TOWN OF WILLINGTON
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
MINUTES OF APRIL 20, 2004
A. Call to Order
Latincics called the meeting to order at 7:34 p.m.
B. Roll Call
Members Present: P. Latincics, Vice-Chairman
N. Gray (alt.)
A. St. Louise
R. Tulis
Members Absent: T. Lough
D. Lytwyn
Members Excused: T. Radell, Chairman
M. Dinallo (alt.)
M. Ellis, Secretary
P. Nevers
Also Present: S. Nimerowski, Recording Clerk
C. Seat Alternates
Gray was seated for Radell.
D. New Business
1. File #2004-08 – Application for a Special Permit to operate a florist shop at 15 River
Road (Map 5, Lot 3, Zone DC). Owner: AMPM Properties, LLC; Applicant:
Tolland Floral and More, LLC. (Received 4/6/04; Hearing on 5/4/04; Decision by
7/6/04.)
No one was present; application was tabled.
2. Review of Capital Improvement Program plan
Lynn Brown from CIP was present.
St. Louis said he had attended the town meeting on the budget. He said he asked why no money was allocated to finish the River Road recreation area fields, whereas money was moved to purchase land for a new firehouse. He said that CIP should address this concern.
Lynn Brown said a meeting is scheduled for April 28. She said about $120,000 will be needed to complete the fields.
Latincics said that Yorgensen provided copies of the CIP document for the Commission. He pointed out that page A-8 of the CIP defines the role of Planning and Zoning in the CIP process.
Discussion followed concerning the role of Planning and Zoning in the CIP.
St. Louis said his question was pertinent. He said that Planning and Zoning was approached by the town and that the Commission approved the project, but now there is no funding for the project.
Tulis said the point is that it was submitted for us for compliance to the PoCD. He said we can review and comment but the money issue has to go back to those responsible for the CIP. He said we have the draft report and we’re going to make comments on it.
Lynn Brown said they had a process that was somewhat ill-defined by the CIP Committee. She said three members resigned from the Committee, leaving their group “in limbo.” She said each group was to come up with their request for the CIP Committee. She said when they put the CIP together there was no request relative to the River Road field. She said there is money to be spent that would finish the project, and we can go ahead with the plan. She said next year we can do it over, revise the plan, and “got for it.”
Latincsics asked if each year every department has an opportunity to submit their requests.
St. Louis said this was not the case. He said the project was put together by the River Road Recreation Committee under the First Selectman’s office. He said the First Selectman, who was formerly the Recreation Director, should have had some knowledge of the project.
Lynn Brown said it is their plan to improve how things are handled. She said they need a year-long process. She said there is money there to move ahead with this project.
Latincsics said the plan was submitted to Planning and Zoning but that he needed to check with Yorgensen as to when it was received. He said we do play a role and we need to understand it better. He said that apparently there is no record of Planning and Zoning reviewing the CIP for the 8-9 years the CIP has been in existence.
St. Louis said we “put on our planning hats” and see that it meets the requirements of the PoCD and the Comprehensive Plan of Development. He said we can make recommendations but nothing says anyone has to do anything with it.
Tulis said it is an informational process. He asked if the CIP Committee is authorized by State statute or is it a town-initiated committee?
Tom Hisey replied that it is by State statute.
Tulis said we should work to keep the field funded. He said it’s not done once the grading is done. He said our recommendation is “let’s keep it funded.” Gray said he agreed.
Latincsics said he didn’t think we as a Commission should be making funding recommendations, to which Tulis replied that we’re not; we’re just saying, “Keep it moving to completion.” Latincsics said we should say “These fields are an important part of our plans.” St. Louis commented that it is an approved project. Tulis said we’re reviewing the CIP for compliance with the PoCD.
Tulis said that line FH10 of the 2004-2005 CIP shows $110,000 for land acquisition for Willington Hill, which is inconsistent with our PoCD. He said our review should not be construed as approval under 8-24; it is not appropriate. He said the study of emergency services for the Town of Willington was done in 1999, and there is a recommendation in there for buildings. He said the study does call for future facilities. He said that a “smart plan” would be to have a safety complex shared by both fire departments. He said that acquiring land for one fire department would make the other one want it, too. He asked if they already had their eye on a particular piece of land.
