Planning and Zoning Commission
40 Old Farms Road Willington, CT 06279
February 3, 2015 7:30 PM
Meeting Minutes
Roll Call
Members Present
Andrew Marco – Chairman
Doug Roberts – Vice-Chairman
John Sullivan – Secretary
Nicole Martin
Members Absent:
Walter Parsell – excused
Phil Nevers - excused
Edward Standish - excused
Kenneth Golden - excused
Also Present:
Susan Yorgensen - Zoning Agent
Public Hearing
PZC2014-38 Amend Zoning Regulation Section 5.07.03.01 (setbacks) and allowable yards for the DCR zone in table 8.02 which are conflicting. Applicant: Willington River Corporation (Received November 18, 2014 Public Hearing January 20, 2015 continued Decision within 65 days after close of P.H.)
Mark Peterson was present for the applicant. S.Yorgensen submitted a comparison of the apartments in Willington showing the minimum distance to the property line. She also submitted a memo explaining the history of the Zoning Regulations for Designed Community Residential Zones and set back distances. Ralph Tulis submitted an analysis on various properties comparing 200 foot setbacks vs. 100 foot setbacks. A discussion was held on all documents submitted.
Mark Peterson presented the site plan. He said the parcel is a woodland site with wetlands and for this reason, he believes there is going to be substantial buffering to adjacent landowners. Mr. Peterson said, if the regulations were changed to 100 foot setbacks, he does not believe there would be an impact to adjoining sites.
Mr. Tulis said the town has a history with apartments in close proximity to UCONN; the 200 foot setback was put in the regulations for justifiable reason. A discussion was held on UCONN housing and the impact it may have on the town. A discussion was held on the table comparing the setbacks for all apartments in town; the most recent projects had a 200 foot setback whereas the older multi-family units ranged from 20 feet to 125 feet.
Mr. Peterson said 25% open space is required and could be positioned in a place to provide buffering; it could be a good tool used by the Board. S. Yorgensen asked how far the parcel is from the Baxter Road apartments and Mr. Peterson said they are proposing a 100 foot setback and the Baxter Road apartments have a 200 foot setback.
S. Yorgensen said any regulation change would pertain to everyone, not just this applicant. A discussion was held on irregular shaped properties and the effect the setbacks would have on buildable areas. A discussion was held on open space and the effect it has on wildlife. A. Marco said the animals like corridor open space rather than large open space areas.
There were no further questions or comments. J. Sullivan motioned to close the Public Hearing. D. Roberts seconded the motion. All in favor. The Public Hearing was closed.
Regular Meeting
PZC2015-5 Review of new lighting for sign at 451 River Road (Map 34 Lot 6 Zone R80) (Received February 3, 2015) Applicant: Allen Patnode
Mr. Patnode was present. S. Yorgensen said the new application has horizontal louver cut-off lighting. Mr. Patnode said the lights are T5 fluorescent bulbs. A. Marco said the application meets their dark skies initiative and provides the ability to see the sign.
D. Roberts motioned to approve PZC2015-5. J. Sullivan seconded the motion. All in favor. Motion carried.
Old Business
PZC2014-38 Amend Zoning Regulation Section 5.07.03.01 (setbacks) and allowable yards for the DCR zone in table 8.02 which are conflicting. Applicant: Willington River Corporation (Received November 18, 2014 Public Hearing January 20, 2015 Decision within 65 days after close of P.H.)
Chairman Marco said the Commission has to remember regulation changes apply to all applications that meet the requirements. The Commission is going to wait until they have a fuller Commission to make a decision on the above application.
Minutes
Chairman Marco motioned to approve the minutes of January 20, 2015 with the following corrections; Members present – Andrew Marco, Doug Roberts, Walter Parsell, Edward Standish, Ken Golden, Nicole Martin, Members Absent – John Sullivan – excused, Phil Nevers – excused. D. Roberts seconded the motion. All in favor. Motion carried.
Staff Report and Discussion
Discussion was held on the proposed Budget and the line item added for a part time Zoning Agent. Another item that need to be funded is the Regulation Change since they want to start revisions, starting with the sign regulationsl. S. Yorgensen said she also would add an amount for paper and ink for the GIS system.
S. Yorgensen said Dunkin Donuts is still working with the DOT on the road requirements and it looks like they are moving forward. She said Love’s Travel Stop still has a lot of homework to do on their proposed site but they are having regular meetings. S. Yorgensen said Fed Ex will be coming in soon for their proposed parking lot expansion.
Correspondence
- Letter from CRCOG to Willington PZC regarding Zoning Referral Z-2014-121
- Copy of a letter from CRCOG to Ellington PZC regarding Subdivision Referral S-2014-3
- Copy of a letter from CRCOG to Mansfield PZC regarding POCD Referral POCD-2014-7
- Letter from CRCOG to Willington PZC regarding Zoning Referral Z-2014-115
- Emergency Incident Report from DEEP on a petroleum spill at 247 Tolland Tpke
- Emergency Incident Report from DEEP on a petroleum spill at 467 River Road
Meeting adjourned at 8:45.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele Manas
Recording Clerk
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