A. Call to Order
Chairman, Matthew Ellis, called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
B. Roll Call
Members Present:
Matthew Ellis
Andy Marco
Edward Standish
John Sullivan
James Poole seated for Phil Nevers
Members Absent:
Peter Latincsics
Tom Murphy, exc.
Phil Nevers, exc.
Also Present
Susan Yorgensen, Planning / Zoning Agent
Public Hearing
~~~~~~~PZC2008-12 Application for a Special Permit for an overhead door and awning business (showroom, office, storage and retail sales of) at 331 River Road (Map 30 Lot 16 Zone DC Owner/Applicant David Stuart & Mike Andresen (Received June 17, 2008 Public Hearing July 15, 2008, decision within 65 days after close of Public Hearing )
Applicants Michael Andresen and Dave Stuart were present. M. Ellis commented he is an adjacent property owner. He said that he was able to be unbiased and asked if anyone had an issue with him sitting on the commission for this public hearing in which no one did. J. Poole recused himself.
Mr. Stuart explained the company had been in business since 1993 and they were currently working out of their homes in Stafford Springs. He said 331 River Road would be their new showroom and sales location. He presented a floor plan and said they would possible put a tenant in upstairs at a later date who would be their night watchman. Mr. Stuart commented that this location would be a better location for vendors.
A discussion was held on the plans. M. Ellis asked about the parking plan. Mr. Stuart commented that in previous meeting minutes of 1997, the location was approved for 20 spaces. A discussion was held on the parking plan and the current work being done. M. Ellis said the applicant will need to submit a parking plan.
J. Poole, Chairman of the Economic Development Commission commented the business fits well with the character of the town and, provided they meet all zoning requirements, they would highly recommend it.
A. Marco arrived at 7:40 PM.
E. Standish asked about the lighting. The applicant said they would use the existing lighting. J. Sullivan asked about equipment on site. The applicant said they would have a one ton utility pick up truck and a trailer.
M. Ellis commented that the letter from the health district infers that they plan to rent an apartment in the building; he has concerns in regards to the rental aspect. S. Yorgensen said the applicant did not apply for this, and did not indicate this on the application. This has not been allowed in other places in town and explained the issues with this. The applicant asked if they could withdraw that portion. S. Yorgensen said the commission that they did not officially apply for this and that the Commission can always approve less than what the applicant is applying for but not more.
A discussion was held on a possible future business tenant and how the applicant will have to apply for a special permit at the time.
M. Ellis asked the applicant if they would like the public hearing kept open in which they did not. S. Yorgensen commented that the commission could require a parking and signage plan to be submitted as part of the approval.
E. Standish made a motion to close the public hearing. J. Sullivan seconded the motion. All in favor. Motion carried.
Regular Meeting
Pre Application: Lori Lawler 48 River Road would like to speak to the commission about proposed use of her property as a kennel and the use of a residence as an accessory use to the kennel.
Lori Lawler was present and said she would like to build a kennel and use the house as a home office for use when she is not at the kennel. M. Ellis asked if she would live in the house in which she said yes. M. Ellis asked S. Yorgensen for her input. She said she had emailed their attorney and if the commission determines that the house is accessory to the kennel, it is only one use. Ms. Lawler commented the kennel would board 48 dogs. S. Yorgensen said, in her opinion, if you have a kennel for 48 dogs, a house would be accessory to that use.
A discussion was on the applicants reasons for not wanting to subdivide. Continued discussion was held on allowing a residence accessory use to a business. The applicant commented the kennel is noticed by the state as being agricultural and for this reason, farms do not subdivide.
A discussion was held on Planning & Zoning and ZBA regulations regarding kennels. M. Ellis asked each commission member their feelings on the kennel to give Ms. Lawler some direction. M. Ellis said he was okay with it. J. Poole said he felt the commission had to take a real hard look at the regulations. He felt it created a conflict. J. Sullivan said he understands J. Poole’s position but he felt having someone living on site was the right thing to do. E. Standish said he believed you would have to have someone present on site.
~~~~~~Willington Conservation Commission pursuant to CGS Section 8-24 seeks approval of a management plan for one of the parcels designated as open space in Willington Heights Subdivision - Angela/Ashley Lanes off Spak/Lohse Roads
Peter Anderson of the Conservation Commission was present. He said they are looking for approval of a management plan for this parcel. It’s being taken over by invasive species and they would like it managed as a good wildlife habitat. He said the parcel is 250 feet by 700 feet and they would like to take down the bushy grassland area.
Ralph Tulis commented, given the economy, the parcel was once agricultural and could be considered as a use for a community garden. M. Ellis said that was a good thought and if not for this piece, maybe another. M. Ellis asked Mr. Anderson if they had the funds to clean up the parcel and keep it up. Mr. Anderson said they have volunteer labor.
M. Ellis tabled this topic for the moment and said they would come back to it after the commission heard from the Recreation Commission.
