Town of Willington
Planning and Zoning commission
40 Old Farms Road
Willington, CT 06279
Meeting Minutes of September 5, 2006
Public Hearings called to order at 7:30 PM by Chairman Ellis.
Roll Call:
Members Present: M. Ellis, Chairman
R. Tulis, Vice Chairman
A. Marco, Secretary
N. Gray
P. Latincsics
T. Murphy
P. Nevers
Also Present: Gary Jones, Assistant Planning and Zoning Agent
No alternates seated.
Public Hearing
File 2006-37 – Application for a Home Occupation by Special Permit for a construction office and showroom in existing mobile home at 141 Luchon Road (Map 18, Lot 4, Zone R80) Owner/Applicant: Wayne Bellefleur (Received 8/15/06; site walk 9/5/06 at 6:30 p.m.; Public hearing 9/5/06; Decision by 10/17/06)
Mr. Bellefleur was present to discuss his application. He stated that he is building a new home on an existing foundation and wants to keep the mobile home that he is currently living in on the property to use as an office for his construction business. Mr. Bellefleur stated that it would be difficult to move the mobile home from the property since it was placed there in 1975 and many trees have grown up around it since then. He stated that he does not feel that the mobile home is an eye sore.
A. Marco asked home many square feet the new home will be. Mr. Bellefleur said 1691 square feet. A. Marco stated that the permit for the mobile home shows that the mobile home is 924 square feet. A. Marco went on the explain that the regulations state that an outside structure can not exceed 50% of the livable structure and this mobile home would be over 50% of the new house.
M. Ellis stated that mobile homes are considered temporary structures in the regulations even if they are built on concrete slabs.
N. Gray stated that the applicant did not include all existing out buildings on the property and that it is important to do so. N. Gray asked the applicant what the dimensions of the out buildings are. Mr. Bellefleur said one is ten feet by ten feet and the other is twelve feet by twenty feet.
T. Murphy asked if the new house will be getting a new septic system. Mr. Bellefleur said that it will.
M. Ellis asked the applicant how much traffic he thinks he would have coming to the showroom. Mr. Bellefleur said approximately two or three customers per week. M. Ellis asked if there will be any other staff working with him from the home office. Mr. Bellefleur said that his future wife will also have a home office in the mobile home.
R. Tulis asked the applicant how the concrete slab was built. Mr. Bellefleur said that it is an eight inch think concrete slab reinforced with rebar. He stated that it has no foundation walls and the well pump is under the slab about six feet deep.
G. Jones asked the applicant if there is an office in the existing garage. Mr. Bellefleur said yes, that it is filled with stuff as he does not have enough storage.
M. Ellis asked if the building permit for the new house was given with the condition that the mobile home be removed after the house is complete. Mr. Bellefleur said yes.
M. Ellis opened the floor to the public.
Warren and Pat Barsaleau of 151 Luchon Road asked what guarantee the applicant could give that the mobile home will not be used as a residence. Mr. Bellefleur said that the kitchen will be taken out of the mobile home. He told the Barsaleau’s that he would give them a copy of the plan so they would understand what was going to happen. The Barsaleau’s asked if the garage was going to be part of the house. Mr. Bellefleur said that it will be attached. The Barsaleau’s said that they wanted to make sure the applicant understood that he was not able to sell retail supplies. Mr. Bellefleur stated that he did understand and that he would only be showing the items that he is able to install in people’s homes himself. The Barsaleau’s asked if the showroom was
going to be open to the public because they are concerned about additional traffic on the road and large construction vehicles traveling on the road. Mr. Bellefleur stated that he will only have a few people at the show room each week and that there will not be any large construction vehicles.
R. Tulis asked if the driveway will be paved. Mr. Bellefleur stated that it already is.
R. Tulis made a motion to close the public hearing, T. Murphy seconded the motion. All were in favor, thus the motion passes.
