Planning and Zoning Commission
40 Old Farms Road Willington, CT 06279
July 18, 2006 – 7:30 P M
Public Hearing called to order at 7:30 PM by Chairman Ellis
Roll Call:
Members Present: M. Ellis, Chairman
N. Gray
P. Nevers
T. Murphy
Members Absent: A. Marco, Secretary
P. Latincsics
Members Excused: R. Tulis, Vice Chair
Also Present: S. Yorgensen, Planning and Zoning Agent
No alternates seated.
Public Hearing
File 2006-30- Application for a Special Permit to operate a dance studio at 11 Phelps Way (Map 30, Lot 14, Zone DC) Owners: C&S Willington Limited Partnership; Applicant Laura H. Cheverier (Received/Public Hearing: 7/18/2006; Decision by 9/14/2006)
Laura Cheverier was present to discuss her application for a special permit to open a dance studio. She stated that she has taught dance in the town of Ashford and is also a school nurse there. She stated that she feels that she would like to combine these two jobs and teach dance to special needs students as well as teach regular dance classes.
M. Ellis asked if the sign for the dance studio will match the other signs in the plaza. Ms. Cheverier stated that it will. M. Ellis went through the application and stated that there is approval from Eastern Highlands Health District as well as from the fire marshal. The approval from the fire marshal came with the conditions that an extra fire extinguisher be installed as well as a bulb changed in the fire exit sign. Ms. Cheverier stated that she is in the process of taking care of these items.
M. Ellis asked Ms. Cheverier what she planned to do about pick up and drop off times so there would not be children hanging out outside or in the parking lot. Ms. Cheverier stated that she was planning on charging extra for every fifteen minutes that a parent is late. She stated that this will encourage parents to be on time. Ms. Cheverier stated that the children will not be allowed to wait outside that they will need to wait inside the studio for their parent.
T. Murphy asked what the hours of operation will be for the dance studio. Ms. Cheverier stated that most of her classes will be held after school until 8:00 PM, the adult classes will be from 7:30 to 8:30 PM and the children’s classes will end around 7:30 PM. She said that she will have a few classes in the day time for children who are not enrolled in school yet.
M. Ellis asked how many staff people will be employed, Ms. Cheverier stated that there will be approximately five staff members. M. Ellis asked where the handicapped spaces are located in relation to the studio. Ms. Cheverier stated that there is one directly across from her door as well as a handicapped ramp in front of her door. She went on to explain that her studio will be handicapped accessible and she is currently waiting for the landlord to widen the bathroom door so that will be handicapped accessible as well.
The commission opened the floor to the public to make comments.
Jim Poole, Chairman of the Economic Development Committee stated that the Committee was in favor of the dance studio opening. He stated that the parking lot where the studio will be located is in need of being striped and the handicapped spaces need to be more clearly defined. Mr. Poole asked the commission to send a letter to the landlord requesting that the parking lot be fixed.
Mary Bowen- Luchon Rd, stated that she thought the dance studio was a wonderful opportunity for the town.
N. Gray made a motion to close the public hearing, T. Murphy seconded the motion, all in favor, and thus the public hearing is closed.
Regular Meeting
The Regular meeting was called to order by Chairman Ellis
Members were seated as above.
M. Ellis made a motion to add an item to be heard under Pre-Applications. N. Gray seconded the motion, all in favor, thus the motion carried.
File 2006-26- Application for modification of site plan and special permit for property at 7 Ruby Road (Map 23, Lot 7, Zone R80) Owner/Applicant: Town of Willington (Received 6/20/06, Decision by 8/15/06)
The Library Board and their engineer were present to discuss their application. The engineer passed out amended copies of the plan for the sign that will be placed in front of the new library. A discussion about how to light the sign took place. The engineer had several options for lighting, the first would be 70 watt flood lights, the second would be an internally lighted sign, but felt this would not go with the character of the library, the third option was four low voltage lamps located on the ground with low junipers planted around them to avoid glare. The last lighting option was a low voltage lamp on a post that would become part of the sign; the engineer felt that this option would take away from the simplicity of the sign.
P. Nevers stated that he does not care for ground lighting due to problems it causes to drivers as they pass by. He asked how deep the lights would be recessed into the ground. The engineer said they will be one and a half inches down. P. Nevers asked if the lights will be on all the time. The engineer said that most likely they will be on a timer with the parking lot lights and will shut off after closing.
N. Gray stated that he agrees with the engineer that having a light attached to the sign does detract from the architecture of the sign.
S. Yorgensen asked if a shield could be placed on the light to reduce upward lighting, as the regulations due not allow up lighting.
The Commission continued to discuss various lighting options. The consensus of the Commission was that alternate a and b could not be approved and they would like to see other alternatives before the next meeting.
