Planning and Zoning Commission
40 Old Farms Road Willington, CT 06279
May 6, 2008 – 7:30 PM
Meeting Minutes
A. Call to Order
Vice Chairman, Andy Marco, called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m.
B. Roll Call
Members Present:
Andy Marco
Edward Standish
Tom Murphy
James Poole seated for J. Sullivan
Peter Latincsics
Members Absent:
Matthew Ellis
Peter Nevers
John Sullivan
Also Present
Susan Yorgensen, Planning and Zoning Agent
Pre Application
Russell Heintz of Tarbell, Heintz & Associates and Mr. Keith Herzig – informal discussion regarding property on Ruby Road (old Gravel Pit – north of Bus Parking Lot) Map 2 Lot 49A
J. Poole recused himself regarding future decisions.
Keith Herzig was present and explained the application will be for a site to service and maintain their trucks and minor repairs for some outside contractor’s trucks.
Russell Heintz distributed maps and explained that phase 1 and 2 would be the buildings, phase 3, would be for driver training and phase 4 would be for storing the empty trailers. He commented that the map showed a dozen and a half test holes that were done by Gardner & Peterson and Tarbell, Heintz & Associates.
Mr. Herzig commented that they currently have 15 employees and that number probably wouldn’t get much bigger.
Rocco Sabatino of Pelletier Builders was present and presented the designs to the commission.
J. Poole asked if they would have showers. Mr. Sabatino said yes, on the shop side but they would not have sleeping facilities. He commented that it would be a contained area and no floor drains were planned. J. Poole asked the time frame to begin construction and Mr. Herzig said he hoped within the year but it is dependent on the economy. J. Poole asked if they would apply for phase 1 and 2 first. Mr. Heintz said he believes they would apply for phase 1 through 4.
S. Yorgensen asked about the minor repairs mentioned. Mr. Herzig commented it would be oil changes, tires, brake jobs. S. Yorgensen said they would need to get a Certificate of Locations from the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Mr. Herzig explained that phase 1 would be the offices, conference rooms for driver training and the shower for the mechanic. Phase 2 would be the facility to keep the trucks inside. He said he would not have fuel on the premises.
J. Poole asked if a wash bay was planned. Mr. Herzig commented that they would like to have a wash bay, to be used for their vehicles only, but they need to look into it in more detail.
S. Yorgensen explained that they could do a preliminary site plan and then a final site development for phase 1 and 2. Potentially, the commission could issue a permit for the items that are done in which they have enough information on.
Mr. Heintz commented that the bus station is an old gravel pit that hasn’t been reclaimed and an unsightly hillside is located there. S. Yorgensen commented that there is a plan to fix, grade and stabilize it and that they are going to be reclaiming it. Mr. Heintz said he would like to incorporate that into their grading plan. S. Yorgensen asked Mr. Heintz to call Karl Acimovic to discuss it.
Mr. Sabatino asked how long a special permit was good for. S. Yorgensen said it is good forever as long as conditions are followed.
Mr. Herzig commented that he is fine with whatever signage Planning and Zoning requires as he is not looking for retail business. J. Poole asked if it was going to be a metal building. Mr. Sabatino said yes.
A. Marco expressed his concern on the empty trailers and what they have carried. Mr. Herzig said they would be Fed Ex Ground trailers, small package trailers.
Mr. Heintz asked if they would have to go to the Wetlands commission even though the property does not have wetlands. S. Yorgensen said yes. J. Poole suggested they delineate, for the IWWC commission, how far they are from the brooks.
J. Poole asked how soon they would be coming back. Mr. Heintz said they have to go over costs but they are hoping for the fall although, that may slow down due to the economy. Mr. Herzig commented that they may buy the property but they may have to let it sit for a time.
New Business
Appointment to the Regional Planning Agency
T. Murphy made a motion to appoint John Sullivan to the Regional Planning Agency and appoint Andy Marco as the alternate. E. Standish seconded the motion. All in favor. Motion carried.
A. Marco commented that J. Sullivan cannot make the meeting scheduled for May 7th and he will attend as the alternate.
Minutes
E. Standish made a motion to accept the minutes of April 1, 2008. T. Murphy seconded the motion. All in favor. Motion carried.
Correspondence
1. Letter from Garner & Peterson Associates; copy of Inlands Wetlands Application for Windwood Acres.
2. CT DEP Emergency Incident Report for 470 River Rd, gasoline on the ground surface.
3. CT DEP Emergency Incident Report for 327 Ruby Road, diesel fuel on the found surface.
4. Connecticut Federation of Planning and Zoning Agencies Quarterly Newsletter.
5. Announcement from Branse, Willis & Knapp; Brendan Schain has joined the firm as an Associate.
6. Letter from State of Connecticut Office of Policy and Management, to Selectman Michael Eldredge, regarding the money allocated to municipalities to assist them in updating their plans of conservation and development.
Staff Report
S. Yorgensen commented that a letter was sent, from Chairman Matthew Ellis to the Board of Selectmen, regarding the Capital Improvement Plan. J. Poole asked if a response was received. S. Yorgensen said no, although, she did get a call from M. Bowen stating the Chairmen of CIP thought that the Planning and Zoning Commission had received the plan at an earlier date. S. Yorgensen commented that the commission could request the Recreation Commission come in and explain planned projects. A discussion was held on the CIP procedures. J. Poole commented that he would like to see a letter sent to all commissions regarding procedures.
S. Yorgensen commented on a letter received from Robinson & Cole regarding a proposed tower at 343 Daleville Rd. A Public Informational Hearing will be held at the IWWC meeting scheduled for Monday, May 22, 2008 at 7:30 as there are wetlands on the site.
S. Yorsensen commented that a letter was sent to the Board of Selectmen regarding the Town Gravel Pit stating the Special Permit was not renewed and all debris, stock piles, etc, will be removed from the site. The Town Engineer will develop a reclamation plan for the site and the plan will be presented to the Planning Commission as required by State Statute. A site plan for the Town Garage property on Hancock Road will also be filed for consideration by the Planning Commission as required by State Statute.
Gary Jones sent a Notice of Violation to Ronald & Sheila Courchesne, at 52 Luchon Road, regarding the keeping of more than the allowable one horse and for operating a Commercial Boarding Stable.
S. Yorgensen said a letter was sent to Margaret Harrison and Ruby Associates General Partnership stating the commission has voted to recall the Sand and Gravel Bond for Rte 320 West Side. The as-built and aforementioned certification must be received by May 30th or measures will be taken to reclaim the property with the money in the bond account. In addition, a letter was mailed to Ruby Associates General Partnership, with the permit for Phase 6, stating the condition that a bond is posted for this phase and a list of machinery provided to the Planning Commission.
S. Yorgensen commented that the Truck Stop applied to replace Diesel Dispensers.
The Commission felt that permits cannot be issued if in violation of Planning and Zoning regulations. There is trash on site, the guard shack is not being manned and trailers are being used as storage sheds without a permit.
Discussion
A discussion was held on the codes for steel buildings and the various steel buildings in town. J. Poole commented they should maintain the rural character of the town and have it fit in with the industrial zone.
A. Marco made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:37 pm. J. Poole seconded the motion. All in favor.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele Manas
Recording Clerk
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