REGULAR MEETING
THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016 7:00 P.M.
New Town Hall
Conference Room
40 Main Street
North Stonington, CT 06359
MINUTES APPROVED ~ MAY 12, 2016
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER:
Chairman Lou Steinbrecher called the Regular Meeting of the North Stonington Planning & Zoning Commission to order on Thursday, May 5, 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, Ann Brown and Wayne Wilkinson and Alternate Member Pat Lewis (left at 9:00 p.m.)
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
Alternate Members Ed McGowan 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. WORKSHOP:
Possible retail use for formal McDonald’s site at 552 Providence-New London Turnpike
Andrew Malazzi of Quality Propane came before the Commission to discuss a possible site for retail and propane sales at the former McDonald’s site. The site would have a Hearth Showroom with one propane tank
on the lower level and 30 to 40 tanks being stored on the property and adequately screened behind a 6 foot fence. The company is also a full service heating company. The Commission consensus was the use would be a Commercial Service.
RC #16-026 (Regulation Change) Application of the Town of North Stonington Planning & Zoning Commission, 40 Main Street, North Stonington, CT 06359 to modify
Zoning Regulation Sections 202 (Specifically Prohibited Uses); 704 (Seasonal Use Overlay District) 1302.2 (Site Plan Submission Requirements); 1303.2 (Special Permit Submission Requirements); 1304.B (Text Amendment Application Submission Requirements); and
1305.B (Zone Change Application Submission Requirements)
Secretary Siner read the application into the record.
Seated: L. Steinbrecher, E. Boissevain, J. Siner, A. Brown, W. Wilkinson
ZEO Zanarini went over the application with the Commission which they had discussed in previous meetings.
Chairman Steinbrecher asked if there were any questions or comments from the public pertaining to this application. The following person spoke:
Wes Lamphere
Chairman Steinbrecher asked if there was anyone from the public speaking in favor of this application. There was none.
Chairman Steinbrecher asked if there was anyone from the public speaking against this application. There were none.
MOTION by A. Brown, SECOND by J. Siner to close the public hearing on RC #16-026. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
6. PENDING APPLICATIONS:
RC #16-026 (Regulation Change) Application of the Town of North Stonington Planning & Zoning Commission, 40 Main Street, North Stonington, CT 06359 to modify
Zoning Regulation Sections 202 (Specifically Prohibited Uses); 704 (Seasonal Use Overlay District) 1302.2 (Site Plan Submission Requirements); 1303.2 (Special Permit Submission Requirements); 1304.B (Text Amendment Application
Secretary Siner read the application into the record.
Seated: L. Steinbrecher, E. Boissevain, J. Siner, A. Brown, W. Wilkinson
The Commission discussed and A. Brown stated the Commission had discussed these changes at length in previous meetings.
MOTION by E. Boissevain, SECOND by J. Siner to approve RC #16-026 (Regulation Change) Application of the Town of North Stonington Planning & Zoning Commission, 40 Main Street, North Stonington, CT
06359 to modify Zoning Regulation Sections 202 (Specifically Prohibited Uses); 704 (Seasonal Use Overlay District) 1302.2 (Site Plan Submission Requirements); 1303.2 (Special Permit Submission Requirements); 1304.B (Text Amendment Application EFFECTIVE THE
DAY AFTER PUBLICATION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
RESOLVED, that the Planning and Zoning Commission of the Town of North Stonington approves the following project pursuant to the provisions of Section 8-24 of the General Statutes of Connecticut:
A new Wheeler Middle/High School addition and renovations to the Gymatorium and for an addition and renovations to the North Stonington Elementary School, and for the demolition of portions of the existing Wheeler Middle/High School, and other improvements
to be used for the North Stonington Board of Education Central Office. The projects are contemplated to be completed substantially as follows:
WHEELER MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL ADDITION AND RENOVATION TO THE GYMATORIUM: (1) an approximately 44,250 square feet two level addition at the gymatorium building on the west side of Route 2, that will accommodate: classrooms, science labs, art
studios, graphic and CADD labs, Special education classrooms and support spaces, a multipurpose space to support the chorus program, business labs and classrooms, a cafeteria and servery, media center, student and faculty toilets and infrastructure spaces
for circulation, storage and mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems; (2) Improvements within the existing gymatorium building will include: the renovation of the gymnasium including storage, locker rooms, public toilets, stage and a lobby/circulation
space, administrative offices, nurse/health clinic, offices and the band room and related storage and practice rooms; (3) various building systems improvements including: replacement of all mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protections systems and