File 2006-33- Application for Special Permit to a commercial building supply retail use at 14 & 16 Tolland Turnpike (Map 30, Lot 13, Zone DC) Owner/Applicant Chase Realty LLC (Contact: Jeff Smith) (Received 7/18/2006; Public Hearing/Decision by 8/15/2006)
Carol Rogers, the engineer for Chase was present to discuss the application. She stated that her client would like to add an addition on to an existing retail building, the new building will require a new well and new septic tank. She stated that part of the existing barn will be removed as well as the parking area to build the addition. Ms. Rogers stated that she has received approval from ZBA for a new side yard. They have also received approval for building from Wetlands and the Health department. Ms. Rogers asked to be put on the agenda for the next meeting for a public hearing.
N. Gray made a motion to hold a public hearing on 8/15/06 for file 2006-33 with a site walk scheduled for 8/12/06 at 9:00 AM. P. Nevers seconded the motion, all in favor, thus the motion carries.
Pre-Application
Herbert Clyde was present to discuss a proposal for a zone change on Turnpike Road from residential to industrial zoning to fit with the zoning on Ruby Road. He said that he would also like to have the properties boundary lines smoothed out for the purpose of selling the land.
M. Ellis asked Mr. Clyde if he was planning on building a sub-division. Mr. Clyde said he was not. N. Gray stated that he feels that his should go to a public hearing.
Old Business
File 2006-02- Review of final plans for Lechowicz Farms Estates
The commission went through the final plans to see if they meet the conditions. The consensus of the Commission was that the plans do not reflect the conditions of approval. The commission said to send the applicant back the plans.
File 2006-30 Application for a Special Permit to operate a dance studio at 11 Phelps Way (Map 30, Lot 14, Zone DC) Owners: C&S Willington Limited Partnership; Applicant Laura H. Cheverier (Received/Public Hearing: 7/18/2006; Decision by 9/14/2006)
N. Gray made a motion to approve File 2006-30 Application for a Special Permit to operate a dance studio at 11 Phelps Way (Map 30, Lot 14, Zone DC) Owners: C&S Willington Limited Partnership; Applicant Laura H. Cheverier with the conditions that the fire marshals requests be met as well as the door to the bathroom be enlarged, and that children will not be allowed to wait outside in the parking lot to be picked up. Motion seconded by T. Murphy, all in favor thus the motion carries.
File 2006-26 Application for modification of site plan and special permit for property at 7 Ruby Road (Map 23, Lot 7, Zone R80) Owner/Applicant: Town of Willington (Received 6/20/06, Decision by 8/15/06)
The commission discussed the application and the lighting options that were presented to them. Jim Poole asked if he was allowed to speak regarding the application. The commission said he could. Mr. Poole said that he would like the commission to maintain the regulation against upward lighting. P. Nevers agreed. The commission decided that they needed time to go over the lighting options and tabled the application to the next meeting. They would like to the applicant to submit diagrams of light spread and cut sheet details for alternative c and different alternatives before the next meeting. The Commission would like to see the information prior to the meeting.
Public Comment
None
Approval of Minutes
T. Murphy made a motion to approve the minutes from 6/20/06, N. Gray seconded the motion, all in favor, and thus the motion carries.
Correspondence:
1. Letter from Howd & Ludorf, LLC regarding lawsuit against Willington from Patti A. Wright.
2. Letter from Glen Martin landlord of 18 Navratil Road stating he removed junk cars from his property.
3. Letter of resignation from Dave Ridzon
4. Letter to Board of Selectman asking them to appoint alternates to Planning and Zoning Commission
5. Complaint from Bob Bloom, 164 Daleville Road regarding more than two no trespassing signs posted on 168 Daleville Road
Sub-Committee Reports
Agendas were handed out to each sub-committee chairperson
Staff Report and Discussion
Staff reported that letters were sent out to all Willington businesses that were conducting business outside of their establishment. The letters reminded the business that their special permits do not allow for outdoor use.
Staff stated that they received a letter from the Eldredge’s engineer requesting an extension to file there mylars due to having problems with abutters. The commission granted a ninety day extension.
Staff reported that the owners of Phelps Crossing seem to be in the process of making repairs to their parking lot. Staff said that they will call the landlord to see what their current plan for repair is and ask them to fix the markings for the handicapped spaces. The commission asked that the landlords put their plan into writing with target completion dates and send it to them.
Staff reported that the letters to non conforming sand and gravel have been sent out.
Motion to adjourn was made by P. Nevers at 8:50 PM N. Gray seconded the motion, all in favor, thus the motion carries.
Respectfully Submitted,
Melissa McDonough
Reporting Clerk
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