PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2009
REGULAR MEETING MADDEN ROOM 7:30 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Patrick Kennedy, Louise Evans, Michael Sullivan, Bart Pacekonis, Mark Abrahamson, David Sorenson, Tim Moriarty and
ALTERNATES PRESENT: Viney Wilson, Dan Van Horn and Elizabeth Kuehnel
STAFF PRESENT: Marcia Banach, Director of Planning
REGULAR MEETING/MADDEN ROOM
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
NEW BUSINESS:
1. CGS8-24 Referral regarding the sale of excess property located at 765 Sullivan Ave.
The above mentioned item was withdrawn.
2. CGS8-24 Referral regarding the possible conveyance of property adjacent to Ellington Road
The above mentioned item was withdrawn.
3. Sign permit application for property located at 100 Long Hill Road I-291 Overlay zone.
Andy Night, pastor of Constitution Baptist Church presented the above mentioned request. The applicant mentioned that the size of the proposed sign is 4x16 and 64 sq ft according to the applicants’ measurements.
Banach reminded the applicant that the planning staff requires a site plan showing accurate measurements for the location of the sign.
Sullivan made a motion to approve the above mentioned request. Moriarty seconded the motion. The motion carried and the vote was unanimous.
4. Preliminary discussion with Horseshoe Lane Associates regarding a proposed development on SouthSatellite Road
Ralph Alexander, Attorney representing Bob Urso gave an overview of the proposed plan to build market rate affordable housing on SouthSatellite Road. In the past the applicant came before the commission with a preliminary plan for affordable housing for young adults under the CGS8-30g concept. The Commission had concerns with the density of the project and the applicant decided not to go forward with the application at that time. At this time the applicant would like to come before the Commission to discuss market rate affordable housing for young adults with out the CGS8-30g component. The applicant would first have to come before the Planning & Zoning commission with a zone change application from Industrial to Multi-Family zone. Peter DeMallie will discuss the technical details that were not available when this
was brought before the commission the first time.
Peter DeMallie gave a technical report describing the property and the impact on revenue for the Town of South Windsor as well the impact on schools. The proposed site will have two entrances with a landscape Island in the middle. The new plan was reduced in density at the request of Town staff. The applicant is proposing 230 units, 20 are single family, 10 are duplex units and 200 are multi-family units. Easterly of the Hilton Drive neighborhood is the lowest density. The westerly section is exclusively the multi-family use. The applicant is proposing to install side load garages as well as extensive walking trails and open space areas. The units will be reduced from 230 to 202. At the request of the Town Staff the applicant is proposing to have active recreational areas distributed around the
site. This project will potentially create jobs in South Windsor since it has a four year build out plan. In the past Design Professionals designed a site plan for an industrial site on SouthSatellite and it did not work due to the wetlands on the property.
The proposed project would bring revenue to the Town of South Windsor from the following sources: real-estate taxes, vehicle taxes, building permits and sewer hook up fees for each unit.
A study was completed to measure how many school aged children would be generated by this type of development. The research completed on other similar developments in the Town determined that after 20 years there is an increase of 46 children per development.
Dave Holmes, principal for Capital Studio Architects reviewed the design for the proposed buildings and the floor plan for the units. The new design consists of 6 unit buildings; the addition of two building units makes the design more elegant. The town house units are all 2 bedroom units. The main level is an open floor plan with side load garages. There are three different types of designs being proposed. The First one is a ranch 2 bed room unit (1400 sq ft) all in one floor, the second is cape and the third is a colonial 1500 sq ft with master bedroom on the ground floor and a second bedroom or an office on the second floor. The single family design will have a front porch. The materials used will give the building a better look than was previously proposed. The units can be converted to meet the
needs of handicap individuals.
Attorney Alexander requested for feedback from Commissioners.
Commissioners had questions and concerns. Replies will in italics.
• Commissioners asked what would make young adults interested in this type of development.
DeMallie responded that the units would be affordable to young people, the size of the units and the multifamily aspect will attract young adults. Most of the units are multilevel which is geared towards young adults who don’t mind going up stairs. Active recreation will be an important aspect of the project that will make it attractive to young adults. The applicant plans to do more research into what type of recreation will attract young adults prior to designing the active recreation portion of the plan.
• Commissioners agreed that the concept of housing that would appeal to young adults was a good idea for the SouthSatellite area.
• The Commissions biggest problem with the original proposal was the density of the project, commission members agreed with the reduction in units that was made with the revised proposal.
• Commissioners were satisfied with the detailed technical information give by the applicant explaining the impact on South Winsor Schools and on revenue for the Town.
• Commissioners would like to see the recreation plan in advance.
DeMallie mentioned that a general plan is detailed and would be submitted along with the zone change. The General plan would show the active recreation.
• Commissioners asked about wetlands on the proposed site or if there were any invasive species.
DeMallie mentioned that Ken Metzler from DEP was invited to the site and determined that there is sedge in the wetlands area of the proposed site. Mr. Metzler recommended a separation of 80 ft and no disturbance within 80 ft of the sedge
BONDS:
None
MINUTES:
The minutes dated September 8, 2009 have been approved by consensus with minor revisions.
OTHER BUSINESS:
ADJOURMENT:
Sullivan made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Moriarty seconded the motion. The motion carried and the vote was unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
D. Maria Acevedo 11/24/2009
Recording Secretary Approved
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