TOWN OF SOMERS

PLANNING COMMISSION

P. O. Box 308

Somers, Connecticut 06071

 

PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES

2/27/03; 7:00 p.m.

Town Hall

 

I.          CALL TO ORDER:

 

            Chairman Karl Walton called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.  Members present were:  Karl Walton; Len Viera; Cliff Bordeaux (7:08) and Alternates Tom McCaleb; Michelle Hayward; Brad Pellissier.  Michelle Hayward was seated for Jackie Haas and Tom McCaleb was seated for Mike Collins.  Also present was Patrice Carson, Town Planner.

 

II.            AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:

 

            Abutters to the 2-lot subdivision, Hall Hill Ridge - an agenda item for this meeting - asked to review the plans for this subdivision.  Town Planner Patrice Carson answered questions about the site plan and explained what the developer planned to do.

 

Scott Sparrow, 106 Hall Hill Road:  said he is concerned about retaining his privacy if the house is built really far back on Lot #1.  He was told that the location of the house has not yet been established.  Mrs. Sparrow is concerned about water run-off.  She does not want the water run-off onto her property to increase because of this subdivision.

 

III.       OLD BUSINESS:

            a.            Discussion/Possible Decision:  Subdivision Application #370:  2-Lots, Hall Hill Ridge, 106 Hall Hill Road, WLJ Developers, LLC

 

            Sandy Aeschliman, engineer for WLJ Developers, reviewed the site plan with the Commission.  He said this is a straightforward two-lot subdivision that will have on-site septic systems and wells.  All of the Staff comments have been addressed.

 

Sandy Aeschliman said the land in the subdivision could be graded to control the water run-off to go down beyond the Sparrow property.  The area around the house will be graded to minimize any additional water run-off.  The entire area is like a meadow.  The driveways will be paved and graded so that water run-off will not flow onto Hall Hill Road.

 

Certified receipts from notification to abutters were turned in to the Town Planner.  The house numbers for the two lots have been established - #98 and #122.  There was a drainage easement to the Town when the original (6) lot subdivision was proposed.  This has been removed.

 

The Commission has requested that the southerly lot line between lot #2 and the Sparrow property be straightened out now that the easement has been removed.  Sandy Aeschliman said he would have to check with his client because there would be additional cost involved; i.e., a new deed and a fee for his services.  He would prefer that straightening out this lot line is not a condition of approval.  He said his client has already spent a large sum of money in trying to get a 6-lot subdivision approved with public water.  This did not work out.  It would not hurt anything to leave the property line as it is now.

 

Patrice Carson said that subdivision regulations have been met and an appraisal has been done on the property and an open space fee has been established.

 

Cliff Bordeaux made a motion to approve WLJ Developers LLC's 2-lot subdivision, application #370, in accordance with the plans known as "Subdivision Plan Hall Hill Ridge Subdivision Prepared For WLJ Developers, LLC, Somers, Conn.", dated 12-30-02, Revised: through 2-20-03, 5 sheets, which is conditional on the following:

 

            1.            A note shall be placed on the plans:

            "The filing of a $7,935.00 fee in lieu of open space ($3,967.50 per lot) is required to be paid to the Town of Somers upon the sale or transfer of each lot."

The Town of Somers shall also place a notice on the land records to insure payment.

            2.            A copy of the transfer of any lot shall be filed by the applicant with the Planning Office.

            3.            The signatures of the Town Engineer and Town Sanitarian be on the plans signifying their approval of the plans in accordance with Section 213-19 of the Subdivision Regulations.

            4.            All appropriate seals and signatures of the design professionals for this plan shall be on the plans.

            5.            The $300.00 fee for the appraisal for open space shall be paid in full and proof of payment shall be submitted to the planning office.

            6.            A permit from the Department of Transportation shall be presented to the Planning Office for construction of each driveway.

            7.            It is the suggestion of the Planning Commission that the southerly lot line between lot #2 and the lot owned by Sparrow measuring 214.42' should be straightened out to Hall Hill Road to eliminate the 39.85' curved property line.

