Planning and Zoning Commission
40 Old Farms Road Willington, CT 06279
April 21, 2009 – 7:30 PM
Meeting Minutes
A. Call to Order
Matt Ellis called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
B. Roll Call
Members Present:
Matt Ellis - Chairman
Andy Marco – Vice-Chairman
Phil Nevers, Secretary
Edward Standish
Tom Murphy
James Poole, Alternate
Member Absent:
Peter Latincsics – excused
John Sullivan
Also Present
G. Jones – Zoning Agent
Public Hearing
PZC2007-33 Subdivision Regulation Change to allow for an extension of the existing temporary, limited moratorium on subdivision applications and approvals to allow the Commission to continue study, develop and edit the draft open space subdivision regulations (a variation of Cluster Development pursuant to CGS 8-25 (c) with the possibility of exempting from the moratorium subdivisions and re-subdivisions of 3 lots or less AND consisting of 15 acres or less overall. (Public Hearing April 21, 2009)
M. Ellis, P. Nevers, E. Standish and T. Murphy were seated.
M. Ellis briefly explained the extension of the existing temporary, limited moratorium.
Mr. and Mrs. Margarido were present and expressed their concern on how the new regulations will affect their property.
Russell Heintz asked why the acre limit? M. Ellis said anything above 15 acres requires open space.
M. Ellis commented on a letter received from Stephen Filip regarding a request for small subdivision exemptions.
M. Ellis asked if there were any further comments from the public or the commission in which there were not.
P. Nevers motioned to close the public hearing. E. Standish seconded the motion. All in favor. Hearing Closed.
Regular Meeting
M. Ellis, P. Nevers, E. Standish and T. Murphy were seated.
Trask Road Development, LLC to discuss Zone change from R-80 to Design Commercial.
Russell Heintz was present for the applicant to discuss a potential 50,000 to 60,000 area of retail space and a zone change.
M. Ellis explained to the commission that this is pre-application and open for questions. He asked Mr. Heintz his thoughts on how this would be phased in. Mr. Heintz said they would create a PAD site because they would have a lot of excavating to do on the site.
E. Standish asked about the entrances and a discussion was held on what is required per Section 12.
M. Ellis asked what percentage of property would be developed. Mr. Heintz said one third, approximately 10 acres. T. Murphy asked about the buildings. Mr. Heintz said one building of 50,000 square feet and smaller one of, maybe, 6,000 square feet.
A. Marco arrived at 7:43.
G. Jones explained the zone lines of Design Commercial Zones.
T. Murphy said he had reservations about the increased traffic on Trask Rd. Mr. Heintz said they could eliminate that entrance.
J. Poole arrived at 7:46.
Ralph Tulis was present and gave some history on the corner and said they tried to get the area Design Commercial in the past. He said it would be wonderful if they could include the firehouse in the zoning. A discussion was held.
M. Ellis said, conceptually, it sounds as if the commission is okay with the idea and now the applicant will have to come up with a final plan.
G. Jones said they would need a Preliminary Site Development Plan and would have to go before the Inland Wetland Commission and the Health Department and then submit a Zone Change Application. Mr. Heintz asked if landscaping would be part of this and G. Jones said yes.
Old Business
PZC2007-33 Subdivision Regulation Change to allow for an extension of the existing temporary, limited moratorium on subdivision applications and approvals to allow the Commission to continue study, develop and edit the draft open space subdivision regulations (a variation of Cluster Development pursuant to CGS 8-25 (c) with the possibility of exempting from the moratorium subdivisions and re-subdivisions of 3 lots or less AND consisting of 15 acres or less overall.
P. Nevers motioned to continue the existing temporary, limited moratorium on subdivision applications and approvals but exempting from the moratorium subdivisions and re-subdivisions of 3 lots or less AND consisting of 15 acres or less overall, for 6 months (November 26, 2009) or until the new subdivision regulations are adopted and in effect. E. Standish seconded the motion. A. Marco and J. Poole abstained. All others in favor.
Minutes
T. Murphy motioned to approve the minutes of April 7, 2009 with the following change; Peter Nevers should read Phil Nevers. E. Standish seconded the motion. M. Ellis abstained. All others in favor.
Correspondence
1. A copy of a letter from CSB properties.
Staff Report and Public Comment
G. Jones commented on a complaint he received about the signs at the karate shop at Phelps Way.
J. Poole said there is a fixed sign that sits in the upper window and he felt it was more than a grand opening banner. He also commented on the fact that ECHN does not have signage yet and they are open for business. J. Poole said the karate shop has to conform to the rest of the plaza.
J. Poole commented on a property on Schofield Road that is still sided with Tyvek. He asked to have the Building Inspector address this.
J Poole recused himself and addressed his position on the Economic Development Commission. He said several of the businesses in town have explored what other towns are doing in regards to promotional banners. He asked if, in these economic times, the commission could relax their restrictions for a period of time to help the businesses.
M. Ellis said he did not have a problem with a certain period of time. T. Murphy said they would have to be careful not to cause an obstruction with the banners.
A discussion was held on the regulations and the possibility of having a temporary removable banner on the building, not off site.
A. Marco motioned to put the discussion of a temporary promotional banner on the current agenda. M. Ellis seconded the motion. All in favor.
A discussion was held on having an applicant fill out a sign application at no charge for a promotional banner for a specified period of time.
The commission asked staff to get comments and recommendations from their attorney, Mark Branse.
The Commission passed a resolution asking the ZEO to designate temporary promotional banners as the lowest zoning enforcement priority.
J. Poole said he would draft a letter of notification to be approved by the commission.
Meeting adjourned at 8:22.
Respectfully,
Michele Manas
Recording Clerk
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