North Stonington, CT - Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes 10/09/2014

Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes 10/09/2014

Town of

North Stonington, CT

PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION

REGULAR MEETING

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2014 7:00 P.M.

New Town Hall

Conference Room

40 Main Street

North Stonington, CT 06359

MINUTES APPROVED ~ NOVEMBER 6, 2014

1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER: Chairman Lou Steinbrecher called the Regular Meeting of the North Stonington Planning & Zoning Commission to order on Thursday, October 9, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. at the New Town Hall, Conference Room.

COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Lou Steinbrecher, Chairman, Elaine Boissevain, Vice-Chair, Joseph Siner, Secretary, Ann Brown, and Wayne Wilkinson

COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Alternate Members Pat Lewis, Julie Lanier, and Ed McGowan

STAFF PRESENT: Sr. Planner & Zoning Official Juliet Hodge and Administrative Assistant Cheryl Konsavitch

2. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA:

MOTION by E. Boissevain, SECOND by W. Wilkinson to discuss job applicants for vacant ZEO/Planner position under New Business. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3. PUBLIC COMMENT:

Nita Kincaid came before the Commission to invite them to the community conversation, Our Community Moving Forward Together on Saturday, October 18^th, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the North Stonington Elementary School, Multi-Purpose Room being held by the ICONS

4. PUBLIC HEARING:

SPEC #14-070 (Special Permit) Application of the Town of North Stonington, 40 Main Street, North Stonington, CT 06359 for the construction of an Emergency Services Facility providing the administrative offices, training facilities & equipment storage functions of the Town’s fire, ambulance & Emergency Management Departments on property located at 25 Rocky Hollow Rd., North Stonington, CT 06359. Tax Map #109, Parcel #6364 (PH opened & closed on 10/09/14; Commission received on 9/11/14)

Secretary Siner read the application into the record.

Seated: L. Steinbrecher, E. Boissevain, J. Siner, W. Wilkinson, A. Brown

Mr. Donald Smith, Engineer, Mr. David Stein, Architect, and Mr. Aris Stalis, Landscaper were present for this application.

Mr. Smith went over the site-plan stating this application is for the construction of an Emergency Services Center on an 8 acre parcel on the corner of Route 2 and Rocky Hollow Road. Mr. Stein stated primary access will be provided off Rocky Hollow Road with an emergency access off of Route 2.

Mr. Stein went over the building design and Mr. Stalis went over the landscaping.

The Commission asked questions pertaining to this application.

Chris Beaulieu-Shea, Engineering Manager at Cherenzia & Associates, LTD. stated that all review comments regarding this project have been addressed.

ZEO Hodge went over her memo regarding this application.

Chairman Steinbrecher asked if there were any questions or comments for the public pertaining to this application. The following people spoke:

Bob Shabunia

1^st. Selectman, Nicholas Mullane

Chairman Steinbrecher asked if there was anyone from the public wishing to speak in favor of this application. The following person spoke:

Bob Shabunia

1^st. Selectman, Nicholas Mullane

Chairman Steinbrecher asked if there was anyone from the public wishing to speak against this application. There was none.

MOTION by E. Boissevain, SECOND by J. Siner to close the public hearing on SPEC #14-070. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5. PENDING APPLICATIONS:

Seated: L. Steinbrecher, E. Boissevain, J. Siner, W. Wilkinson, A. Brown

FINDINGS

The Commission has considered the following criteria in reviewing the application:

● that the proposal is adequately served by an appropriately designed and sufficient water supply, and sanitary facilities; (Town proposes to extend city water to the site. Septic system to be approved by Sanitarian prior to construction).

● 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 2^nd access for the public will eliminate any conflicts between fire apparatus and general public visiting the facility. There is a proposed emergency exit along Route 2 in case of an issue at the intersection of Rocky Hollow and Route 2)

● 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; (Existing Firehouse is located on the opposite side of the street fronting on Rocky Hollow and Route 2 – it has been run perfectly adequate over the years)

● 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 the reason of odors, fumes, dust, noise, vibrations, appearance, or other similar reasons; (the Commission approved a special exception to allow a metal building, there has been extension discussion on why a metal building was chosen and how the designers plan to make it attractive at that location with the existing and proposed landscaping to soften the design of the large building)

● that no adverse effect will result to the character of the district, property values, historic features, or prosperity of the immediate neighborhood;

● the preservation of the character of the immediate neighborhood in terms of scale, density, intensity of use and architectural character; (Although the building proposed is very large, the designers have taken that into consideration and have tried to minimize its impact and maximize its utility with the Town)

● that no significant impact on environmental resources will result. (No wetlands on the property. All proposed excavation work is in conformance with regulations)

● 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 Commission encourages continued investment in the Town facilities and included this project in the POCD.)

The Commission finds that:

1. the Special Permit Application is in conformance with the applicable provisions of these Regulations;

2. the applicant has demonstrated, in the sole discretion of the Commission that the application as proposed satisfies the applicable Special Permit criteria in Section 1602 of these Regulations; and

3. the Special Permit Application is in harmony with the purposes and intent of these

Regulations.

COMMISSION ACTION

MOTION by A. Brown, SECOND by W. Wilkinson to approve SPEC #14-070 (Special Permit) Application of the Town of North Stonington, 40 Main Street, North Stonington, CT 06359 for the construction of an Emergency Services Facility providing the administrative offices, training facilities & equipment storage functions of the Town’s fire, ambulance & Emergency Management Departments on property located at 25 Rocky Hollow Rd., North Stonington, CT 06359. Tax Map #109, Parcel #6364. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

6. PLANNING ISSUES & DISCUSSION:

Zoning Regulation Update

ZEO Hodge went over the proposed regulation updates with the Commission and stated Don Poland; Consultant would be at the Commission’s November 6^th meeting to review the updates.

7. SENIOR PLANNER & ZONING OFFICIAL’S REPORT/ISSUES:

8. NEW APPLICATIONS: None

9. OLD BUSINESS: None

10. NEW BUSINESS:

Job Applicants for vacant ZEO/Planner position

The Commission stated they would look over the job applications and start interviewing potential candidates at the end of October.

11. REVIEW MINUTES:

Regular Meeting of 10/02/14

The Commission accepted the minutes of 10/02/14 as submitted.

12. ADJOURNMENT:

MOTION by J. Siner, SECOND by E. Boissevain to adjourn the meeting at 9:55 p.m. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Respectfully Submitted,

Cheryl Konsavitch

Cheryl Konsavitch, Administrative Assistant

Planning & Zoning Office