TOWN OF WILLINGTON
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
MINUTES OF MARCH 4, 2003 MEETING
A. Call to Order
St. Louis called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. at the Town Office Building, 40 Old Farms Road, Willington, CT.
B. & C. Roll Call/Seat Alternates
Members Present: A. St. Louis, Chairman
R. Tulis, Vice-Chairman
N. Gray
P. Nevers
T. Radell
S. Trueb
Members Absent: W. Goodale (alt.)
D. Lytwynn
Members Excused: M. Ellis
Also Present: S. Yorgensen, Planning and Zoning Agent
S. Nimerowski, Recording Clerk
D. New Business
1. Pre-Application – Informational meeting/discussion to preliminarily discuss the
campground regulations currently in place as well as future development of the
Wilderness Lake site (aka Rainbow Acres) located on Village Hill Road. (Map 43,
Lot 124, 99.5 acres). Owner: Raymond Crossen.
Atty. Capossela said he had a meeting recently with Henry Torcellini, Raymond Crossen, and Sue Yorgensen and several issues were raised. He noted this is not a final application. He acknowledged that what they are proposing to do with the property does not fit under the current regulations. Atty. Capossela showed a topo map of the area.
Atty. Capossela said he doesn’t think Mr. Crossen needs a variance for the driveway. He said that the lines for the zones don’t follow the property lines, and this should be changed. He said that in his opinion regulations could either be changed to shorten setbacks, or the zone could be changed. Atty. Capossela quoted regulations that indicated that Planning and Zoning could make these changes.
Tulis agreed that better delineating the zone boundary would be a good idea.
Atty. Capossela said that data is available for A-2 certification, and that “tweaking” the zone boundaries would be good.
A discussion followed concerning setback regulations, with St. Louis commenting that consistency throughout the regulations is necessary.
Tulis indicated that the top left section of the map needs topo information, and Mr. Crossen replied that the area in question is swamp.
Atty. Capossela said that ultimately Mr. Crossen’s goal is to have an upscale, year-around recreational vehicle area, cross-country skiing, and a community center open for outside events.
A discussion followed concerning live entertainment and outside events. St. Louis said that under Section 11.1.201, Restaurants, no outside sitting or eating is allowed except as an accessory use.
Atty. Capossela asked if an accessory use to an accessory use if allowed, to which Yorgensen replied that accessory must be to the primary use.
A brief discussion ensued about liquor permits.
Atty. Capossela indicated that he has been unable to come up with a “fix” for the seasonal use problem, and that the 200 ft. setback is also a problem.
Mr. Crossen said that most campgrounds around the country are year-around now, with “year-around” being defined as sites being used in the fall and winter short-term only, and that the structures should be movable within 24 hours. Tulis said that enforcement is the problem. Atty. Capossela said he needs a way to assure the Commission that long-term residency will not occur. He said that Mr. Crossen wants to build two permanent home on the property, one for the manager and one for the caretaker. Mr. Crossen said the winter use would be limited to the pine grove area, for a total of 26 sites. He said the bath house would be open and the caretaker and manager would be present at the campgrounds. Atty. Capossela said that if they sought a permit, 26 sites would be
specified.
More discussion ensued concerning zoning/property lines as well as concerning putting a utility building within the 200 ft. setback. Yorgensen said a public hearing would be required for changing the zoning lines.
At 9:16 p.m. the Commission took a short break.
E. New Business
St. Louis changed the order of the agenda.
1. Review a request for renewal of special permit for American Eagle Saloon & Café, 15
River Road (Map 5, Lot 3, Zone DC). Owner: Amy Moore. Expiration date of
special permit 4/1/03.
Yorgensen noted that this permit is renewable annually.
Amy Moore gave St. Louis a letter from the State Police, stating what activity they have on file for the American Eagle. She said the only complaint was one she made herself about someone walking out with a carved wooden bear.
St. Louis asked if she was here because of complaints made at the recent Public Hearing, and Ms. Moore replied yes. St. Louis reminded Ms. Moore that live entertainment (bands, male strippers, karaoke, wet T-shirt contests) or external speakers on the building are not allowed. Ms. Moore said she understood and would comply. She said she hasn’t submitted a revised parking plan yet because of the snow. Ms. Moore said she will be putting in a fence as promised, and is not pursuing the matter of pig roasts right now.
Yorgensen said that noise on the property meets performance standards except possibly when motorcycles rev up. She noted that conditions could be placed on the renewal.
St. Louis asked if bouncers were used, and Ms. Moore replied no, she has four employees and two cooks altogether and they take care of things. St. Louis asked about hours of operation, and Ms. Moore replied 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 2:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday. She said that those who do burn-outs and smoke shows on her property are prohibited from coming back.
Tulis said that poker runs hurt Ms. Moore’s public image because so many bikers come through, and that she needs to deal with that issue. He said that if she advertises on websites, she will have problems. Ms. Moore denied advertising on websites, to which Tulis replied that the American Eagle is there anyway.
St. Louis said that conditions will be drafted for the next meeting, and that the present
permit is good until April 1. Ms. Moore said that her business is up for sale. St. Louis said the special permit renewal will be put on the agenda for the next meeting, March 18.
