MEMBERS PRESENT: Patrick Kennedy, Bart Pacekonis, David Sorenson, Mario Marrero, Viney Wilson and Elizabeth Kuehnel
ALTERNATES PRESENT: Frank Bonzani, Gary Pitcock
STAFF PRESENT: Michele Lipe, Town Planner
PUBLIC HEARING/COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Kennedy called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
APPLICATIONS TO BE OFFICIALLYRECEIVED:
Appl. 11-09P, South Satellite Tool Site - request for a site plan modification for a 3,600 sf addition on property located at 185 Commerce Way, I zone
PUBLIC HEARING-COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Pitcock recused himself.
Kennedy appointed Bonzani to sit for Carroll.
- 11-06P, Kryla Zoning Amendment II – request for a zoning amendment to Table 3.1.2A to modify 200 foot frontage requirement for MF A/AA zones to allow the reduction to 50 feet with specific design criteria (cont from 3-22-11)
Peter DeMallie, Principal and President of Design Professionals presented the application. The applicant came before the commission again to discuss the possibility of acquiring some land from the abutting owner to achieve the 200 foot frontage necessary in order to avoid doing a zoning amendment. The initial offer of the abutting owner was to allow the developer to acquire 120 ft granting the current owner a lifetime use of that property and also a conveyance. An easement would be drawn up between the two parties for the use of the land. After discussing the matter with his attorney the abutting property owner felt that the developer should purchase his entire property. .
There was no Planning Report.
There was public participation as follows.
Eric Engleston, 388 Pleasant Valley Road spoke in opposition to the zone amendment. Mr. Engleston is the property owner that was approached by the developer for property that would give access for the proposed development. The easement would not work out since it would leave little or no buffer between thee house and the development making it difficult for the homeowner to sell his property in the future. Mr. Engleston feels that it would be better for the developer to purchase the property entirely along with the house.
The secretary read the correspondence for the record. (Exhibit A)
Commissioners had questions and concerns.
- Commissioners still had concerns with the site line issues that the future development could potentially have if the zone amendment is approved to allow only 60’ of frontage.
- Commissioners asked how this amendment would affect other properties in Town.
Lipe mentioned that there are other considerations involved with land use and rezoning that would have to be considered apart from the frontage requirements.
Commissioners agreed that the option identified by the applicant to purchase the property sounds like a better option than amending the existing regulations to accommodate a specific development.
Kennedy mentioned that the purchase of the abutting property is irrelevant, the question before the commission is whether it makes sense or not to change the regulations and it is a policy change.
Virginia Macro, 1828 Main Street asked if this zone amendment was a generic change that would apply to all future applications.
Kennedy responded that the zone change does not guarantee an approval of an application.
Peter DeMallie, Design Professionals withdrew the above mentioned application on behalf of the applicant.
REGULAR MEETING – MADDEN ROOM
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: None
- Appl. 99-06P, Lowes Change Order-request for seasonal outdoor display
Gary Campbell, Manager of Lowes discussed the above mentioned change order request.
At the moment the display of live goods outside of the store is not allowed. The normal practice is to get the plants in carts and wheel them back and forth every night. This creates labor problems and at times they have to dispose of plants that don’t sell because they are not visible to customers and they die before they are sold. The applicant is proposing a selling area or outside garden nursery display. The purpose is to make it a nicer display to attract customers and at the same time make it easier for the employees by leaving it out all night and not have to bring it in every night. Campbell reviewed the plans with the Commission.
Commission members had the following comments.
Commissioners agreed that a garden display is appropriate for that location just as long as the plants are properly watered.
Pacekonis made a motion to approve the above mentioned request. Kuehnel seconded the motion, the motion carried and the vote was unanimous.
- Appl. 06-03P, Tiger Lily Ventures corp. LLC- request for a five year extension to the original approval of the subdivision and special exception application
Lipe gave an update as follows.
Tiger Lily Subdivision was approved in 2006 for a 3 lot subdivision on Burnham Street and the approval is for 5 years and is due for an extension. No work has been started at this subdivision.
Pacekonis made a motion to approve the above mentioned extension. Wilson seconded the motion. The motion carried and the vote was unanimous.
Appl.11-06P, Kryla Zoning Amendment II – request for a zoning amendment to Table 3.1.2A to modify 200 foot frontage requirement for MF A/AA zones to allow the reduction to 50 feet with specific design criteria
The above item was withdrawn.
BONDS:
None
MINUTES:
The minutes dated 3-22-2011 were approved by consensus with minor corrections.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Kennedy discussed a recent appellate court decision that will require the Commission to update a portion of the bylaws. The court decided that when an application is in the deliberating stages alternates should not participate in the discussion if they are not voting on it. This item will be added to the next meeting agenda.
Lipe discussed the meeting that she recently had with CT Studios regarding a proposed solar field. The Studios is considering the adjacent property on Ellington Road and is proposing to install a 13 acre solar field that would service the studios at 100%. The solar panels do not create any sun glare and will require very low maintenance. It is an appropriate use for that zone and the applicant is looking for the Commissions’ feed back on what type of screening they might want in preparation of the site plan.
Commissioners had positive feed back and questioned the positioning of the panels and if they would face Ellington Road, the orientation of the panels would make a difference in determining what type of screening if any is needed.
Lipe notified the Commissioners that the Town has issued a request for qualifications for the Town Plan of Conservation and Development and the information is currently posted on the Town web site. A small committee should be formed to oversee the selection process.
ADJOURNMENT:
Sorenson made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Pacekonis seconded the motion. The motion carried and the vote was unanimous.
The meeting ended at 9:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted
PZC Approved on May 10, 2011
D. Maria Acevedo
Recording Secretary
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