MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Patrick Kennedy, Mike Sullivan, David Sorenson, Bart Pacekonis, Timothy Moriarty, Louise Evans and Mark Abrahamson
ALTERNATES PRESENT: Viney Wilson
STAFF PRESENT: Marcia Banach Director of Planning
REGULAR MEETING – MADDEN ROOM
CALL TO ORDER:
Pat Kennedy called the meeting to order.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: None
NEW BUSINESS:
Discussion/Decision/Action regarding the following:
- Appl. 04-74P, Visions Salon and Spa -Change Order for landscaping
The above mentioned matter was postponed.
- Appl. 07-09P, Kilkenny Heights Subdivision - Discussion regarding open space access easement off of Maskel Road
Rob Mannarino, Mannarino Builders Inc. presented the proposal. Request to remove the open space access between lot # 11 and lot # 10 on Maskel Road in the Kilkenny Heights Subdivision. The present access will not support emergency vehicles due to the steep slopes. The new access road in the Dzen Farm will be safe and more accessible. This was discussed with residents in the area and they had a favorable response.
Commissioners questioned if the town will have access prior to the cut off of the narrow access road?
Mannarino responded the Dzen Tree Farm road will be paved as soon as possible and it will be complete before access to the narrow road is cut off.
Evans made a motion to approve the above mentioned request. Sullivan seconded the motion. The motion carried and the vote was unanimous.
- CGS8-24 Referral - regarding the purchase of 40 acres of the Foster Farm
Sullivan made a motion to make a favorable recommendation to the Town Council regarding the above mentioned request. Pacekonis seconded the motion. The motion carried and the vote was unanimous.
- Discussion of Zoning Regulations revisions.
Banach gave an update of the corrections and updates to the regulations as follows.
- The flood plain maps take effect on September 26and it is important for commission members to review these maps and make any changes before that deadline.
- Previously adopted Amendments have been added to these revisions since they did not make it in to the updated regulations last time.
- Lot configurations have gone beyond what was intended in the regulations and the amendment would ensure that rear lots are not created that do not conform to the interior lot regulations.
- The sign regulations in section K should be reviewed regarding additional sign embellishment. Sponsorship signs should be addressed since there are no provisions in the regulations for it. The date and temperature signs are no longer in the regulations. Town Center requested side walk signs or sandwich signs, however staff has not found a solution on how to make the sandwich signs uniform for every business in Town. The Planning department has not had any feedback from the Chamber of Commerce regarding the sandwich signs. Grand opening signs for businesses in the Gateway Zone should be addressed.
- A correction is needed for minor home occupation because the ability to have one employee was added by mistake and it was not in the original zoning regulations.
- The Planning department has been having major issues with lawn care services that are currently going through zoning enforcement. The Town Attorney advised the Planning Department that the Commission has the power to declare in the regulations that any home occupation permit will be revoked if the approval conditions are not met.
Commissioners suggested adding numbers to signs for safety reasons.
- Preliminary discussion with Bob Urso regarding development of a 55 acre parcel of land located on South Satellite Road zoned I
Peter DeMallie, President of Design Professionals Inc. discussed the housing needs in Connecticut and went over the site. The units are designed for young adults 25-34 that have no children or family. Active recreation will be installed. After walking the property with Town staff an endangered species of plant was found and the proper precautions will be taken to preserve it. The applicant is proposing a residential condominium with a density of 7.1 units per acre and 4.5 acres of it is active recreation. The applicant is proposing 3000 sq ft community club house. The applicant is proposing a bike trail or walking trail and the site will have 2 entrances. The center of the property has two wetland pockets and the endangered species is in that area. The southwest corner of
the site contains the largest area of wetlands. Everything on site will be maintained by the association.
Dave Holmes, Principal, Capitol Studio Architects, discussed the architectural design of the buildings. There will be 326 units and 36 buildings on site with 1200 sq ft of building space and one car garage. The proposed units will have an open floor plan, open living space, and Kitchen that faces the street. The master bedroom will be located on the second level and all units will have 1 and 1/2 bathroom. All units will have garages. The developer is looking into making the building a “green building” and possibly using some recycled materials.
Commissioners had comments and concerns. Responses will be in italics.
Commissioners asked how it would be restricted to the younger age group versus the older.
DeMallie responded that the units are designed for young adults since most of the units will have two levels and stairs which would not be attractive to a 55 and older market. More research will have to be done to determine what the younger residents are looking for.
Holmes mentioned that the project will be marketed to single young adults.
Kennedy mentioned that a housing complex will not generate more revenue than an industrial park would.
Banach responded that the wetlands on the site has hampered the site, it’s been on the market for many years.
DeMallie mentioned that because of the wetland on the property no one has been interested in an industrial park for this site.
- Appl. 04-52P, Church of The Living God – Request for a five year renewal of the approval for the site plan application.
Evans made a motion to approve the above mentioned request. Pacekonis seconded the motion. The motion carried and the vote was unanimous.
BONDS:
Evans made a motion to release the $5,000 landscaping bond for Appl. 05-42P, Birch Mountain Earthworks. Sullivan seconded the motion. The motion carried and the vote was unanimous.
Sullivan made a motion to release the $4,000 IWA/CC bond for Appl. 91-30P, Myette Subdivision. Pacekonis seconded the motion. The motion carried and the vote was unanimous.
Evans made a motion to reduce the $60,000 Subdivision Bond for Appl. 07-61P, Hillstead Subdivision to $25,700. Abrahamson seconded the motion the motion carried and the vote was unanimous.
MINUTES: 7/22/08 & 8/19/08
The minutes were approved by consensus with minor changes.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Appl. 08-21P, Cohen Resubdivision - Request for a 90 day extension for the filing of mylars
Moriarty made a motion to approve the above mentioned request. Sorenson seconded the motion. The motion carried and the vote was unanimous.
CGS8-24 Referral –Regarding the proposed sale of 625 Sullivan Avenue.
Evans made a motion to make a favorable recommendation to the Town Council for the above mentioned request. Pacekonis seconded the motion. The motion carried and the vote was unanimous.
ADJOURNMENT:
Evans made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Pacekonis seconded the motion. The motion carried and the vote was unanimous.
The regular meeting was adjourned at 9:35 PM.
Approved 12-09-08
D. Maria Acevedo
Recording Secretary
| 
