TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
DRAFT MINUTES
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012
REGULAR MEETING MADDEN ROOM 7:30 PM
Commissioners: Patrick Kennedy, Bart Pacekonis, Viney Wilson, Mario Marrero, Elizabeth Kuehnel
Alternates: Stephanie Dexter, Will Butter, Stephen Wagner
Town Staff: Michele Lipe, Lauren Zarambo
Absent: Kevin Foley, William Carroll
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APPLICATIONS TO BE OFFICIALLY RECEIVED:
- Appl. 12-46P, DeMallie Outdoor Dining Permits Zoning Amendment - request to amend section 7.15A.1 to make minor changes to the current approval process of small scale proposals; amend section 7.15B.8 to allow for outside audio systems under certain conditions; and to amend section 7.15B.11 to increase the number of tables that can be proposed without waitpersons
- Appl. 12-47P, Dairy Queen Grill & Chill – request for a site plan modification to make minor changes to the existing parking area; to add a parking area on the adjacent town property, and to add an area for outside dining, on property located at 845 Sullivan Ave., GC zone
REGULAR MEETING / MADDEN ROOM
CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Kennedy called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:30 pm.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: None
NEW BUSINESS: Discussion/Decision/Action regarding the following:
- Plan of Conservation and Development – Heidi Samokar of Planimetrics to review Community Survey Results (copies distributed at meeting)
Heidi Samokar of Planimetrics unveiled the results of the POCD Community Survey which was available for residents to take from October 23rd – November 9th. Town staff took care of publicity on the Town website, Facebook, flyers, posters, newspaper articles and direct outreach to various organizations. 481 residents and one non resident (whose response was not used) took the survey predominately online but also through paper copies which were returned to the Planning Department to be entered into ‘Survey Monkey’. All analysis was done electronically.
Demographically, a little over half of the respondents were female which matches the ratio of females to males in the adult population in South Windsor. The survey underrepresented people in the 18-24 age groups and slightly over represented the 45 -74 age groups. A little more than half of the respondents did not have children. Most respondents had 2 adults living in household and 20 % had 3 or 4 adults living in their households. Fifty percent had lived in South Windsor for more than 20 years. The number of residents taking the survey in each of the four designated regions matched actual population numbers with the exception of Region 4 which was slightly underrepresented in the survey.
The majority of those taking the survey responded the quality of life in South Windsor is overwhelmingly good. Almost all were very or somewhat satisfied with the Town as a place to live or raise children and the majority responded that town services are very important.
Farmland and open space preservation and hiking/walking along the Connecticut River are important topics to be protected for more than half the respondents. The number drops to half (although still the majority of respondents) for the preservation of older buildings. There is far less support however for the Town to set aside funds for the preservation of older buildings. The strongest support is for farmland preservation and open space preservation with the majority agreeing Town funding should be set aside for that preservation. Differences were noted by region. Regions 3 and 4 supported preserving farms and open space substantially more than Regions 1 and 2. Older building preservation received most support from Region 3 where Main Street is located.
Vice Chairman Pacekonis asked if the regions were equally populated. Ms Samokar responded they are not; Region 3 is the least populated and Region 1 the most but percentage rather than the total number was what was important.
The majority of all respondents answered the question about the importance of preserving the character of Main Street as ‘important’ with Regions 3 and 4 responding with the strongest support. There were 3 options on how to answer the question of which option for Main Street is most favorable: 1. Do nothing (by leaving zoning as it is today). 2. Do something with zoning. Or, 3. Purchase the development or property rights. The greatest percentage replied ‘Do nothing’ and next greatest percentage responded ‘purchase development rights’. Ms. Samokar stated, without wanting to impose her view on what the respondents were thinking, the option of ‘doing nothing’ may have been misinterpreted as leaving the area as it is with no new development. If this was the case, it is
difficult to gain clear direction from the survey on this question and it deserves further focus. Vice Chairman Pacekonis stated when the numbers are added up, it is about a 65 to 35 split; that people want to do something but they just don’t agree on what to do. Ms Samokar agreed either purchasing or do something with zoning or that it’s pretty much split in that 1/3 say do nothing, 1/3 say do something with zoning and 1/3 say do something involving purchasing. Pacekonis continued on the subject of purchasing that 3 to 1 want to purchase the development rights rather than purchase the property. Ms Samokar stated by region the do nothing approach was extremely popular with Region 2 and purchasing of rights or land was most popular with Region 3.
At least half of all respondents liked the look of new commercial development with the most support, 70 %, pleased with Evergreen Walk and strong support for the new FedEx building. One half agreed a good job is being done overall with residential and commercial development with ½ responding the new Aldi and Hartford Hospital facility were good. By region, Region 3 had the highest percentage of people disagreeing that the town is doing a good job and a small percentage of Region 1 and 4 disliked Evergreen Walk (being the areas closest to it).
Façade improvement programs, to help businesses improve their appearance, had majority support (58 %) with ½ responding only if funded by grants rather than town money.
Taxes and how development affects the character of the Town were the most important factors in planning a new commercial development.
Printed newspaper and word of mouth were the primary sources for learning about proposed development in Town.
Having a ‘Town Center’ was very important for 36 %, somewhat important for 32 % and unimportant for 14 %. There was 62 % support for a town center located in the commercial town hall / library area.
Forty-six percent responded mixed use development was desirable and it was most popular at Evergreen Walk.
On the subject of future housing needs of residents, the highest percentage, 48 %, responded they have no need for change or were unsure. If a change was needed, the highest percentage responded they would downsize to a smaller single family house, age restricted housing or go into a larger single family house. The majority responded their needs could be met in South Windsor.
