Town of Willington
Planning and Zoning Commission
40 Old Farms Road Willington, CT 06279
October 17, 2006 – 7:30 P.M.
Minutes
Regular Meeting
The Planning and Zoning Commission meeting was called to order at 7:31 P.M.
Roll Call
Present: M. Ellis
T.Murphy
A. Marco
R. Tulis
N. Gray
Excused: P. Nevers
Absent: P. Latincsics
New Business
PZC 2006-52- Application for Commercial Logging Permit on Kravanec Rd. (Map 22; Lot 13 approx. 5 acres, R80 Zone) Owner: Paul C. Grimason; Applicant: Hull Forest Products, Inc., Contact Michael Bartlett (Received 10/17/06; Public Hearing by 12/5/06)
PZC 2006-53- Application for Commercial Logging Permit on 341 Tolland Turnpike. (Map 22; Lot 16 approx. 50 acres, R80 Zone) Owner: Franklin J. & Lorette D. Grimason; Applicant: Hull Forest Products, Inc., Contact Michael Bartlett (Received 10/17/06; Public Hearing by 12/5/06)
PZC 2006-54- Application for Commercial Logging Permit on Kravanec Rd. (Map 27; Lot 14A approx. 38 acres and Map 22, Lot 13B approx. 5 acres, R80 Zone) Owner: Franklin D. Grimason; Applicant: Hull Forest Products, Inc., Contact Michael Bartlett (Received 10/17/06; Public Hearing by 12/5/06)
Michael Bartlett was present to discuss his applications for a tree harvest. He stated that the three properties are connected and he would like to discuss them together. The commission stated that would be fine. Mr. Bartlett stated that the land is owned by the Grimason family. He said he will be doing a selection harvest on the three properties. He stated that the trees are marked, the boundaries are flagged, and the skid trails are marked from a pervious harvest. Mr. Bartlett stated that all the crossings that they will be using are existing roads that the owner of the property currently uses to drive through the woods himself. He went on to explain that he will place portable bridges at all of the crossings that do not have culverts.
Mr. Bartlett said he went with Lynn Nichols to look at the two landings, he stated that she requested that he put down stone at the entrance, which he will do. He also stated that he has put into applications and bonds for the driveways.
Mr. Bartlett stated that he will remove logs this fall and winter and then next summer will go back to get the tree tops for firewood.
R. Tulis asked if there was an A-Z survey. Mr. Bartlett said that there was.
Mr. Bartlett said that all of the abutters have been notified and he has received all of the green cards back. He stated that he plans on reseeding and mulching both in the spring and then again after the summer harvest.
S. Yorgensen asked where the firewood will be taken from, whether they would be moved to a central area or not? Mr. Bartlett said that the fire wood will come from the tree tops which will be left where they fell.
The commission asked what type of machine will be used to get the tops. Mr. Bartlett said that he will go in with a skidder.
T. Murphy asked if turning on Rt. 74 will have any problems for the trucks due to the steepness. Mr. Bartlett said that the slope is not an issue. He said that there may be some site line issues, but those can be dealt with.
R. Tulis asked what is in the contract with the Grimason family as to how the property should be left. Mr. Bartlett read the contract that stated the property needs to be left as found or better, that there will not be any rutting 8 inches or deeper. Mr. Bartlett stated that he also has a bond with the town for the driveways.
The commission asked when the bridges will be moved. Mr. Bartlett stated that he will remove the bridges after the first harvest and then replace them when he goes back in the summer for the tree tops.
Marco made a motion to approve PZC 2006-52- Application for Commercial Logging Permit on Kravanec Rd. (Map 22; Lot 13 approx. 5 acres, R80 Zone) Owner: Paul C. Grimason; Applicant: Hull Forest Products, Inc., Contact Michael Bartlett. With the following conditions: 1. the skid trails and landing area are seeded and mulched both after the timber harvest and after the firewood is removed, spring and fall. 2. the hours of operation remain 7:00 am to 5:00 pm or dark which ever comes first during the week, 9:00am to 4:00pm or until dark which ever comes first on Saturday and no work will be done on Sunday. R. Tulis seconded the motion. All members voted in favor, thus the motion carries.
M. Ellis made a motion to approve PZC 2006-53- Application for Commercial Logging Permit on 341 Tolland Turnpike. (Map 22; Lot 16 approx. 50 acres, R80 Zone) Owner: Franklin J. & Lorette D. Grimason; Applicant: Hull Forest Products, Inc., Contact Michael Bartlett, with the following conditions: 1 the skid trails and landing area are is seeded and mulched both after the timber harvest and after the firewood is removed, spring and fall. . 2. the hours of operation remain 7:00 am to 5:00 pm or dark which ever comes first during the week, 9:00am to 4:00pm or until dark which ever comes first on Saturday and no work will be done on Sunday. . R. Tulis seconded the motion. All members voted in favor, thus the motion carries.
M. Ellis made a motion to approve PZC 2006-54- Application for Commercial Logging Permit on Kravanec Rd. (Map 27; Lot 14A approx. 38 acres and Map 22, Lot 13B approx. 5 acres, R80 Zone) Owner: Franklin D. Grimason; Applicant: Hull Forest Products, Inc., Contact Michael Bartlett, with the following conditions: 1. the skid trails and landing area are is seeded and mulched both after the timber harvest and after the firewood is removed, spring and fall. 2. the hours of operation remain 7:00 am to 5:00 pm or dark which ever comes first during the week, 9:00am to 4:00pm or until dark which ever comes first on Saturday and no work will be done on Sunday. R. Tulis seconded the motion. All members voted in favor, thus the motion carries.
