Planning and Zoning Commission
40 Old Farms Road Willington, CT 06279
November 20, 2012 – 7:00 PM
Meeting Minutes
Roll Call
Members Present:
Andrew Marco – Chairman
Thomas Murphy – Secretary
Edward Standish
Phil Nevers
John Sullivan
Walter Parsell
Doug Roberts – Alternate
Members Absent:
Matt Ellis - excused
James Poole – Alternate – excused
Also Present
Martha Fraenkel, Interim Agent
Chairman Marco called the meeting to order at 7:00. D. Roberts was seated as a regular commission member.
Regular Meeting
PZC2012-43 Application Special Permit for Dog Grooming and associated retail sales at 16 Tolland Turnpike (Map 30 Lot 13 Zone DC) Owner: Chace Realty LLC Applicant: Allison Roberts (Received November 20, 2012 Public Hearing December 4, 2012 Decision within 65 days after close of P.H.)
Application was received November 20, 2012 and the Public Hearing was set for December 4, 2012.
PZC2012-44 Application Special Permit and amendment to approved site plan at 39 Adamec Road (Map 24 Lot 40 Zone DC) Owner/Applicant: 39 Adamec Road LLC (Received November 20, 2012 Public Hearing December 4, 2012 Decision within 65 days after close of P.H.)
Application was received November 20, 2012. M. Fraenkel said the application includes a request for expansion of the building and outdoor seating. The Public Hearing was set for December 4, 2012.
PZC2012-45 Application for 3 lot Subdivision at 476 Tolland Turnpike and Meadow Lane (Map 16 & 21 Lot 22 Zone R80) Owner/Applicant: Ridgeview-Willington, LLC (Received November 20, 2012 Public Hearing by January 15, 2013 Decision within 65 days after close of P.H.)
M. Fraenkel distributed plans to the commission. The Public Hearing was set for January 15, 2013 as requested by the applicant.
Old Business
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.
Chairman Marco explained that the application was previously voted on October 16, 2012 but it was not a valid vote as the statute requires for regulation changes to be passed by majority vote of a full commission.
The Commission finds that these regulation changes would be in accordance with the “Comprehensive Plan” and in concert with the Towns Plan of Conservation and Development as well as the Windham Region Land Use Plan (See letter from Windham Region Council of Governments dated September 5, 2012.)
E. Standish motioned to delete Section 4.19 in its entirety. T. Murphy seconded the motion. All in favor. Motion carried.
Waste Disposal System Locations. To help preserve the natural environment of Willington and to help promote the health and welfare of Willington citizens through the protection of lakes, ponds, watercourses and environmentally sensitive soils from potential waste disposal system pollution, all waste disposal systems for new buildings and structures shall be installed no less than one hundred and fifty feet (150’) from wetlands and watercourses. The terms "watercourse" and "wetlands" shall be defined in accordance with the definitions and procedures set forth in the Willington Inland Wetlands Regulations. All setbacks shall be measured on a horizontal plane.
T. Murphy motioned to amend Section 4.23 to read as follows. J. Sullivan seconded the motion. All in favor. Motion carried.
Section 4 General Regulations. 4.23 Riparian Corridors. The following watercourses and their tributaries (upstream to the point where their drainage area is less than 200 acres) are of special concern within the town: Fenton River, Roaring Brook and Willimantic River. For these watercourses and their tributaries, no buildings or associated parking areas, septic systems, or clearing of vegetation shall be proposed within 150 feet measured horizontally from the wetland boundaries adjacent to each side of the watercourse; provided, however, that septic systems required to serve an existing building or use may be located within such buffer, subject to approval in accordance with the Willington Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Regulations. Utilities, erosion and sediment control practices and
storm water management control practices may be installed within the 150’ buffer provided their impact is minimal.
W. Parsell motioned to delete section 11.20.04.06 in its entirety. P. Nevers seconded the motion. All in favor. Motion carried.
(Standards for High Intensity Uses) No portion of any subsurface septic system shall be located within one hundred fifty (150') feet of any inland wetland or watercourse as described in Public Act 72-155, as amended, or within two hundred (200') feet of any wetland or watercourse when the system is located in a sand and gravel soil. [Preceding from former Section 4.7.3.2, amended effective 8/1/96]
J. Sullivan motioned to amend Section 13.05.08 as follows. T. Murphy seconded the motion. All in favor. Motion carried.
13.05.08 Wetland and Watercourse Protection. No sanitary disposal system shall be located within one hundred and fifty feet of major rivers and their tributaries (see Section 4.23).
Pre Application: discussion with Jeanette Rohan regarding possible uses of property at 165 River Road former Jury’s Tavern
Mr. and Mrs. Rohan were present and said they are looking at the barn as a possible event venue as barns are very popular and this is a good location. Mrs. Rohan said the property consists of 2 colonial style buildings and 2 large barns; one in good condition and one in poor condition. She said they are looking for feedback from the Commission on this proposed use. The buildings would continue to house the office space currently in use and they hope to rent out the additional office space. Mrs. Rohan said one possible use is a hair and nail salon and they have also considered apartments on the second floor.
The barn use would be for special events but would be catered only with the kitchen used for storage and refrigeration, no cooking. Mrs. Rohan said they would like to remove the barn that is in poor condition and presented a picture of the parcel.
Chairman Marco said the current use is approved and the hair and nail salon would be dependent on the water and septic; the applicant would have to go through Eastern Highland Health Department. He said he was not sure about apartments but would discuss the possibility of apartments about the office space with Staff.
J. Sullivan suggested the applicant prioritize the proposed uses. T. Murphy said he does have water use concerns for the property.
Mrs. Rohan said they have not made an offer; the taxes are high and they couldn’t afford the property if they could not get tenants in addition to the one tenant currently there.
Minutes
E. Standish motioned to approve the minutes of October16, 2012. W. Parsell seconded the motion. All in favor. Motion carried.
Correspondence
- Letter from State of Connecticut Siting Council regarding the intent to modify an existing telecommunications tower at 56 Cosgrove Rd.
- Letter from Town of Mansfield regarding a Ropes Course on Rte. 32.
- Letter from Christine Anderson with her concerns on an AT&T tower on Old South Willington Road. A. Marco said this falls under the Siting Counsel.
- Letter from Wayne Kasacek regarding a plan to modify lot boundaries to settle an estate. Mr. Kasacek would like to speak to the Commission regarding this modification and would like to be added to the December 4, 2012 agenda.
- Letter from Apex to Christina Mailhos regarding TravelCenters Wastewater Treatment Plant Permit Renewal; letter dated November 5, 2012.
The Commission expressed its concern about TravelCenters waste water discharge and is still waiting the Spill Response Plan. Staff will look into this.
Staff Report
M. Fraenkel informed the Commission of three applications before the Zoning Board on December 13, 2012; a building proposed on 48 Balasz Rd, a proposed car port at the intersection of Schofield and Village Hill and proposed office space at 165 River Road.
Meeting adjourned at 7:58.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele Manas
Recording Clerk
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