Planning and Zoning Commission
40 Old Farms Road Willington, CT 06279
October 2, 2012 – 7:30 PM
Meeting Minutes
Roll Call
Members Present:
Andrew Marco – Chairman
Matthew Ellis – Vice Chairman
Thomas Murphy – Secretary
Edward Standish
John Sullivan
Phil Nevers
Walter Parsell
Doug Roberts - Alternate
Members Absent:
James Poole – Alternate - excused
Also Present
Susan Yorgensen
Regular Meeting
New Business
Renewal of Special Permit Helen’s Package Store 11 Phelps Way Owner: Helen Scherwitzky
S. Yorgensen said the business owner has removes a number of the signs from her windows.
E. Standish motioned to approve the Special Permit for Helen’s Package Store. T. Murphy seconded the motion. All in favor. Motion carried.
PZC2012-34 To amend the Willington Zoning Regulation (Section 11.12.06.04) to permit fast food restaurants to exist on a site which is located within 500 feet from any point where an on-ramp and/or an off-ramp to an interstate highway intersects with a local street or state highway. Applicant: Leonard Jacobs (Received July 17, 2012 Public Hearing September 18, 2012)
Chairman Marco read the draft motions and a discussion was held on the email and recommendations from Attorney Mark Branse.
The Commission finds that the regulation change would be in accordance with the “Comprehensive Plan” and in concert with the Town Plan of Conservation and Development as well as the Regional Land Use Plan as stated in the letter from Windham Region Council of Governments dated September 5, 2012.
T. Murphy motioned to approve application PZC2012-34 to amend Section 11.12.06.04 of the Willington Zoning Regulation to read:
No “Fast Food” restaurants shall be located less than five hundred (500’) feet from any residential zone measured from any point on the site to any zone line, unless the “Fast Food” Restaurant is located on a site, any portion of which site is located within five hundred (500’) feet from any point where an on-ramp and/or an off-ramp to an interstate highway intersects with a local or state highway.
P. Nevers seconded the motion.
The commission discussed the definition of fast food restaurants; basically high volume/short duration. . A discussion was held on the locations the application may affect and Exits 70 and 71.
A vote was held. All in favor; motion carried.
PZC2012-37 To amend the Willington Zoning Regulation (Section 11.12.06.04) to permit fast food restaurants to be located on a site, a portion of which is located within 500 feet from an on-ramp to an interstate highway or at the intersection of two Principal State Routes as defined in Section 2.04.01 of the Willington zoning regulations. Applicant: B & M Realty Trust, LLC (Received September 4, 2012 Public Hearing September 18, 2012)
A discussion was held on the differences between the applications; PZC2012-37 includes two principal state routes. A. Marco said Principal State routes defined are Route 84, 74, 44, 32 and 320. A discussion was held on the bus parking lot and the portion that could be affected.
The Commission finds that the regulation change would be in accordance with the “Comprehensive Plan” and in concert with the Town Plan of Conservation and Development as well as the Regional Land Use Plan as stated in the letter from Windham Region Council of Governments dated September 5, 2012.
E. Standish motioned to approve a portion (the last sentence only) of file PZC2012-37 to amend Section 11.12.06.04 of the Willington Zoning Regulation to read:
;or any portion of which site is located within five hundred (500’) feet from the intersection of town Principal State Routes as defined in Section 2.04.02.
W. Parsell seconded the motion. All in favor; motion carried.
The amended regulation will read as follows:
No “Fast Food” restaurants shall be located less than five hundred (500’) feet from any residential zone measured from any point on the site to any zone line, unless the “Fast Food” Restaurant is located on a site, any portion of which site is located within five hundred (500’) feet from any point where an on-ramp and/or an off-ramp to an interstate highway intersects with a local or state highway; or any portion of which site is located within five hundred (500’) feet from the intersection of town Principal State Routes as defined in Section 2.04.02.
PZC2012-38 To amend the Willington Zoning Regulations to delete sections 11.20.04.06 and 4.19 regarding septic systems locations and amend Sections 4.23 and 13.05.08 regarding activity in relation to proximity to rivers. Applicant: Willington Planning and Zoning Commission
A discussion was held on the proposed amendment. The Commission will review Attorney Branse’s recommendation.
T. Murphy motioned to table this application to the next meeting. P. Nevers seconded the motion. All in favor.
PZC2012-39 Application for an Amendment to Brimwood East Section 1 Subdivision Dated 6-23-73 and Subdivision for A.R. Godbout Dated 1973, Revised July 18,1975 Owner/Applicant: Ridgeview-Willington, LLC (Received September 18, 2012 Decision by November 20, 2012)
A discussion was held on the application. S. Yorgensen explained that the application is to make the subdivision conforming to the current regulations by creating additional lot line.
The Commission asked Staff to draft a motion for the next meeting. The application was tabled until October 16, 2012.
Minutes
E. Standish motioned to approve the minutes of September 18, 2012. D. Roberts seconded the motion. All in favor; motion carried.
Correspondence
- Connecticut Siting Council letter regarding a Wireless Tower
Staff Report and Discussion
A discussion was held on the Land Use Academy.
A discussion was held on the Planning and Zoning process. E. Standish said he believes the Commission should be more business friendly and would like the Commission to evaluate how they look at things and would like the Commission to give an applicant more guidance through the process. A. Marco said the best thing to do is be approachable and stress the importance of the pre-application. E. Standish believes the applicants become frustrated as they do not know and understand the process. Selectman Mailhos said it’s not just the businesses but some people don’t come before the Commission due to the Commission’s reputation and they also think ZBA, Health and Planning & Zoning are the same department. She also commented on the need to fill the vacant position in Land Use.
A discussion was held on including a recommendation for pre-application meetings in packages. .
The meeting time was discussed and the Commission agreed to change the time back to 7:30 beginning in January.
Kim Kowalyshyn of the Economic Development Commission was present and a discussion was held on signage and the regulations. Ms. Kowalyshyn would like to find a business to provide applicants with sign options. Selectman Mailhos suggested contacting John Prusak of Signs of All Kinds.
Meeting adjourned at 8:15.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele Manas
Recording Clerk
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