TOWN OF SOMERS

PLANNING COMMISSION

P. O. Box 308

Somers, Connecticut 06071

 

PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES

4/10/03; 7:00 p.m.

Town Hall

 

I.          CALL TO ORDER:

 

            Chairman Karl Walton called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.  Members present were:  Karl Walton; Len Viera; Cliff Bordeaux; Michael Collins and Alternates Tom McCaleb; Brad Pellissier.  Brad Pellissier was seated for Jackie Haas.

 

II.            AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:    There was none.

 

III.       OLD BUSINESS:            There was none.

 

IV.       NEW BUSINESS:

 

            Brad Pellissier made a motion to take the agenda out of order because the engineer for Agenda Item (a) had not arrived.  This motion was seconded by Mike Collins and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

            b.            Reconfiguration of Lots, Parcel 1 & Parcel 2, 18 Isaac Bradway Road, Bernier

 

            The reconfiguration plan was presented to the Commission.  However, Merv Strauss had several issues that must be resolved before approval can be granted.  They are as follows:

 

1.         The surveyor, Mark Hoffman, will supply information concerning the street line for Isaac Bradway Road.

 

2.            Sanitarian Steve Jacobs will require additional tests to prove that the remaining house lot has room for a reserve area for the septic tank.

 

3.         The plan is missing house numbers.  Also, Mr. Strauss recommends that a 1'=500' key map be placed on the plan.

 

4.         Merv Strauss would like to know if there are any wetlands on the property.  If there are wetlands, they must be flagged.

 

5.         The side yard measurement should be shown from the existing house to the new common parcel boundary line.  Also, a building line dimension should be shown across both lot frontages.

 

6.         The plan shows a small parcel of land to be conveyed to Bruce K. McIntire.  This apparently is to remove an encroachment of the McIntire driveway onto Parcel 1.  This conveyance should be sufficient to permit a 10' side yard between the south edge of the driveway and the newly created property line.

 

7.         The plan shows an existing culvert opposite the new Parcel 1 and 2 boundary corner.  The Town should have a formalized drainage right to the inlet of the culvert in order to maintain the culvert.

 

When these issues are resolved, it would appear that this request for reconfiguration could be granted.

 

            c.            Zoning Referral:  Site Plan Application for Used Car Dealership, 58 Springfield Road, Moore

 

            Mr. Moore presented a site plan to the Commission of 58 Springfield Road.  He plans to rent the property and establish a used car dealership.  He will use the building in the front of the property for office space and lobby in one section and the other section for his automobile shop.  Mr. Moore pointed out the areas for customer parking as well as the spaces available for vehicles for sale.  These parking areas are paved.  There is a grassy area behind the building that could be paved if additional parking is required.  Only 60% of a business property can be covered by impervious surfaces.

 

Mr. Moore plans to plant some white pines for screening.  He also intends to develop a nice lawn and to install a sprinkler system.  He would like the area to be attractive and appealing to his customers and neighbors.  His business sign will be smaller than what is presently on the site.  He will work with the Zoning Enforcement Officer on the sign requirements.

 

Hours of operation will be 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays.  His dealership will be closed on Sundays and holidays.

 

The rear building will not be utilized - just cleaned up and made more attractive.  The property abuts a large field owned by his landlord and Cassandra's Herbs business on the south side.  He plans privacy screening on the south side.

 

Mr. Moore has an agreement with a licensed oil products removal company that will take his used oil, etc. off-site for disposal.  No body work or painting will be done on-site.  The shop will only be used to prepare the vehicles for re-sale.  The garage door is on the south side of the property.

 

No drainage plan was set up except for sheet draining.  The existing curb cuts will remain.

 

Mr. Moore said those employed would include himself, his partner, a part-time secretary and mechanic.  He plans on (8) to (10) vehicles initially and no more than (50) vehicles after the business is established.

 

Merv Strauss asked for a lighting plan and a landscaping plan.  Merv Strauss said he needs a plan that shows topography in order to determine that the drainage is adequate.  Merv said DOT approval will be required for the curb cut at the entrance.  Merv definitely needs more information before he can make a recommendation.  He suggested that Mr. Moore call his office to set up a site inspection.

 

Mr. Moore said he prefers to use down-type lighting that will not glare out onto the road or adjoining properties.  Merv Strauss said he should have adequate lighting to protect his product as well as people walking by the property.

 

Mr. Moore is aware that the property has cadmium contamination.  However, he does not plan to disturb any of the soil.

 

Mr. Moore will meet with the Staff and supply the information they need.

 

Len Viera made a motion to delay a recommendation on this site plan until more information is received for the Staff.  This motion was seconded by Brad Pellissier and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

Kathy Mashiak, 54 Springfield Road, next door neighbor of 58 Springfield Road, voiced some concerns.  She does not like the garage door facing her property.  She is concerned about lighting and the noise level from the business.

