TOWN OF WILLINGTON
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
MINUTES
September 9, 2004
PUBLIC HEARINGS: Members seated: R. Maloney, Chr., N. Wilson, Secy., P. Wright, A. Poole, M. Masinda
Hearings opened at 7:35 p.m.
1. File 2004-11 – Application for an 11’ side line variance to construct a 23’ x 10’ deck
and 15’ x 30’ above ground pool at 69 St. Moritz Circle. Owner/Applicant: Donna McGuinness.
Hearing continued from 8/5/04 at 7:35 p.m. Members present – same as above. Also present Donna McGuinness. Mr. Maloney stated for the record that Mr. McGuinness had done some work on Mr. Maloney’s home five years ago.
Ms. McGuinness explained that the hardship of placing the pool and deck anywhere else would infringe on septic and wetlands. She also submitted a map showing the distances from the wetlands to her sideline. These distances ranged from 48’10” in the rear to 105’5” just above where she wants to put in her pool. Ms. McGuinness also stated that she was planning on putting a stockade fence both along her property line and also on the deck to help with noise abatement.
No one spoke in favor of applicant.
Susan Gifford of 73 St. Moritz Circle spoke against the application and asked that a letter dated 9-9-2004 plus a picture of scaffolding be put into the record. She stated again that she was strongly opposed and that she had some repercussions concerning her testimony given on 8-5-2004.
Commission members had no questions.
R. Maloney closed hearing at 7:50 p.m.
2. File #2004-12 – Application for a Special Exception for a travel agency at 165 River Road. Owner: 165 River Road LLC; Applicants: Janice Clauson & Shannon Hall Walker of Kaleidoscope Journeys, LLC.
Hearing opened at 7:51 p.m. Members present – same as above. Thomas Kuhns and David Caron, owners of the building were also present.
Mr. Kuhns explained that the travel agency has been in operation for many years in Mansfield and that they have corporate clients and older clients that may stop in to pick up tickets. There are two employees, Ms. Clauson and Ms. Hall Walker, and they have rented three offices.
Mr. Maloney asked about signage and Mr. Kuhns stated they are waiting for the spaces to be occupied before applying for a sign permit.
Ms. Wright suggested that the sign application be submitted with the provision that more tenants could be added as they rent space.
Mr. Kuhns submitted a letter requesting waiver of the septic plan review.
Mr. Maloney asked that the Health Department and IWWC submit memos regarding their specific areas. Ms. Jordan will take care of those requests.
No one was present to speak against the application. Mr. Hisey spoke in favor of the application, stating that the travel agency would be a good contribution to the tax base in Willington.
Mr. Maloney asked what the historic number of people were for the building. Mr. Kuhns stated that a previous tenant employed approximately 30 people and that the number of tenants now in the building is well below that number.
Mr. Caron said that the septic was replaced within 10 years ago and that he would come into the Land Use Office and get all the particulars concerning the repair.
Hearing closed at 8:08 p.m.
3. File 2004-13 – Application for a Special Exception for a literary office at 156 River Road. Owner: Thomas Buccino; Applicant: Robin Schader.
Hearing opened at 8:09 p.m. Members present – same as above. Thomas Buccino and Robin Schader were also present.
Ms. Schader explained that the office would be used only sporadically during the evening hours because she was a research assistant professor at Uconn. There would be no customers or signage and she would park by the pond.
Mr. Buccino submitted a letter requesting waiver of the septic plan review. He also submitted outdated IWWC and EHHD memos. Mr. Maloney requested current memos from IWWC and EHHD. Ms. Jordan will follow up. Mr. Buccino also submitted a parking plan for the property.
No one spoke against the application. Mr. Hisey was in favor of the application.
Hearing closed 8:16.
REGULAR MEETING: Members present: Same as above .
CALL TO ORDER: Opened at 8:17 p.m.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. File 2004-11 – Application for an 11’ side line variance to construct a 23’ x 10’ deck
and 15’ x 30’ above ground pool at 69 St. Moritz Circle. Owner/Applicant: Donna McGuinness.
Mr. Maloney recommended that Mark Masinda review the tapes of the previous meeting minutes regarding this application and that the commission would make a decision at the 10/14/04.
2. File #2004-12 – Application for a Special Exception for a travel agency at 165 River
Road. Owner: 165 River Road LLC; Applicants: Janice Clauson & Shannon Hall Walker of Kaleidoscope Journeys, LLC.
N. Wilson made a motion to approve the application, P. Wright seconded. Vote: All in favor with the condition that current memos be submitted from the IWWC and EHHD and Mr. Kuhns would drop off the green certified cards.
3. File 2004-13 – Application for a Special Exception for a literary office at 156 River
Road. Owner: Thomas Buccino; Applicant: Robin Schader.
P. Wright made motion with the condition that current memos be submitted from the IWWC and EHHD. N. Wilson seconded. Vote: All in Favor.
MINUTES: Approval of minutes would be made at 10/14/04 meeting.
CORRESPONDENCE:
NEW BUSINESS:
File 2004-14 – Application for a Special Exception for an Engineering Design Firm at 156 River Road. Owner: Thomas Buccino; Applicants: Timothy Morello and John Dybowski. Application received 9/9/04, site walk 10/7/04 at 6:30 p.m., Public hearing 10/14/04.
Mr. Morello and Mr. Dybowski explained that they designed computer boards that talk to computers. The manufacture of the boards will be done off site. They will be assembled and shipped from the River Rd. site.
Their hours would be 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and they would use parking spaces on the pond side of the building.
They would be hiring an employee to help in the office at the first of the year.
DISCUSSION:
R. Maloney suggested that Commission start thinking about election of officers coming up in December.
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion made by N. Wilson to adjourn meeting, seconded by P. Wright.
Vote: All in favor. Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Andrea Jordan, Clerk for ZBA
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