Concerning what types of business could go into vacant buildings on Sullivan Avenue the majority responded ‘other’ which included industrial / manufacturing, ‘green’ technology / industry, apartments, mixed use, ‘anything that does not create truck traffic’, recreational and cultural uses, retail, restaurants and office use.
Eight-four percent of respondents were not prevented from building something / or doing something on their property. Nine percent responded they have been prevented on zoning related subjects such as having chickens, set back issues, wetlands, sewer issues and tiger beetles.
The majority of respondents, 49 %, thought there was an adequate amount of space for community groups to meet. Twenty-nine percent said no and 14 % were unsure.
One half of the respondents thought traffic was an issue on Buckland Road and somewhat less than ½ thought traffic was an issue on Sullivan Avenue and very few thought it was an issue on Route 5. By region, Region 2 was more likely to say traffic was an issue on Sullivan Avenue, Region 3 was more likely to say traffic was an issue on Route 5 and Regions 1 and 4 more likely to say it was an issue on Buckland Road.
Only 5 % of residents have taken the bus in South Windsor and 75 % of all residents responding said nothing would make them increase their bus use.
There was strong agreement and a large number of neutral respondents for more opportunities to walk in South Windsor rather than drive. The areas with the strongest interest were in the Town Center area and commercial areas in general including Evergreen Walk, along major roads and parks. There was also majority support and larger neutral support for more opportunities to bike to places rather than to drive though that support was not as strong as for the aforementioned walking. More of the support for biking came from households with children.
The most important priority receiving support for overall issues facing South Windsor over the next ten years was ‘Increasing business development’, secondly ‘Preserving undeveloped land for open space’. Commissioner Butter noted tied for third place were ‘Having a recognizable town center’, ‘Providing more sidewalks and walking paths’, ‘Preserving farmland for farming’, ‘Addressing traffic’ and ‘Maintaining roads’. The question concerning the second highest priority facing South Windsor was answered as ‘Maintaining roads’ and ‘Preserving undeveloped land for open space’.
Commissioner Wagner asked what the sample of error was for the survey. Ms. Samokar replied that it was not a statistically valid survey. Planner Lipe stated anyone could take the survey. The survey was self selected and not screened in any way.
On the subject of gateways to South Windsor, the majority of respondents replied they were very or somewhat dissatisfied with the appearance Route 5 Gateway coming from East Hartford with 22 % having a neutral response. The appearance of the gateway coming from East Windsor on Route 5 was more positive with 63 % highly or somewhat satisfied and 25 % neutral. The appearance of the Buckland Road gateway was positively viewed by 48 % with ¼ of the respondents dissatisfied which may be because it is still an evolving area. The appearance of the 291 east bound off-ramp had the highest percentage of satisfaction at 80 %. Coming in from the Oakland Road / Route 30 gateway, 75 % of respondents were satisfied. The majority of respondents were neutral toward the appearance of the Pleasant Valley Road gateway with 1/3 of the
respondents as satisfied and 1/3 unsatisfied. The appearance of Ellington Road / Route 74 gateway had a similar response with the majority as neutral, 20 % satisfied and 26 % dissatisfied.
Ms. Samokar asked for commentary from the Commissioners. Commissioner Wagner stated South Windsor was just made into a bike friendly community and that biking may need to be mentioned in conjunction with walking. There may be more support for biking on multi use walking trails. Commissioner Wilson continued on the subject of greatest use stated there may be more support for sidewalks that everyone can use over bike lanes that not everyone uses. Commissioner Butter was interested to see the response for the commercial Town Hall / Library area as the Town Center. Ms. Samokar stated she expected Evergreen Walk to have had more responses and it was good to have the traditional town center where there are historic roots, the town hall and churches. Vice Chairman Pacekonis stated that geographically Evergreen walk appears to
be an extension of Manchester not the town center. Commissioner Wilson was not surprised by street maintenance being a priority as it was what passed in the referendum.
All Commissioners agreed to have the Town Plan document created in a landscape format organized with a topical rather than a narrative approach. Chairman Kennedy stated the POCD is a legal document called for by state statute and should be topical.
Ms Samokar’s next step will be to pull all commentary together and create a first draft for the Commissioners to have for two to three weeks to read through. There will then be two to three consecutive meetings to get all the Commissioners comments and then it will be written for the public.
- Review/Approval of Meetings Calendar for 2013
Commissioner Wilson made a motion to approve the 2013 Meetings Calendar. Commissioner Kuehnel seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous and the calendar was accepted.
BONDS:
Landscaping Bond: 04-66P, Stowe Kitchen & Bath, Amt: $2000 / Reduction: $2000 / Balance: 0
Vice Chairman Pacekonis made a motion to approve. Commissioner Kuehnel seconded the motion. The motion carried and the vote was unanimous.
IWA/CC Bond: 11-22P, Neary Interior Lot, Amt: $5000 / Reduction: $3000 / Balance: $2000
Planner Lipe read Senior Environmental Planner Folger’s recommendation. Vice Chairman Pacekonis made a motion to approve. Commissioner Butter seconded the motion. The motion carried and the vote was unanimous.
MINUTES: 10/09/2012 adopted by consensus.
OLD BUSINESS: see page 2
OTHER BUSINESS:
CORRESPONDENCE / REPORTS:
ADJOURNMENT:
Vice Chairman Pacekonis made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Wilson seconded the motion. The motion carried and the vote was unanimous. The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lauren L Zarambo
Recording Secretary
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