REGULAR MEETING
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016 7:00 P.M.
New Town Hall
Conference Room
40 Main Street
North Stonington, CT 06359
MINUTES APPROVED ~ APRIL 7, 2016
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER:
Chairman Lou Steinbrecher called the Regular Meeting of the North Stonington Planning & Zoning Commission to order on Thursday, March 10, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at the New Town Hall,
Conference Room.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:
Lou Steinbrecher, Chairman, Elaine Boissevain, Vice-Chair Joseph Siner, Secretary, and Ann Brown
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
Wayne Wilkinson and Alternate Members Ed McGowan, Pat Lewis and Julie Lanier
STAFF PRESENT:
ZEO/Planner Tom Zanarini and Administrative Assistant Cheryl Konsavitch,
2. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA:
None
3. PUBLIC COMMENT:
None
4. NEW BUSINESS:
Brief discussion on scenic road tree cutting by Eversource
Susan Stott of Eversource came before the Commission to update them on their tree cutting procedures on the Town’s scenic roads. Ms. Stott stated they do notify the property owners and the abutting property
owners. Ms. Stott presented plans of their tree schedule.
Anne Nalwalk, Dick Cooper and Madeline Jeffery asked questions or had comments pertaining to the tree trimming.
MOTION by A. Brown, SECOND by E. Boissevain to approve the proposed tree trimming and to acknowledge the understanding that we have with our Highway Foreman and Eversource, that in the future, they will
come before the Planning & Zoning Commission with any trimming on the Town’s scenic roads, and the Commission understands that on occasion there may be an imminent danger of a tree that must come down by the Highway Foreman or Eversource in an emergency situation.
Also, the Commission would like to thank the active volunteers who have met with our Highway Foreman and Eversource for their time and effort and their reports back to the Commission. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A. ZC #16-009 (Zone Change)
Application of Watrous Associates, Inc., 5 Pierce Ave., Bridgeport, CT 06604 for a change to the zoning map of 7 parcels (84-9158, 85-6201, 84-6538, 84-3316, 84-6166, 84-3703, 84-9612, from an R-80 zone to Commercial.
(PH scheduled for 03/10/16; Commission received on 2/11/16 & PH must close on or by 4/13/16)
Secretary Siner read the application into the record.
Seated: L. Steinbrecher, E. Boissevain, J. Siner, A. Brown
Mr. Bill Schwartz was present and went over the application pertaining to the zone change stating that he would like to change 7 parcels from R-80 to Commercial. He stated he is looking into a possible small
pharmacy and supermarket, but any proposals for this site would require Commission approval at a later date.
Mr. Schwartz entered the Certificates of Mailings to the abutting property owners into the record as Exhibit A.
The Commission asked questions pertaining to the zone change and also asked Mr. Schwartz to get written consent from the property owners involved in this zone change.
Chairman Steinbrecher asked if there were any questions or comments from the public pertaining to this application. The following people spoke:
Vilma Gregoropoulos
Brad Borden
Madeline Jeffery
Chairman Steinbrecher asked if there was anyone from the public speaking in favor of this application. The following person spoke:
Liz Beardslee and a letter from EDC in support of this zone change was read into the record.
Chairman Steinbrecher asked if there was anyone from the public speaking against this application. The following people spoke:
Brad Borden
Mimi Borden
Anne Nalwalk
Vilma Gregoropoulos
An e-mail from Jo Negri was read into the record opposing this zone change
ZEO Zanarini went over his staff report pertaining to this application.
Mr. Schwartz stated he has over 50 years’ experience in developments and this would be a good project and a positive change for the Town.
MOTION by A. Brown, SECOND by E. Boissevain to schedule a site-walk of the parcels for Saturday, March 19th at 9:30 a.m. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MOTION by E. Boissevain, SECOND by A. Brown to continue the Public Hearing on ZC #16-009 to April 7, 2016. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(PH scheduled for 03/10/16; Commission received on 2/11/16 & PH must close on or by 4/13/16)
Secretary Siner read the application into the record.
Seated: L. Steinbrecher, E. Boissevain, J. Siner, A. Brown
Chairman Steinbrecher asked if there were any questions or comments from the public pertaining to this application. There were none.
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.
A. ZC #16-009 (Zone Change)
Application of Watrous Associates, Inc., 5 Pierce Ave., Bridgeport, CT 06604 for a change to the zoning map of 7 parcels (84-9158, 85-6201, 84-6538, 84-3316, 84-6166, 84-3703, 84-9612, from an R-80 zone to Commercial.
(NO ACTION NEEDED;
PH opened on 03/10/16 & continued to 04/07/16; Commission received on 2/11/16 & PH must close on or by 4/13/16)
Seated: L. Steinbrecher, E. Boissevain, J. Siner, A. Brown
(Commission to receive on 02/04/16 & must act on or by 04/08/16)
The applicant was not present, he is waiting on a detailed plan of the parking area. The Commission requested we get an extension on this application.
9. SENIOR PLANNER & ZONING OFFICIAL’S REPORT/ISSUES:
ZEO Activity Report/January/February
ZEO Zanarini went over his enforcement reports for the month of January and February with the Commission.
Anne Nalwalk commented on the wildlife refuge pertaining to rabbits and the booklet is available to review in the Land Use Office
EXP #16-014 (Excavation)
Application of Mark Perkins, P.O. Box 437, North Stonington, CT 06359 for an excavation permit to disturb 357,800 +/- sq. ft. for property located at 586Z Lantern Hill Road, North Stonington, CT 06359 in and R-80
Zone. Tax Map #13, Parcel #7728-M (Commission to receive on 3/10/16 & must act on or by 5/13/16)
The Commission set the review for
EXP #16-014 for their April 14th meeting.
12. NEW BUSINESS:
13. REVIEW MINUTES:
Review minutes of Regular Meeting of 03/03/16
The Commission accepted the minutes as submitted
12. ADJOURNMENT:
MOTION by E. Boissevain, SECOND by A. Brown to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Respectfully Submitted,
Cheryl Konsavitch
Cheryl Konsavitch, Administrative Assistant
Planning & Zoning Office