File 2006-40- Application for a special permit for a nail salon (2 chairs, 1 pedicure chair) at 333 River Road (Map 30, Lot 17, Zone DC) Owner: B&M Realty Trust LLC; Applicant: Michelle Kelley (Received 8/15/06; Public Hearing 9/5/06; Decision by 10/17/06)
Michelle Kelley the applicant was present to discuss her application. She stated that she wishes to open a nail salon at 333 River Road. She stated that the facility already has a handicapped bathroom and parking space. She said that she will have two nail stations as the health department did not approve the third, although there is room for it. She stated that she will also have a pedicure chair. Ms. Kelley stated that she will work in the salon alone at first but hopes that she will be able to hire one or two staff members around Christmas time. She stated that her ultimate goal would be to have the salon open Monday through Friday 9:00am to 9:00pm and Saturday from 9:00am to 5:00pm. She said that her hours will be less in the beginning.
N. Gray asked why she was approved for two nail stations and not three. Ms. Kelley stated that the Heath Department told her it was due to the amount of water the septic system could hold.
R. Tulis suggested placing a water meter on the building so she can report to the health department how much water she is actually using.
R. Tulis asked if she is renting the space. Ms. Kelley stated that she is.
M. Ellis asked if the fire Marshall has been in to see the space. Ms. Kelley said no. G. Jones told her to make an appointment with the Marshall as soon as possible.
N. Gray asked if there will be any odor that could come from the building due to the chemicals she would use for manicures. Ms. Kelley said that she does not use acrylics so there will be no smell.
R. Tulis asked the applicant if she is replacing the sign from the antique store. Ms. Kelley said that she was planning to put up the same sign on the front of her building.
R. Tulis stated that he would like to see everyone in that complex using the same signage.
G. Jones discussed the requirements for signs according the towns regulations.
Ms. Kelley asked if she can put up an illuminated sign. The commission discussed the importance of downward lighting. The commission suggested a sign with reflective letters.
M. Ellis asked if there will be any structural change to the building. Ms. Kelley said that there will not be. She said that the pedicure chair will need to be plumbed but it will be placed on an outside wall.
T. Murphy asked if there are any regulations that the emergency door and the front door not be on the same side of the building. The commission stated that the applicant will need to go over that with the fire Marshall.
Jim Poole from the Economic Development Commission stated that the commission feels that this business would be good for the town and supports the economic development they are looking for.
G. Jones reminded the applicant that she would need to include as part of her application all the products that she plans to sell. Ms. Kelley listed the items for the commission. They included facial waxing, nail polish, creams, remover, shampoo, gift baskets, jewelry, purses, nail files, gift certificates, etc. Ms. Kelley stated that she will make a list and add it to her application.
M. Ellis asked the applicant if she will be selling anything that requires a license. Ms. Kelley said no.
R. Tulis made a motion to close the public hearing. P. Nevers seconded the motion. All were in favor, thus the motion passes.
Regular Meeting:
Regular meeting was called to order by Chairman Ellis.
Roll Call
Members were seated as above.
New Business
· File 2006-39- Application for Special permit for a rear lot at 35 Fisher Hill Road (Map 19, Lot 41, Zone R80) Owner: Dian Parisen; Applicant: Steven Dionne (Received 8/15/06; Public Hearing 9/19/06)
· Request for 180-day extension to file/record documents and Mylar’s for necessary for the final approval of the Re-subdivisions of Lot #1, Lechowicz Farm Estates.
M. Ellis made a motion to approve the request for 180-day extension to file/record documents and Mylar’s for necessary for the final approval of the Re-subdivisions of Lot #1, Lechowicz Farm Estates. N. Gray seconded the motion. All in favor, thus the motion passes.
· File 2006-46- Application for a Modification of a Special Permit for a flag pole and light for the Municipal Library at 7 Ruby Road (Map 23, Lot 7, Zone R80) Owner/Applicant: Town of Willington. (Received 9/5/06, Public Hearing by 10/17/06)
Dale Cutler from Kenyon & Cutler Architects was present to discuss the application. He stated that the library board decided to add the flag pole to the site plan and according to law in order to fly a flag at all times it must be lighted. Mr. Cutler stated that the flag pole would be located at the center island and would stand thirty feet tall. He went on to explain that the flag pole would be illuminated by a top mounted light that would offer down lighting on the flag. He stated that the light would spin with the flag and would last 100,000 hours.