 

This property is very close to her house.  She said 6' of the driveway is on her property.  She does not want trees for screening on her property.

 

Mr. Moore said he is willing to work with Kathy Mashiak on the type and location of screening between the two properties.  He said right now, the property is an eyesore.  He intends to clean it up and make the property a welcome addition to the neighborhood.  He will only have (8) to (10) cars for sale initially.  He wants to work with his neighbors so there is no animosity.

 

Kathy Mashiak said the property drawing is incorrect.  Mr. Moore said he has no desire to encroach on her property and would be willing to move the driveway and have the garage door open to the rear of the property.  Karl Walton stated that any dispute as to where the property line is located is between the Kathy Mashiak and the property owner.

 

Merv Strauss said possibly a fence would offer more privacy between the two properties.  He asked if there is a boundary survey available for this property.

 

            d.            Zoning Referral:  Site Plan Application for Woodworking Shop, 34 Egypt Road (Units A & B), Reardon

 

            David Birkenshaw, owner of 34 Egypt Road - which is an industrial complex - said his new tenant will be operating a woodworking shop.  He manufactures wood products such as doors and moldings.  No exterior changes will be made to the building and work will not be done outside.

 

Len Viera made a motion to recommend approval to the Zoning Commission of this Site Plan Application; seconded by Brad Pellessier and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

The Commission returned to Item (a) under New Business.

 

            a.            Subdivision Application #371:  3-lots, Hillcrest Subdivision, Hillcrest Drive (Property of Larson), Buck Builders, LLC

 

            Gerry Hardisty, engineer for the applicant, said that most of the comments made by the Staff are housekeeping items and compliance will not be a problem.  The main issue is drainage.  This is a four acre parcel on the east side of Hillcrest Drive.  The road is about (40) years old; the east side is already soggy and the edges of the pavement are broken.  There is no drainage along the road.  There are (2) catch basins.  One has an 8" pipe going into the catch basin and the other is a curtain drain.

 

Merv Strauss said he walked the length of the pipe but does not know where it empties out.

 

Gerry Hardisty said he feels the best solution to the drainage problem would be to cut an open swale in a (4) to (1) slope and gradually drop about one foot to a (3) to (1) slope the rest of the way at the front of the property.  Run-off from the road would go into the swale which would flow into the brook.  He proposes to put pipe under the driveway aprons.  On Lot #3, the driveway is at the same level as the earth.  Therefore, it is proposed to run swales on both sides of the driveway.

 

Merv Strauss said the applicant may have to make some adjustments if the water run-off increases because of this subdivision.  When a house is placed on the site, the water run-off from the property will change.  He feels there should be an underdrain that is tied into the catch basin.

 

Merv Strauss suggested the following:

1.         The underdrain has to be fixed or replaced.

2.         Water from the driveways has to go into the drainage system.

 

Gerry Hardisty feels that if the swale is cut in, then the water will come off the driveways and flow into the swale.

 

Merv Strauss feels the swale would be affected by a heavy snowfall and suggested a small structure - about 15 degrees steep - in the driveway.  Merv said the condition of the road where the pavement is breaking up needs to be addressed.  The developer would have to fix the pipe and put in a drainage system.  The Subdivision Regulations require that there is no increase in water run-off because of this subdivision.  If need be, this could be accomplished by a detention basin.

 

Gerry Hardisty will work with Staff members to come up with a viable solution to the drainage problems on this site.

 

V.            STAFF/COMMISSION REPORT.

 

            Karl Walton reminded the Commissioners that there will be a bus tour of the Town on Friday, 4/11/03, beginning in the Town Hall parking lot at 4:00 p.m.  The purpose of the tour is to review sites for future development as part of the updating of the Plan for Conservation and Development.

 

VI.            AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:

 

            Randall Rivest of 86 Loubier Drive said a developer is building a house next door to him at 94 Loubier Drive.  The water run-off from this site has caused a pool of water in his backyard that is at least 6" deep, 35’ wide, and over 100' long.  The developer has said he will address the problem when the grading is done on his property.  Mr. Rivest said this stagnant water has been on his property since last November and he is concerned about bacteria growth.

 

Merv Strauss suggested that Mr. Rivest work with both Steve Jacobs and David Askew as well as the developer to resolve the problem of standing water on his property.

 

VII.            CORRESPONDENCE AND BILLS:            deferred until the next meeting.

 

VIII.            MINUTES APPROVAL:            March 13, 2003 & March 20, 2003 & March 27, 2003

 

            Approval of these minutes will be deferred until the next Planning meeting.

 

IX.            ADJOURNMENT:

 

            Motion to adjourn made by Brad Pellissier; seconded by Cliff Bordeaux and unanimously approved by the Commission.  The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

 

                                                            Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                            Leonard Viera, Secretary

 

                                                            Connie Carenzo, Recording Secretary