Planning and Zoning Commission
40 Old Farms Road Willington, CT 06279
May 3, 2011 – 7:30 PM
Meeting Minutes
Roll Call
Members Present:
Matt Ellis – Chairman
Andy Marco – Vice Chairman
Tom Murphy
Phil Nevers
Edward Standish
James Poole - Alternate
Members Absent:
Walter Parsell - excused
John Sullivan - excused
Also Present
Susan Yorgensen
Attorney Mark Branse
Public Hearing
M. Ellis called the Public Hearing to order at 7:31. J. Poole was seated for J. Sullivan.
PZC2011-5 To adopt comprehensive changes to the Subdivision Regulations of the Town of Willington including provisions for open space subdivision, low impact development. Applicants: ~Willington Planning and Zoning Commission.
M. Ellis said the Commission held a Public Hearing on October of 2008 which was continued until November of 2008. Due to comments and input from the public, the Commission withdrew the application and went back to re-work the Subdivision Regulations. M. Ellis said the driving document was the Plan of Conservation and Development which was adopted in 2006. The document said the town wanted more open space. The Commission held a series of workshops and during the process the commission hired Teri Haun, an engineer with LADA Engineering. Ms. Haun used a 100 acre piece that is currently in open space as a mock subdivision and conducted a complete run-through using the proposed Subdivision Regulations. During the run through, errors were found so the commission went back to work through the regulations
and correct the errors. After the changes were made, Ms. Haun did another run through which came out much better.
M. Ellis said the Public Hearing is a chance for the public to make comments at this time. He said copies of the proposed regulations have been posted in the town clerks office and online on the town website.
Peter Anderson, of the Conservation Commission, was present and thanked M. Ellis for his excellent summary and introduction. He said the Subdivision Regulations looked like a workable document and they appreciate all their efforts.
Bob Shabot, of the Conservation Commission, was present and said it was very nice to see the end product of the open space subdivision developments. He said, having read through the regulations they put together, their hats are off to the Commission; they have done a great service for the future of Willington.
A discussion was held on low attendance at the Public Hearing. The commission verified all the legal notifications and documents pertaining to the Public Hearing.
A. Marco motioned to wait until 8:00 pm to close the Public Hearing. A discussion was held. Attorney Branse said the Commission could open both Public Hearings concurrently. A. Marco withdrew his motion.
~PZC2011-6 To amend the Willington Zoning Regulations (Sections 4.04, 4.15, 4.18, 4.19, 4.21, 4.23, 5, 10, 11 and Table 8.02) to provide consistency with the proposed Subdivision Regulations. ~Applicants: ~Willington Planning and Zoning Commission.
M. Ellis opened the Public Hearings for PZC2011-5 and PZC2011-6 concurrently. M. Ellis said the changes in the Zoning Regulations are meant to be concurrent with the applicable Open Space Subdivision Regulations in PZC2011-5.
Attorney Branse said the Zoning Regulations and Subdivision Regulations are part of the same policy move and designed to make the two sets of regulations consistent.
Michael Nogas of 59 Latham Road was present. He asked if they changed the Zoning Regulations to meet the Subdivision Regulations and M. Ellis said that was correct.
Mr. Nogas asked, once this passes, how long he has to wait to apply. Atty. Branse said, once the legal notice is published, the regulations would become effective and even if someone appealed them, they would still be effective until a court declares otherwise.
A discussion was held on providing copies to the public. Attorney Branse said they could publish the regulations on the website but if people wanted a hard copy, they could buy one. Attorney Branse said, per the Freedom of Information Act, they can charge 50 cents a page. A discussion was held on the cost and whether or not it will be a budget item.
P. Nevers motioned to close Public Hearing PZC2011-5 and Public Hearing PZC2011-6. J. Poole seconded the motion. All in favor.
Regular Meeting
M. Ellis called the regular meeting to order. J. Poole was seated for J. Sullivan.
PZC2011-5 To adopt comprehensive changes to the Subdivision Regulations of the Town of Willington including provisions for open space subdivision, low impact development. Applicants: ~Willington Planning and Zoning Commission.
PZC2011-6 To amend the Willington Zoning Regulations (Sections 4.04, 4.15, 4.18, 4.19, 4.21, 4.23, 5, 10, 11 and Table 8.02) to provide consistency with the proposed Subdivision Regulations. ~Applicants: ~Willington Planning and Zoning Commission.
A discussion was held on having a full Commission to vote. M. Ellis said they voted at a previous meeting on whether or not a full Commission was to be present when they voted to go to Public Hearing. A. Marco said there was a discussion on whether or not every Commission member could be at every meeting. S. Yorgensen said they agreed they all could not be at every meeting but would all have to in agreement to go to Public Hearing.
J. Poole said they have set a precedent on closing a Public Hearing and then waiting until the next meeting to vote. He said they have done so with all other applications and felt that should apply to the Commission as well.
A discussion was held on the number of Commission members needed to vote. A. Marco said he felt it should be seven members, an uneven number by design, and with that, someone could not say they did not have their constituent present.
Atty. Branse said, for the motion to carry, it would require a majority vote; seven members, 4 votes would be required.
Applications PZC2011-5 and PZC2011-6 were tabled until the next meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 7:55.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele Manas
Recording Clerk
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