Planning and Zoning Commission
40 Old Farms Road Willington, CT 06279
March 18, 2014 7:30 PM
Meeting Minutes
Roll Call
Members Present
Andrew Marco – Chairman
Doug Roberts – Vice-Chairman
Edward Standish
Kenneth Golden
Members Absent:
John Sullivan – Secretary – excused
Walter Parsell - excused
Phil Nevers - excused
Also Present:
Susan Yorgensen - Zoning Agent
Public Hearing
Chairman Marco called the Public Hearing to order at 7:30
PZC2014-6 To amend the Willington Zoning Regulation: ~(Section 11.08.04 to allow for a landscaped buffer or a fence along lots containing gasoline stations along boundaries abutting residential zones and ~Section 19.04.01 to allow for an increase in square footage of non-commercial signs ordered by a public official. ) Applicant: Willington Planning and Zoning Commission (Received February 18, 2014 Public Hearing March 18, 2014 Decision within 65 days after close of P.H.)
Chairman Marco explained the reason for the proposed amendment for 11.08.04. Per the regulations, a 6 foot high wooden fence has to be between property lines on the property border for any gasoline station. He said, for some applications, it doesn’t make sense; you would have to put the fence through the woods and through the wetlands. A. Marco said, in regards to signage, the current sign regulations do not allow for signs that meet DOT standards.
Chairman Marco said they received a letter from CRCOG stating they reviewed the referral and do not find any apparent conflict with regional plans and policies. They also received a letter from WINCOG stating the proposal is not anticipated to create negative intermunicipal impacts.
Ralph Tulis said the regulation change does not make sense. He read the proposed wording and said the way the proposal is worded the applicant could still put up a fence along the lot line. He said lot line is defined as any boundary line of the lot. Mr. Tulis said the only change he can see is the word and has been changed to the word or. E. Standish said they could do a landscape buffer or a fence. A discussion was held.
Mr. Tulis submitted a portion of Love’s Travel Stop & Country Store Grading and Drainage Plan showing the distance from the northern most portion of the development to the northerly property line is 485 feet which would be 485 feet of wetlands enclosed by a fence which doesn’t make sense. A discussion was held on a landscape buffer. Mr. Tulis said a wooden fence is still appropriate along the northerly side of the truck parking area as it is still viewable residential land.
Chairman Marco said the Commission will not be voting on the application tonight as the statute states they have to have 5 seated members to vote.
Mr. Tulis added the choice of and/or might be wiser as there may be times when and is appropriate. Mr. Tulis said, regarding the proposal for public signs, the Commission should have a definition for Public Officials and a discussion was held.
Attorney Leonard Jacobs said the Planning and Zoning Commission is a Public Official if they act as a body but not one individual Commission member would be considered a Public Official. Atty. Jacobs said with their property if they were to put a fence through the landscape buffer, they would destroy the buffer to some extent. He said he thinks the point of having landscaping or fence is if you don’t have the landscaping, the Commission is going to require a fence. But if there is landscaping there, you wouldn’t want to destroy the landscaping to put up a fence.
Chairman Marco asked for additional comments from the public and there were none. He said what they have heard from Mr.Tulis is they need clarification on the fence and the buffer and a definition for a Public Official.
E. Standish motioned to close the Public Hearing. D. Roberts seconded the motion. All in favor. Motion carried.
Regular Meeting
Chairman Marco called the Regular Meeting to order.
Pre Application: Douglas Ellis to discuss a proposed 5 lot subdivision on Lustig Road
Douglas Ellis was present and presented plans. He said they are proposing 5 lots on the parcel; 2 frontage lots along Lustig Road and 3 lots served by a common drive. A. Marco said they have walked the property. Mr. Ellis said they have done testing for septic. He said the open space would be adjacent to Fenton Ruby Park. D. Roberts asked if they have enough room for a turnaround for emergency vehicles and Mr. Ellis said, if it is an issue, they will add it in. S. Yorgensen said the main reason for a turnaround is if there is a fire truck and an ambulance on the scene at the same time.
A discussion was held on the plans and the slopes on the site. A discussion was held on the common drive.
The Commission did not see any major issues with the proposed 5 lot subdivision.
PZC2014-6 To amend the Willington Zoning Regulation: ~(Section 11.08.04 to allow for a landscaped buffer or a fence along lots containing gasoline stations along boundaries abutting residential zones and ~Section 19.04.01 to allow for an increase in square footage of non-commercial signs ordered by a public official. ) Applicant: Willington Planning and Zoning Commission (Received February 18, 2014 Public Hearing March 18, 2014 Decision within 65 days after close of P.H.)
Recordings will be sent to J. Sullivan and W. Parsell and the Commission will discuss the wording at the next meeting.
A discussion was held on the number of Commission members needed to vote on the regulation change. S. Yorgensen said you need a majority to approve a regulation change. A discussion was held on the empty seats on PZC. The Commission would like to send an email out to the townspeople regarding the vacancies and try to fill the seats.
Minutes
E. Standish motioned to approve the minutes. K. Golden seconded the minutes. D. Roberts abstained. All others in favor.
Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele Manas
Michele Manas
Recording Clerk
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