TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
Minutes 1 April 4, 2013
MEMBERS PRESENT: Thomas Berstene, Joseph Etter, Joseph Kennedy, James Kupchunos
ALTERNATES PRESENT: Edwina Futtner, Steven Carty, Wayne Kilburn sitting for Teri Dickey-Gaignat
STAFF PRESENT: Pamela Oliva, Zoning Enforcement Officer
Donna Thompson, Recording Secretary
The following are motions made during the April 4, 2013 Public Hearing/Regular Meeting.
Chairperson Berstene called the public hearing to order at 7:35 pm in the Madden Room.
The Recording Secretary read the legal notice as published in the Journal Inquirer into the record.
Public Hearing
Appl. 2768-13 – Between Rounds - request for a variance to Section 6.5.8I.3 to allow a free standing sign 16 feet in height (12 feet allowed), on property located at 19 John Fitch Blvd., GC zone.
Joseph Puiia, owner and applicant, presented the application. Mr. Puiia stated that he felt the hardships are the unusually large setback, visibility being obstructed by trees from the East Hartford direction, and all other businesses in the area having very tall signs. He just wants the ability to compete with other businesses offering food service and a sixteen foot sign will help him do that. The sixteen foot sign will help public see and maneuver more safely due to amount of and speed of traffic. When questioned about the previous variance granted in 1995 for a thirteen foot sign, Mr. Puiia stated that they realized it would not have been visible due to a neighboring willow tree that has since come down.
A discussion regarding the applicable section of the regulations occurred. It was clarified that section 6.5.8I.3 was the applicable section due it addressing the height of a freestanding embellished sign. Mr. Puiia’s proposed sign is a freestanding embellished sign.
Chair called a 10 minute break at 8:20 pm and meeting resumed at 8:30 pm.
Chairperson Berstene read into the record a letter in support of this application from resident Gary Bazzanno, 53 Spinners Run.
Motion to: close the public hearing at 8:40 pm
Was made by Commissioner Etter
Seconded by Commissioner Kennedy
The motion: carried 5 - 0
Vote: unanimous
Deliberative Session
Appl. 2768-13 – Between Rounds - request for a variance to Section 6.5.8I.3 to allow a free standing sign 16 feet in height (12 feet allowed), on property located at 19 John Fitch Blvd., GC zone.
Motion to: approve Appl. #2768-13 as stated in the legal notice, with the following condition: the variance granted in 1995 for application #2297-95 be considered null and void as to the height of the sign only. It is replaced by the variance granted for #2768-13.
Hardship: the 45 foot setback required by the State of CT, which could potentially block view of the sign from both southbound and northbound traffic.
Was made by Commissioner Kennedy
Seconded by Commissioner Kilburn
The motion: carried 5 - 0
Vote: unanimous
Approval of Minutes:
Motion to: approve minutes of 1/3/2013, as revised
Was made by Commissioner Etter
Seconded by Commissioner Kupchunos
The motion: carried 5 - 0
Vote: unanimous
Old Business:
Chairperson Berstene stated that the bylaws review is being postponed due to lack of recommendations being submitted.
Chairperson Berstene also stated that further discussion of ZBA application fee modification is being postponed pending the possibility of a change in the requirement for towns to post all legal notices in local newspapers.
Adjournment:
Motion to: adjourn the meeting at 8:51 pm
Was made by Commissioner Etter
The motion: carried
Vote: unanimous
Respectfully submitted:
Donna Thompson
Recording Secretary
Approved: May 2, 2013
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