbed.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOTION by E. Boissevain, SECOND by W. Wilkinson to approve SP #11-080 as presented. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
B. SPEC #11-075 & SPEC-APOA #11-076 (Special Permit & Aquifer Overlay) Application of Wood Pond, L.L.C., P.O. Box 293, North Stonington, CT 06359 for a Medical Clinic in the Aquifer Protection Overlay Area at property located at 183B Providence-New London Turnpike in the OR/APOA Zone. Tax Map #122, Parcel #9690 The Public Hearings for these applications will be heard concurrently. (PH opened on 9/08/11 & continued to 10/13/11) ; Commission received on 8/11/11 & PH must close on or by 11/16/11-with a 35 day extension from 10/13/11)
C. 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 (NO ACTION NEEDED; PH opened on 9/01/11 & continued to 10/06/11; Commission received on 8/11/11 & PH must close on or by 11/09/11-35 day extension granted from 10/06/11)
MOTION by A. Brown, SECOND by W. Wilkinson to amend the agenda to go to New Business and then back to regular agenda format. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
6. NEW BUSINESS:
ZEO Leeming discussed a Change of Use with the Commission.
Anna Lathrop of Gourmet Galley was present, and stated the business located at 138 Norwich Westerly Road, formerly Custy’s would be used for client meetings and tastings. Ms. Lathrop stated that they would like to add retail space in the future.
The consensus of the Commission was to have the ZEO handle this application administratively.
ZEO Lemming discussed Circle Park II with the Commission and stated they are proposing a new door way configuration for one of the units. The ZEO also discussed the Little League fields on Swantown Hill Road and stated the people involved in the project now would like to phase it. The Commission was receptive to the phasing.
7. NEW APPLICATIONS: None
8. PLANNING ISSUES & DISCUSSION:
9. SENIOR PLANNER & ZONING OFFICIAL’S REPORT/ISSUES:
ZEO Leeming went over some zoning violations that are with the attorney. Mr. Ragonese has moved the RV from the property and will drop that action with the attorney. ZEO Leeming stated that Belisle and Ames is going forward.
ZEO Leeming also discussed signage and lighting at Holly Green. The association has been making changes to the signage and lighting without the proper permits.
10. OLD BUSINESS:
11. CORRESPONDENCE:
The Commission went over correspondence.
12. REVIEW MINUTES:
Review minutes of Regular Meeting of 9/01/11
MOTION by E. Boissevain, SECOND by W. Wilkinson to approve the regular meeting minutes of 9/01/11 with the necessary corrections. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
13. ADJOURNMENT:
MOTION by J. Siner, SECOND by E. Boissevain to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 p.m. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Respectfully Submitted,
Cheryl Konsavitch
Cheryl Konsavitch, Administrative Assistant
Planning & Zoning Office
| 