Willington Recreation Commission pursuant to CGS Section 8-24 seeks approval to manage a 3.905 acre, designated open space in Willington Heights Subdivision for recreational purposes (ball field) - Angela/Ashley Lanes off Spak/Lohse Roads
Ed Taiman, of the Recreation Commission, was present. He said he believed this parcel was suited for a softball and small soccer field and felt it met the long term needs of the town. He said the town did not have a softball field that was stand alone. He commented that they are limited to flat land and this is one of the few remaining parcels that are flat. He said they do not have funding right now and they are looking at 5 years down the road. E. Standish asked how many ball fields are currently in town. Mr. Taiman said they currently have 3 little league fields, 1 official and 2 non-official.
M. Ellis read from the Plan of conservation and Development and commented that the Plan basically tells us we don’t need what you are looking for. A discussion was held on what condition the property would be in after 5 years.
A discussion was held on the size of the property and the size field needed when playing softball. M. Ellis commented he felt it unnecessary to put a ball field a mile and a half away from a recreation facility that the town has already invested quite a bit of money into.
A discussion was held on the restrictions that can and cannot be placed on the property and how they could possibly be amended in the future. Mark Palmer, Town Selectman, commented the commission needs to have some sort of guidelines for parcels like this.
Mr. Anderson commented if the Conservation Commission was granted management rights, it could be for a fixed period of time but they would need a significant length of time to get the proposal to work.
The Recreation Commission withdrew their request for use of the land.
E. Standish made a motion to approve the Conservations Commissions use of the land for 10 years or until the POCD is amended. J. Sullivan seconded the motion. All in favor. Motion carried.
Renewal of Sand and Gravel Permits:
~~~~~~~~ ~~~~a. Wayne Williams ~~~~66 Navratil Rd (Map 14 Lot 16)
Russell Heintz was present for the applicant. He submitted a proposal and plans. He said the first phase of the existing operation has been taken care of. E. Standish asked if they had done test holes and Mr. Heintz replied yes.
A discussion was held on the equipment that may or may not remain on the site. J. Poole commented that all equipment has to be delineated. S. Yorgensen said a list has to be provided of the equipment on site and non-operable equipment has to be removed. She said that Gary Jones reviewed the proposal and he felt it was a good plan but they should have stipulations. M. Ellis asked if she could have those written up for the next meeting.
M. Ellis table this item until they have staff’s input and asked the applicant to locate the junk piles.
Minutes
M. Ellis made a motion to approve the minutes of 6/17/2008. E. Standish seconded the motion. All in favor.
Staff Report and Discussion
A discussion was held on the status of the Draft Subdivision Regulations and the changes Planning and Zoning would like done. S. Yorgensen said Jana is finishing the edits and Karl Acimovic is working on the L.I.D. road standard details. M. Ellis asked that Jana be requested to submit them no later than one week before the next meeting. J. Poole recommended the commission write a letter to K. Acimovic asking for a submittal by the next meeting dated August 19th.
J. Poole commented, in regards to Wilderness Way, he has not seen any recent reports from the Clerk of the Works.
J. Poole asked if a letter was sent to the Town Engineer on the closure of Kucko Road as stated in previous minutes. He also commented about a letter that was sent to the First Selectman on the CIP Procedures and the fact that he has not heard any information on a response.
S. Yorgensen said that G. Jones sent a letter to Ronald and Sheila Courchesne, at 52 Luchon Rd, regarding the violation of having more than one horse on the site. She said the violation was remedied.
S. Yorgensen commented on a letter that was sent to Beth and Grady Marshall, at 40 Luchon Rd, regarding a shed that had been placed on the property without permits.
S. Yorgensen said a letter was sent to Mr. Healy regarding the proposed Storrs Community Church in regards to the commissions’ recommendation of doing a renovation analysis to make sure all pollutants are removed.
J. Poole commented on an additional sign above the door of the Willington Convenience Store and that he felt it was time for their banners to come down.
M. Ellis commented on a banner on the side of Kids Kingdom that needs to be removed. He also said that he and T. Murphy had done the site walk at Wilderness View. He said it was clean and looked good but asked if the dumpsters are to be screened. S. Yorgensen said she would check the regulations.
A. Marco said he asked Kathy Blessing, of the Board of Finance, if the Recreation Commission mentioned procedures they have to follow when the are applying for funding. She said they did not. He hoped that would be a reminder for the future.
A discussion was held regarding the letter sent to the First Selectman and the consensus was that a letter would be sent to boards and commissions regarding the PZC process.
Correspondence
1. A letter from Mark Palmer, Selectman, regarding a meeting he attended on the Natchaug Basin Conservation Action Planning.
2. A letter from Travel Centers of America in response to letter previously sent on the concerns of the Planning and Zoning Commission.
3. CT DEP Emergency Incident Report on a transformer oil spill at the commuter lot at exit 70.
4. CT DEP Emergency Incident Report on a diesel fuel spill at Becker Construction.
5. A letter from Win COG to Tolland Planning & Zoning on Certificates of Approval for Motor Vehicle Use.
6. A letter from Win COG to Tolland Planning & Zoning on Principle Buildings in 100’ Buildable Square.
7. A letter from WinCOG to Tolland Planning & Zoning on Public Hearing Notices.
Meeting adjourned at 9:30.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele Manas
Recording Clerk
| 
