Planning and Zoning Commission
40 Old Farms Road Willington, CT 06279
May 20, 2008 – 7:30 PM
Meeting Minutes
A. Call to Order
Chairman, Matthew Ellis, called the Public Hearing to order at 7:30 p.m.
B. Roll Call
Members Present:
Matthew Ellis
Edward Standish
Phil Nevers
John Sullivan
James Poole seated for P. Latincsics
Members Absent:
Andy Marco
Peter Latincsics
Tom Murphy
Also Present
Gary Jones, Planning and Zoning Agent
Public Hearing:
File #2007-33 To extend the temporary, limited moratorium on subdivision ~applications and approvals for 6 months or unit new Subdivision Regulation Change are in place ~to allow the Commission to finish ~the development ~of open space subdivision regulations (a variation of Cluster Development pursuant to CGS 8-25 (c)).
M. Ellis called the Public Hearing to order at 7:30 pm. M. Ellis reported that the Attorney has received the draft of the new Subdivision Regulations. He has sent comments to Sue Yorgensen which they will then go over and get back to the commission.
M. Ellis opened the discussion to the public and the commission. No comments were made.
E. Standish made a motion to close the Public Hearing. J. Sullivan seconded the motion. All in favor. Motion carried.
Regular Meeting:
M. Ellis called the meeting to order at 7:32.
File #2008-5 Amended Subdivision Application to change the lot line between Parcel “A & B” on approved subdivision plan. Applicant: Datum Engineering & Surveying, LLC. Owner: Michael Straley & Candice Licence 2 Parker Road (Map 21 Lot 40 Zone R80) Received May 6, 2008 Public Hearing or Decision by June 17, 2008.
Applicant, Ed Pelletier, of Datum Engineering & Surveying was present to discuss the application. He presented maps and commented that they are not adding a parcel, just changing the lot line.
A discussion was held on the lot lines and the wetland area. M. Ellis commented that the change would have to leave a conforming building lot. Mr. Pelletier said that it would. M. Ellis commented that this would have to be shown on the plans.
E. Standish made a motion to approve the application contingent on the applicant adding the 40,000 buildable lot to the plans which are in conformance with the current regulations. J. Sullivan seconded the motion. All in favor. Motion carried.
Willington Conservation Commission requesting that pursuant to Section 8-24 the Willington Planning and Zoning Commission recommends that the Town ~acquire the 134 +- acres Knowlton Property (Map 1, Lot 10) fronting Mason Road, for open space conservation purposes and find that the acquisition of the parcel for purposes of open space, protection of water supply and watershed, preservation of forest, wildlife habitat and the Blue-Blazed Nipmuck Trail is in conformance with the Towns Plan of Conservation and Development.
Kathy Demers of the Willington Conservation Commission was present. She commented that they are looking for support from the Planning and Zoning Commission to purchase 134 acres of the Knowlton Property. This support, in the form of the Planning and Zoning meeting minutes, would be included in the grant application.
J. Sullivan asked how big of a grant they were looking for. Ms. Demers said the purchase price is $625,000 which is below the two appraisals that were done and they are looking for a 50% to 65% grant. M. Ellis asked if there were any other parcels they were looking at purchasing in the next year. Ms. Demers said that there isn’t anything currently for sale that they are looking into. J. Sullivan asked how much is currently in the reserve fund. Ms. Demers said there is more than $400,000 in the reserve fund right now and that the Board of Finance has said they can use $400,000 for open space purchases. Peter Anderson commented that they also have $10,000 committed to this purchase by Forest and Park. He also commented that there is a pretty good chance that Joshua’s Trust will also commit some
money for this purchase. Mr. Anderson also commented that there will be other fees involved such as surveying, attorney fees and such. A discussion was held on other financing options available if another attractive parcel were to arise in the near future.
Ms. Demers pointed out the proposed open space and commented that it was a priority parcel in their conservation plan. Further discussion was held on this. J. Poole commented that he felt it needed to be clearly stated that this is public open space. He would also like to see included that it will be providing there are no deed restrictions limiting the following; Forest Management practices, Wildlife Management Practices or Invasive Species Management Practices. M. Poole said if those deed restrictions come forward from the seller, then, in his opinion, the commission would not be in support of this. Further discussion was held on this.
A discussion was held on the amount of open space and the various properties the town currently owns.
J. Poole made the following motion. Pursuant to Sec. 8-24 of the Connecticut General Statutes, the Willington Planning and Zoning Commission recommends that the town of Willington acquire the 134+ acre Knowlton Property (Map 1, Lot 10) with frontage on Mason Road for public open space conservation purposes. Such land is contiguous with other open space and offers multiple resource values, including water supply and watershed protection, forest preservation, wildlife habitat, and preservation of a portion of the Blue-Blazed Nipmuck Trail. Providing no deed restrictions limiting the following, or encumbrances are placed on the property; Forest Management Practices, Wildlife Management Practices or Invasive Species Management Practices This acquisition complies with the Town’s 2006 Plan of Conservation and
Development. E. Standish seconded the motion.
