Planning and Zoning Commission
40 Old Farms Road Willington, CT 06279
June 15, 2010 – 7:30 PM
Meeting Minutes
Roll Call
Members Present:
Matt Ellis – Chairman
Andy Marco – Vice Chairman
Tom Murphy – Secretary
Walter Parsell
Edward Standish
John Sullivan
Phil Nevers
James Poole - Alternate
Members Absent:
Also Present:
Gary Jones – Assistant Planner/Zoning Agent
Public Hearing
M. Ellis called the Public Hearing to order at 7:44. J. Poole was seated for P. Nevers.
PZC2010-16 ~Application for Special Permit to open restaurant at 11 Phelps Way (Map 30 Lot 14 Zone DC) Owner: C & S Willington LP Applicant: Luciano Conforto (Received May 4, 2010 Public Hearing ~June 1, 2010 continued to June 15th Decision within 65 days after close of P.H.)
The applicant was not present to speak. M. Ellis asked G. Jones if the applicant contacted them and he said no.
J. Poole motioned to close the Public Hearing. A. Marco seconded the motion. All in favor.
P. Nevers arrived at 7:50.
PZC2010-19 Application to amend Subdivision Regulation Chapter VI section 3-i pertaining to underground propane storage tank Applicant: Northeast Oil & Propane, Inc (Received May 18, 2010 Public Hearing June 15, 2010 Decision within 65 days after close of P.H.)
Joseph Rose, the President of the Propane Gas Association of New England was present to speak. He said propane is not petroleum. It is a gas stored in a tank and is non-toxic, non- polluting and soluble with water and if it were to leak out into the ground, it would dissipate.
M. Ellis read the proposed wording: There shall be no underground tanks on any lot for storage of any petroleum product. (Not including underground propane tanks in subdivisions)
Ray Crossen said he never had a town consider propane in the same league as a petroleum item. He said the above ground tanks are too large and terrible to look at and believes the underground tanks are safer to the consumer.
Al Griffin of New England Propane was present and had pictures for the commission.
Mr. Crossen said they have to meet several building codes to put the tanks in the ground. A discussion was held. W. Parsell asked if this is strictly aesthetic and Mr. Griffin said yes. T. Murphy asked the longevity of the tanks and how to tell if it is leaking. Mr. Rose said 50 years and there is an odor additive. A discussion was held on the size of the tanks.
Jeremy Chartier of the Willington Fire Department asked the hazards if the tank fails. Mr. Rose said it is flammable but needs heat and air to ignite. He said the tank is safer underground surrounded by dirt. Mr. Chartier asked, if the tank fails and ignition occurs, what is the opportunity to get back in the tank and Mr. Rose said none. A discussion was held. J. Sullivan asked the maximum tank size and Mr. Rose said 60,000 gallons but for residential, 500 to 1,000 gallons.
Ralph Tulis asked if there is a warning when the tank reaches life end. Mr. Rose said the tank has to be tested yearly and a discussion was held. M. Ellis asked if there was a regulation to prove the tank is tested and Mr. Rose said no, it is up to the owner. Mr. Tulis said if it is an owner owned tank, it should be in the deed as an obligation to make sure it is safe. A discussion was held on what could be put on the land records. Mr. Rose said, in the code, it is the responsibility of the person filling the tank.
J. Poole asked if the company would come in and locate the tank and Mr. Rose said, yes, it is a steel tank. A. Marco asked G. Jones if there was a conflict with building codes and G. Jones said not that he is aware. G. Jones said on new buildings, he would require it to be on as-builts. J. Poole asked staff to get input from the Fire Marshal and Attorney Branse.
M. Ellis motioned to close the Public Hearing. E. Standish seconded the motion. All in favor.
Regular Meeting
M. Ellis called the Regular Meeting to order at 8:10. All regular members were seated.
Pre Application: Earl Bancroft to speak to the Board Members about possible Zoning Regulation Change regarding Agricultural Land Use.
Earl Bancroft was present and said he would like a large building on his lot to ride horses. He spoke of a zoning regulation change to encourage agricultural land use and is proposing a change to the regulations and looking for direction. M. Ellis explained the procedures; work with an attorney to draft the regulation you would like to see, file an application, come to the public hearing and then the board would discuss the application and have it reviewed by their attorney. He said Mr. Bancroft could tell them what he would like to see conceptually but it is not binding.
Mr. Bancroft said he would like and 80’ x 100’ building with a row of stalls and an arena. He said the plan shows 6 horse stalls. He said it would be strictly for private use. A discussion was held. G. Jones said he has a little over 5 acres but not if you take out the wetlands per the regulations, it’s less. A discussion was held on having a house, garage and 8000 sq. foot building on 5 acres and what would happen if the applicant moved and a new owner came in.
A discussion was held on agricultural use and farming. A discussion was held on the Dept of Agricultural Regulations and the town regulations for agricultural use. M. Ellis said his personal view is it has merit and worthy of exploring but he does not know how the applicant would do it. He would have to spend some time with a land use attorney and work with the Planning/Zoning Agents.
A discussion was held on metal buildings and the type of buildings in town.
Old Business
PZC2010-3 Application for Modification to Special Permit Final Site Development Plan to add in the future a 25’X35’ 3 sided pole building at 49 Hancock Road (Map 38 Lot 20 Zone R80) Owner/Applicant: Town of Willington (Received March 16, 2010 65 day extension granted decision by August 17th.
M. Ellis asked that the agenda be changed from inches to feet on the size of the building. The extension remains until August 17th.
PZC2010-16 ~Application for Special Permit to open restaurant at 11 Phelps Way (Map 30 Lot 14 Zone DC) Owner: C & S Willington LP Applicant: Luciano Conforto (Received May 4, 2010 Public Hearing June 1, 2010 continued to June 15th ~Decision within 65 days after close of P.H.)
M. Ellis asked staff to draft a motion for denial.
PZC2010-19 Application to amend Subdivision Regulation Chapter VI section 3-i pertaining to underground propane storage tank Applicant: Northeast Oil & Propane, Inc (Received May 18, 2010 Public Hearing June 15, 2010 Decision within 65 days after close of P.H.)
A discussion was held on requiring privately or company owned tanks. J. Sullivan said it is very difficult to get a reputable company to come and fill a privately owned tank.
The commission members will discussion at the next meeting after receiving input from Attorney Mark Branse and the Fire Marshal. M. Ellis asked staff to draw up motions.
Minutes
M. Ellis motioned to approve the minutes. E. Standish seconded the motion. T. Murphy abstained. All others in favor.
Subdivision Regulations
M. Ellis said Teri Haun was in an accident and is now back to work. She will have drafts for the commission at the next meeting.
Staff Report
G. Jones had nothing additional at this time.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:53.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele Manas
Recording Clerk
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