infrastructure; security and communication systems upgrades; energy conservation improvements including exterior wall, door, window, and roof replacement or updates; central air conditioning system installation throughout the building; and installation of
an emergency generator and alternative energy systems; (4) various code and ADA compliance improvements and renovations; (5) various site improvements including: septic system, separation of the bus/parent/student vehicular traffic circulation, and additional
parking; (6) related improvements and work;
ADDITION AND RENOVATIONS TO THE NORTH STONINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: (1) an approximately 2,600 square feet addition at the elementary school to accommodate the reconfiguration of central kitchen, servery, cafeteria, multipurpose room/stage,
and instructional programs; (2) improvements within the existing building will include: reconfiguring the gymnasium including storage, offices, student/public toilets, a lobby/circulation space, fully renovated classrooms and handicapped accessible toilets
in the Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten classrooms; relocation of the art, music and technology program in a fully renovated space; relocation renovations and improvements of the media center and special education programs; renovations associated with the
nurse/health clinic, administrative and guidance offices; and expansion and renovation of the cafeteria and kitchen; (3) various building systems improvements including replacement of all mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protections systems and infrastructure;
security and communication systems upgrades; energy conservation improvements including exterior wall, door, window, and roof replacement or updates; central air conditioning system installation throughout the building; and installation of an emergency generator
and alternative energy systems; (4) various code and ADA compliance improvements and renovations; (5) various site improvements including separation of the bus/parent/student/parking and vehicular traffic circulation; accessibility to all site facilities;
pavement resurfacing; physical education; and building access improvements; updating the site utility and drainage infrastructure; (6) all HAZMAT remediation; and (7) related improvements and work; and
DEMOLITION OF PORTIONS OF THE EXISTING WHEELER MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS TO BE USED FOR THE NORTH STONINGTON BOARD OF EDUCATION CENTRAL OFFICE: (1) all demolition and HAZMAT remediation of portions of the existing Wheeler
Middle/High School located on the east side of Route 2 comprising the 1950s and 1960s building along with the boiler room, kitchen and cafeteria spaces; (2) removal and replacement of the roof in the area comprising the current main entry, the main office,
media center, art room, classrooms up to the corridor leading to the elevator in the two story wing of the high school portion of the Wheeler Middle/High School, to be used for the North Stonington Board of Education Central Office; (3) all HAZMAT remediation
related to the roof replacement; and (4) related improvements and work;
provided that, that this resolution is for approval of conceptual plans only. The project is subject to and shall comply with all applicable zoning, site plan, inland wetland and other laws, regulations and permit approvals, and this resolution shall not be
a determination that any project is in compliance with any such applicable laws, regulations or permit approvals
MOTION CARRIED.
A. Brown – Opposed
(NO ACTION NEEDED; Commission received on 02/04/16 & must act on or by 04/08/16; Extension given to extend to 06/12/16)
8. SENIOR PLANNER & ZONING OFFICIAL’S REPORT/ISSUES:
ZEO Activity Report/April
ZEO Zanarini went over his activity report with the Commission for the month of April
9.
PLANNING ISSUES & DISCUSSION:
10. SENIOR PLANNER & ZONING OFFICIAL’S REPORT/ISSUES:
ZEO Zanarini gave an update on enforcement issues and Chairman Steinbrecher stated he would like to see some progress made on the open enforcement issues.
Shawn Murphy, 1st Selectman also briefly went over Planning & Zoning’s budget and stated the Board of Finance cut $5000 from their attorney line item and $500 from travel expenses.
13. NEW BUSINESS:
None
14. REVIEW MINUTES:
Review minutes of Regular Meeting of 04/14/16
The Commission accepted the minutes of 04/14/16 as written.
15. EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Personnel Matter
Present: L. Steinbrecher, E. Boissevain, J. Siner, A. Brown, W. Wilkinson, T. Zanarini and Shawn Murphy, 1st Selectman
MOTION by A. Brown, SECOND by W. Wilkinson to go into Executive Session at 9:10 p.m. to discuss a personnel matter. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
The Commission came out of Executive Session at 9:34 p.m. where no actions or decisions were made.
16. ADJOURNMENT:
MOTION by E. Boissevain, SECOND by A. Brown to adjourn the meeting at 9:35 p.m. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Respectfully Submitted,
Cheryl Konsavitch
Cheryl Konsavitch, Administrative Assistant
Planning & Zoning Office