Discussion was held on the possible invasive species.
All in favor. Motion carried.
Old Business
Renewal of Sand and Gravel Permits.
Wayne Williams; 66 Navratil Road (Map 14 Lot 16)
Applicant was not present. M. Ellis read the letter from Wayne Williams to the Planning and Zoning Commission. He commented that the commission does have the opportunity to grant an extension but that this has been ongoing for 12 years. J. Poole asked if Mr. Williams has applied for a hardship. M. Ellis said no.
M. Ellis made a motion to grant a 30 day extension.
J. Poole said he would like to see a letter sent to Wayne Williams stating he has a 30 day extension. A discussion was held on the time frame of sending such letter.
M. Ellis amended his motion to grant Wayne Williams an extension until July 14, 2008 and a letter to be sent to Mr. Williams, by certified mail, stating such extension. E. Standish seconded the motion. All in favor. Motion carried.
Desiato Sand & Gravel; Route 32 (River Rd) (Map 25 Lot 2)
Mr. Desiato was present to discuss the application. He presented plans and a letter from Roy Shook Associates on the Wetland, Watercourse delineations.
M. Ellis asked how many trucks are in and out on a daily basis. Mr. Desiato said 20 trucks, 40 trips on an average day.
A discussion was held on the plans. M. Ellis commented that a buildable site for a house would have to be added to the plans.
J. Poole made a motion to approve the reclamation as presented by Mr. Desiato provided it meets all staff requirements following review and a buildable site shown on documentation. E. Standish seconded the motion. All in favor. Motion carried.
File #2007-33 To extend the temporary, limited moratorium on subdivision applications and approvals for 6 months or unit new Subdivision Regulation Change are in place ~to allow the Commission to finish ~the development ~of open space subdivision regulations (a variation of Cluster Development pursuant to CGS 8-25 (c)).
J. Poole made a motion to extend the temporary, limited moratorium on subdivision applications for 6 months or until the new Subdivision Regulations are in place, whichever comes first. E. Standish seconded the motion. All in favor. Motion Carried.
Minutes
E. Standish made a motion to accept the minutes of 5/6/2008 with the following change. Under members absent, Peter Nevers should read Phil Nevers. P. Nevers seconded the motion. M. Ellis abstained. All members in favor. Motion carried.
Correspondence
1. Notice of Violation sent to Michael Eldredge, First Selectman regarding the shed placed at 511 River Road.
2. Notice of Violation sent to Joseph Colangelo Chairman, Recreation Commission regarding the shed placed at 511 River Road.
3. Notice of Violation sent to John Sahi, Assistant Director Recreation Commission regarding the shed placed at 511 River Road.
4. Letter from the State of Connecticut Siting Council on Cellco Partnership’s notice of intent to modify the existing telecommunications facility located at Cosgrove Road.
5. Letter to Michael Eldredge, First Selectmen, from Mark Palmer, Selectman, regarding the road sweeping and the schedule of the Public Works Department.
6. Letter from the Willington Conservation Commission to the Planning Commission regarding the proposed purchase of the Knowlton Property.
7. Letter from the Willington Conservation Commission regarding the Willington Heights Subdivision: Designated Open Space and the proposed management plan.
Staff
G. Jones commented on the clean up of the Halchek Property located at 160 Village Hill Rd and the additional pile of debris that he found during an inspection. He said he has issued an order to have this cleaned up.
G. Jones commented that permits were not obtained for the fencing on the recreation field at 511 River Road. J. Poole commented the same for the dugouts.
Discussion
J. Poole commented that a response was never received from Mike Eldredge regarding the letter that was mailed on the CIP procedures followed.
J. Poole commented on the Wilderness Way project and that Kucko Rd was closed for a day without notification. He would like to know how the Town Engineer was able to approve this without notifying Public Safety and the homeowners in the area. J. Poole would like a letter sent to the Town Engineer regarding this.
J. Poole commented on the Wilderness View Campground. He said he has not seen anything come through on the special permit that is required annually and the fact that they have not done a walk through this year. He would like a letter sent to the campground regarding this.
Public Comment
Peter Anderson of the Conservation Commission commented on a management plan he would like to see implemented at Willington Heights Subdivision regarding the Designated Open Space. M. Ellis said they would put this on the agenda for June.
J. Poole made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:30. E. Standish seconded the motion. All in favor. Motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele Manas
Recording Clerk
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