The commission asked how the light will be controlled. Mr. Cutler stated that it will be photo cell on and off.
R. Tulis asked if it is a spot light or flood light bulb. Mr. Cutler said it is a flood light.
T. Murphy asked if the light will move down the pole if the flag is flown at half mast. Mr. Cutler stated that the light is fixed and does not move.
Jim Poole asked if a public hearing should be held in order to notify the neighbor and let them make any comments regarding the light.
R. Tulis made a motion to hold a public hearing on 10/3/06. Motion seconded by P. Nevers. All were in favor, thus a public hearing will be held.
Old Business
· File 2006-33 – Application for a 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 7/18/06; Public Hearing/Decision by 8/15/2006)
R. Tulis made a motion to approve File 2006-33 – Application for a Special Permit to a commercial building supply retail use at 14 & 16 Tolland Turnpike with the following conditions:
1) All technical revisions required by the town engineer and/or staff shall be incorporated into the plans including provisions for the relocation of the fence and planter.
2) Windows on the north facing (street side) side shall be incorporated into the design of the building as allowed by the CT Building Code. Should functional windows not be allowed, faux windows shall be incorporated into the design. Drawings shall be reviewed and approved by the Commission.
T. Murphy seconded the motion, all voted in favor, thus the motion passes.
· File 2006-37 – Application for a Home Occupation by Special Permit for office and showroom in existing mobile home at 141 Luchon Road (Map 18, Lot 4, Zone R80) Owner/Applicant: Wayne Bellefleur (Received 8/15/06; Public Hearing/Decision by 10/17/06)
M. Ellis stated that this is a non-conforming lot and the applicants building permit for the new house clearing states that he needs to remove the mobile home after the new building is complete. He also stated that the mobile home is over 50% of the new home which is against regulations as well as mobile home not being allowed to be used as businesses.
P. Latincsics stated that having the bathroom remain in the mobile home leaves the possibility of someone living in it.
The commission decided that they would discuss this application at the next meeting.
· File 2006-40- Application for a special permit for a nail salon (2 chairs, 1 pedicure chair) at 333 River Road (Map 30, Lot 17, Zone DC) Owner: B&M Realty Trust LLC; Applicant: Michelle Kelley (Received 8/15/06; Public Hearing 9/5/06; Decision by 10/17/06)
R. Tulis stated that this site will be an issue in the future due to the septic system, but stated that the tenant/applicant can not be held accountable for that.
G. Jones told the applicant that he will need her list of items she is selling to add to the file.
The commission decided to table the application to the next meeting.
Minutes
M. Ellis made a motion to approve the minutes from 8/15/06. Second by N. Gray. T. Murphy and P. Latincsics abstained from voting as they were not at the last meeting, all other members voted in favor. Motion carried.
Correspondence
1. Request for 180 day extension to file/record documents and Mylar’s for final approval of Re-Subdivision of Lot #1 Lechowicz Farm Estates, filed by Czepiga Law Group.
2. Letter from Czepiga requesting clarification regarding original motion made by Planning and Zoning Commission for changes to Mihaliak Road.
3. Packet from UCONN-Cooperative Extension System requesting applications for 2006-07 Municipal Initiative.
Sub-Committee Reports
None reported
Staff Report and Discussion
G. Jones reported to the commission that he did not send a letter of violation regarding the tents on Luchon road. He stated that he drove by the house and the only tents that he saw were two acting as car ports under which cars were parked. He said that they were not permanent structures, but a small tarp on thin poles. He stated that the resident’s complaint report will go into a file. The consensus of the Commission was that temporary structures were not allowed by the zoning regulations and that Mr. Jones should send a letter to that effect.
Adjournment
M. Ellis made a motion to adjourn at 8:45 PM. Second by P. Nevers. All in favor, thus motion carries.
Respectfully Submitted,
Melissa McDonough
Recording Clerk
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