2. File #2003-12 – Application for timber harvest on property located at 185 Luchon
Road (Map 19, Lot 43B, 10 acres). Owner: Gary Parizek; Applicant: Hull Forest
Products, Inc. (Received 3/4/2003, Hearing 5/5/2003, Decision by 6/3/2003.)
Mike Bartlett, Certified Forestor with Hull Forest Products, said that the harvest of 18,000 board feet involving 181 trees will be relatively small, and that the trees are marked. He said that access is via an existing driveway. He said there are no wetlands involved on the relatively dry site; the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission ruled “no jurisdiction” recently. He said abutters have been notified by certified mail and the site plan has been submitted.
St. Louis noted that the green cards have been received. He asked about hours of operation, to which Mr. Bartlett replied the normal work hours of 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mr. Bartlett said there are no neighbors, and that the job will take approximately one week.
MOTION: To approve File #2003-12 with the following condition:
· hours of operation 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
By: Trueb Seconded: Nevers
Result: Motion passes unanimously.
3. File #2003-13 – Application for timber harvest on property located on Jared Sparks
Road (Map 32, Lot 5A, 30 acres). Owner: Ronald Pal; Applicant: Hull Forest
Products, Inc. (Received 3/4/2003, Hearing 5/5/2003, Decision by 6/3/2003.)
Mike Bartlett said this will be a selective harvest of 85,000 board feet, and that the property was logged about 15-20 years ago. He said they will use the existing trails that have been kept open. He said the trees are marked.
St. Louis said that the green cards have been received.
Mr. Bartlett said that they intended to follow best management practices, with seeding and mulching.
MOTION: To approve File #2003-13 with the following condition:
· hours of operation 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
By: Trueb Seconded: Radell
Result: Motion passes unanimously.
4. Expiration of a subdivision that includes assessors Map 7, lots 5-A1, 5-A2, and 5-A3.
A plan entitled “Resubdivision Plan Prepared for Richard P. and Joan P. LeBlond,
Daleville Road, Willington, CT.” Sheets 1-3 Dated 5/11/92, Approved 9/15/92,
Expired 12/8/97, Extension Granted, Expired 2002 pursuant to CT General Statutes
Section 8-26C.
Yorgensen said the LeBlonds were notified about the meeting.
MOTION: To declare the subdivision expired pursuant to CT General Statutes
Section 8-26C and therefore void.
By: Tulis Seconded: Trueb
Result: Motion passes unanimously.
5. Release of Pass Book for “Resubdivision Plan Prepared for Richard P. and Joan P.
LeBlond, Daleville Road, Willington, CT.”
MOTION: To release Pass Book for “Resubdivision Plan Prepared for Richard
P. and Joan P. LeBlond, Daleville Road, Willington, CT.”
By: Tulis Seconded: Nevers
Result: Motion passes unanimously.
F. Old Business
Yorgensen said that File #2003-10 should have been on the agenda for tonight.
MOTION: To add to the Agenda File #2003-10 – Application for Modification
of Special Permit for property at 666 River Road (Map 20, Lot 1-03,
Zone DI, 15 acres). Owner/Applicant: Carol & Roger Schofield.
(Received 2/18/2003; Hearing by 3/18/2003; Decision by 5/20/2003.)
By: Tulis Seconded: Trueb
Result: Motion passes unanimously.
Yorgensen said that the State of Connecticut Health Department must inspect the machine. St. Louis read a letter regarding the requirement for 2 distrubution sourses and the state authority to approve the ice machine that was requested from Mr. Schofield at the February 18 meeting. Tulis said that at this last meeting the consensus was that a public hearing was unnecessary. He noted that the special permit is annually renewable in case of traffic or other problems.
MOTION: To approve File #2003-10 – Application for Modification of Special
Permit for property at 666 River Road (Map 20, Lot 1-03, Zone DI,
15 acres) with conditions of original approval and with the permit
renewable annually.
By: Trueb Seconded: Tulis
Result: Motion passes unanimously.
F. Minutes
MOTION: To approve minutes of February 18, 2003.
By: Tulis Seconded: T. Radell
Result: Motion passes 5-0-1 (St. Louis abstains).
G. Correspondence
1. Letter dated February 18, 2003 from John Patton to Mr. Michael J. Bartlett
of Hull Forest Products, Inc.
re: Eldredge Mills Road and Mrs. LaFramboise
2. Application for the Connecticut Transportation Institute’s Technology Transfer
Center workshop, “Chain Saw Operating Techniques,” April 28 or 29, 2003.
3. Application for University of Connecticut seminar, “Effective Communication
Skills,” April 15, 16, or 17
H. & I. Discussion/Staff Report
A discussion ensued regarding the storage shed behind the Town office building. The consensus was that Yorgensen will send a letter to the Board of Selectmen, the Little League, and the Recreation Department.
J. Adjournment
MOTION: To adjourn at 10:28 p.m.
By: Tulis Seconded: Nevers
Result: Motion passes unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan S. Nimerowski
Recording Clerk
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