PZC 2006-55- Application for Commercial Logging Permit on Burma Rd. (Map 31; Lot 14 approx. 50 acres, R80 Zone) Owner; E. John Aberle; Applicant; Hull Forest Products, Inc., Contact Michael Bartlett (Received 10/17/06; Public Hearing by 12/5/06)
Mr. Bartlett was present to discuss his application, he stated that he will be harvesting on 50 of the 85 acres. He stated that he will be harvesting approximately 1033 trees which are all marked. The boundaries are flagged and all the abutters have been notified. Mr. Bartlett turned in all of the green cards.
Mr. Bartlett stated that he will not be harvesting in the wetland areas and where there are steep slopes he will put in water bars and maintain them through the course of the harvest. All the crossings will have bridges and the trails will be seeded and mulched after the harvest.
Mr. Bartlett stated that he will be entering and exiting in the town of Ashford. He will be using a skidder in the areas that have steep slopes and he will only be in these areas for one to two days. He will wait for colder weather so there are fewer disturbances in these areas as well. Mr. Bartlett stated that the property borders Fenton Ruby Park. The commission discussed the importance of being careful near this property. He stated that he will also be doing this harvest in two phases by cutting and taking the trees and then going back in the summer for the tops. As well as seeding and mulching after both phases.
T. Murphy made a motion to approve PZC 2006-55- Application for Commercial Logging Permit on Burma Rd. (Map 31; Lot 14 approx. 50 acres, R80 Zone) Owner; E. John Aberle; Applicant; Hull Forest Products, Inc., Contact Michael Bartlett. With the following conditions: 1 the skid trails and landing area are seeded and mulched both after the timber harvest and after the firewood is removed, spring and fall. 2. the hours of operation remain 7:00 am to 5:00 pm or dark which ever comes first during the week, 9:00am to 4:00pm or until dark which ever comes first on Saturday and no work will be done on Sunday. N. Gray seconded the motion. All members voted in favor, thus the motion carries.
Old Business
File 2006-39 – Application for Special Permit to create a rear lot adjacent and north of 35 Fisher Hill Road (Map 19, Lot 41, Zone R80) Owner: Diane Parisen; Applicant: Steve Dionne (Received 8/15/06; Site Walk 9/16/06 rain date 9/17/06 at 9 a.m.; Public Hearing on 9/19/06, continued to 10/3/06; Decision by 12/5/06)
The commission stated that they still do not have a quorum to make a decision on the application.
M. Ellis stated that he thought that the property should be made a flag lot, R. Tulis said agreed that the property should be made as rectangular as possible. R. Tulis stated that he feels that the property is just too narrow to be made into two lots. M. Ellis said that he feels that it does not work under the town’s regulations. As well he stated that he does not want to set precedents of approving nonconforming lots.
Public Comment
John and Geoff Prusak were present to discuss the possibility of purchasing the old gun shop at the corner of Rt 74 and Rt 32 for their business Signs of All Kinds LLC. John said that his son Geoff spoke with Jody from Eastern Highlands Health District and she seemed to think that the building would be approved for their needs. Mr. Prusak stated that he would like to buy the building but was wondering how long Planning and Zoning would need to make a decision about allowing the business to go in, as they would like to make that part of the purchase agreement.
The commission asked what type of chemicals they use in the business. The Prusak’s stated that it is mostly latex paints and they have adequate filtration for wood particles.
The commission discussed if the business is considered retail or commercial. The Prusak’s stated that they do wood working in the building to make the signs and people occasionally come in the store as well so they are somewhere between the two.
S. Yorgensen asked if they had anything in writing from the Health District. The Prusak’s said that they do not. S. Yorgensen said that is where they should start. Ellis also reminded them that this application would need to go to public hearing.
Minutes
M. Ellis made a motion to approve the minutes of October 3, 2006 with the correction page two which stated A. Marco made a motion; this should be changed to M. Ellis. T. Murphy seconded the motion. All were in favor, thus the motion carries.
Correspondence
1. Central Conservation district sent a thank you certificate for the town’s contribution
2. Letter to Ed Staveski from Gary Jones stating that he received As-Builts for Lot 15, 46 Clover Springs and Lot 17, 34 Clover Springs. The houses shown are not the houses that were built and requesting Zoning be notified any time there is a discrepancy from what was applied for and what is actually being built.
3. College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Journal Vol. 10 No. 3 Fall 2006
Staff Report
S. Yorgensen stated that Kids Kingdom Day care would like to add a 20x20 paved area for tricycle riding. She asked if the commission would like them to come to the commission or if staff is authorized to approve minor modifications.
The commission asked if it is near anyone else’s property. S. Yorgensen said no it will be between the building and the other play area. The consensus of the commission was that staff be authorized to approve minor modifications as long as nothing is closer to the property lines and improvements are shown on the As-Builts were submitted.
Respectfully Submitted,
Melissa McDonough
Recording Clerk
| 