Latincsics said there is a “long history” of both departments wanting to replace their facilities. He said that the department is surrendering blocks of money to dedicate those funds to seeking a potential new site for their facility. He said he didn’t think it was appropriate for us to discuss the process of transfer of funds.
Gray asked if the capital investment was spread over several years, and if staff was satisfied with that. Lynn Brown said they were.
Tulis asked about W02 and W05, Village Hill and Clint Eldredge bridges. Tom Hisey replied that both should be done by now. Tulis asked if W43, Keschkes Road, involved the road or a bridge replacement. Lynn Brown replied a bridge. Tulis asked if the idea of sidewalks at Hall School came out of the Sidewalk Committee. Mrs. Brown replied that it has been on there for a long time. Tulis said he thought that repair work was going to be done. He said he was not necessarily expressing displeasure with replacement, he just wanted to make sure that more sidewalks other than those in front of the Hall School were being replaced.
Latincsics said he would share the following stated concerns with the Chairman, who will share them with the Board of Selectmen: the River Road project, the fire facilities, and sidewalks.
Latincsics said there will be a town meeting on the 26th, and a CIP meeting on the 28th.
Lynn Brown said that nothing can be changed now in the plan; however, they “wanted to get it right” next year.
St. Louis said he thought the Board of Finance should administer the CIP – some towns do it that way.
Tulis commented that in light of the fact that nothing can be changed, “It is a stupid time to review it.” St. Louis agreed, emphasizing that he is “not pointing any fingers.”
E. Public Comment
“The Commission will hear brief comments from anyone wishing to speak. No business can be conducted here not can any comments be made about any public hearing item.”
Robert Hisey of 67 Timber Road said that he assumed the Commission was talking about 126 of Title 8 of the Connecticut state statutes. He said that 126 concerns Municipal Planning Boards/Commissions. He said that 124 is zoning. He asked if the Commission was acting in their capacity of planning or of zoning?
Latincsics replied that when we address the CIP or PoCD, we are acting in our planning capacity.
Mr. Hisey asked what authority the Planning Commission has to even consider funding.
Latincsics replied that we don’t have direct control over funding, but we will identify sites and facilities that are relevant to that.
Mr. Hisey said he strongly suggested that the Commission look at Title 8, 126, Section 123-124, and see what its responsibilities are.
A brief discussion followed.
Jan Belair of Village Hill Road said she had appeared before the Board two months ago concerning 150-166 Village Hill Road. She said she wanted to know the consequence or result of the matter. She gave Latincsics petitions signed by neighbors and those who pass by the site, as well as photographs; Latincsics noted the information was received as of April 20, 2004.
F. Old Business
None.
G. Minutes
Some information in “Staff Report and Discussion” in the April 6, 2004 minutes was unclear; Recording Clerk Sue Nimerowski said she would clarify the matter with Agent Yorgensen. Also, under “Adjournment,” the result of the motion was missing.
MOTION: To approve minutes of April 6, 2004 as amended.
By: St. Louis Seconded: Tulis
Result: Motion passes unanimously.
H. Correspondence
1. Several copies of the CIP.
2. Letter and citizen petitions concerning Halchek property at 150-166 Village Hill Road
received from Jan Belair of Village Hill Road on April 20, 2004.
Latincsics said the letter and petitions from Mrs. Belair will be given directly to Agent Yorgensen.
Mrs. Belair asked if anything has happened since the deadline of April 15. She asked to see correspondence concerning the status of this matter. She emphasized that she doesn’t want hers to be viewed as the sole complaint. She said she would like follow-up, and Latincsics said he would make sure the Staff does so.
It was suggested that Mrs. Belair contact the office to set up an appointment with Yorgensen to review the matter.
I. Staff Report and Discussion
Latinciscs said he did not know the reason for the absence of Staff tonight.
J. Adjournment
MOTION: To adjourn at 8:34 p.m.
By: St. Louis Seconded: Tulis
Result: Motion passes unanimously.
Gray asked to be excused from the next meeting.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan S. Nimerowski
Recording Clerk
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