 

The Planning Commission finds with these conditions the plan meets the requirements of the Somers Subdivision Regulations.

 

Brad Pellissier suggested swaling the land to prevent drainage onto neighboring properties.

 

Daniel Crabb of 109 Hall Hill Road said that water already comes over the road during rainstorms.

 

He was told that the State has to issue permits for the two driveways because Hall Hill Road is a State road.  There is no drainage along Hall Hill Road; there is a cross culvert.

 

Peter Brink, 122 Hall Hill Road agreed that there is water run-off onto Hall Hill Road during rainstorms.

 

Jim O'Donnell, 95 Hall Hill Road was concerned about water run-off from Lot #2's driveway.

 

The Town Planner explained that the driveways are under the control of the State.  These plans will be presented to the State and they will issue a permit.   If the State does not approve of the water run-off, they will relocate the driveway.  The State will also be concerned that the proposed driveways meet the line of sight requirement.  The State does not want water run-off from a driveway going onto a State road.

 

Mr. O'Donnell said he would like to see storm drains put in along Hall Hill Road.

 

Tim Potrikus of 38 Fox Hollow Road is concerned about the setbacks of a new house as related to his property.  He asked if the side yard requirement of 25' could be increased for this property.  The Town Planner said the Zoning Regulations could not be altered.  However, there will be no second house on the back lot.  A public hearing would be required for any further development.  Also, there is not the required frontage for a second lot.

 

Len Viera seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved by the Planning Commission.

 

Cliff Bordeaux made a motion to add the following under Old Business - Other.  This motion was seconded by Tom McCaleb and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

            b.            Other

                        Discussion of Plan of Conservation and Development:

 

                        Brad Pellissier said the Board of Finance would like to see a contract with Planimetrics that allows the Board of Finance to approve funding on an annual basis - dependent on available funding for this project.  Planimetrics would like a contract for the entire 3-year program.

 

After Patrice Carson explained the situation with the Board of Finance, she was able to negotiate a contract, subject to funding, with Planimetrics.  This approval would be dependent on available funding for this project in fiscal years 2004/05 and 2005/06.

 

Patrice Carson said the Planning Commission - in the future - will update the Plan of Conservation and Development every two or three years to be sure the Plan is always in compliance with the wishes of its citizens as far as future development and conservation issues are concerned and in compliance with the State Statutes.

 

Chairman Karl Walton complimented Patrice Carson on her expertise in convincing Planimetrics to proceed according to the wishes of the Board of Finance.

 

IV.       NEW BUSINESS:            There was none.

 

Cliff Bordeaux made a motion to proceed to Minutes Approval as the Town Planner was called out of the meeting.  This motion was seconded by Michelle Hayward and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

VIII.            MINUTES APPROVAL:            February 13, 2003

 

            Tom McCaleb made a motion to approve the 2/13/03 minutes, as written.  This motion was seconded by Cliff Bordeaux and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

V.            STAFF/COMMISSIONER REPORTS:

 

            Patrice Carson said she has been asked to speak tonight concerning the Open Space Program in front of the Northern Connecticut Land Trust.  She will also answer any questions the group might have concerning the Open Space Program.

 

The GIS program should be ready to use this week.

 

Patrice has also been working with the developer on the Hall Hill Ridge Subdivision.

 

VI.            AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:    There was none.

 

VII.            CORRESPONDENCE AND BILLS:

 

            There were no bills. 

 

            Patrice Carson has a booklet - put out by CRCOG - concerning trends in our region.  Any Commissioner can borrow it - as long as it is returned.

 

IX.            ADJOURNMENT:

 

            Motion to adjourn was made by Cliff Bordeaux; seconded by Michelle Hayward and unanimously approved by the Commission.  The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

 

                                                            Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                            Leonard Viera, Secretary

 

                                                            Connie Carenzo, Recording Secretary