MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVAL AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING.
TOWN OF SOMERS
PLANNING
COMMISSION
P. O. Box 308
Somers,
Connecticut 06071
PLANNING
COMMISSION MINUTES
5/8/03;
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; Michael Collins; Len Viera; Clifford Bordeaux (7:35). Also present was Alternate Tom McCaleb who was seated for Jackie Haas. Town Consulting Engineer Merv Strauss and Town Planner Patrice Carson were also in attendance.
II. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: There was none.
III. OLD BUSINESS:
a. Subdivision Application #371: 3-Lots, Hillcrest Subdivision, Hillcrest
Drive (Property of Larson), Buck Builders LLC
Gerry
Hardisty, engineer for the applicant, said he feels that drainage should be a
non-issue. The Town's stormwater system
dumps into an existing easement that flows down to the brook. This water run-off does not have an impact
on the Pleasant View Farms property.
Run-off from a subdivision can not increase the flow so that a stream
overflows its banks. This subdivision
will not cause this kind of water run-off.
The cfs increase is very small.
There are two property maps on file that both deal
with the same area. This is a
re-subdivision. The drainage on
Hillcrest Drive should have been designed for future development. This drainage system has more than enough
capacity for this development.
There are still outstanding issues on Staff
requests. The public hearing on this
resubdivision could be scheduled at the first meeting in June or an extension will
be required.
Patrice Carson asked if anyone has looked at
Celotto's deed.
The title company has not submitted a written
opinion on the drainage easement. The
open space issue has been settled as far as a fee will be paid in lieu of open
space. However, the appraisal has not
been received.
Patrice Carson, Merv Strauss and Steve Jacobs all
have issues to be resolved. Updated
plans have to be received.
Merv Strauss said that Public Works does not object
to a side road swale. The driveways may
have to be re-graded in order to satisfy Public Works.
Gerry Hardisty asked if there were any other issues involving drainage. Merv said he would like to review Gerry's drainage calculations and hear what the Title Company says about the deed.
IV. NEW BUSINESS:
a. Subdivision Application #372: 2-Lot Subdivision, 245 George Wood Road,
Camerota
This item will be discussed later in the meeting.
b. Reconfiguration
of Lots, 251 & 255 Field Road, Smyth & Avery
This
reconfiguration was applied for quite some time ago and the applicants
withdrew. Patrice Carson pointed out
the proposed reconfiguration to the Commission. Mr. Smyth would like to add a piece of property to his existing
property and make it "L" shaped.
He plans to put a new building on this property in the future. All of this property is zoned
industrial. Sanitarian Steve Jacobs has
no problem with this proposed reconfiguration.
Michael Collins made a motion to approve the
reconfiguration of property of Robert J. Smyth at 251 Field Road and property
of Robert J. Smyth and Jean J. & Julia Avery at 225 Field Road, as shown on
map entitled, "Improvement Location Survey Prepared For Robert J. Smyth,
Somers, Connecticut". This
reconfiguration does not constitute a subdivision because no new lot is
created. This motion was seconded by
Len Viera and unanimously approved by the Commission.
a. Subdivision Application #372, 2-Lot
Subdivision, 245 George Wood Road, Camerota
Len
Viera recused himself from discussing this agenda item only.
The purpose of this application is to divide Mr. Viera's single lot into (2) lots. The Commission needs to know if this application would be classified as a resubdivision. The applicant intends to deed this property to his daughter for no consideration. Therefore, there will be no open space requirements.
Gerry Hardisty, engineer for the applicant, said
this property has an existing house and septic system. The new lot will have a house, septic system
and driveway. The new house and septic
system are bound by the existing septic system location. The septic system is right on a property
line and the Sanitarian has said this is where it has to be. The frontage requirements need to be
met. There is only one location for the
driveway, which needs to be shown on the site plan. The line of sight is good in this area. The Wetland Agent has asked for an undisturbed buffer between the
house and wetlands and maybe five to ten feet of plantings. This is a very tight area and probably only
a certain size house can be approved.
The radial lot line will have to be waived.
Patrice Carson said that this application needs a
Staff review. The Staff should have
comments by the end of next week.
Len Viera returned to his Commission seat.
At the Town Planner's request, Tom McCabe made a
motion to add the following (3) items to the agenda under New Business:
c. Discussion - Possible Decision: Reduction of Performance Bond for the
Subdivision known as Whispering Woods Estates Section III
Michael Collins made a motion to approve the reduction of Bruce E. Wood and Thomas E. Wood's performance bond of $221,000.00 by $154,700.00 as permitted by the subdivision regulations to the amount of $66,300.00, for the Subdivision known as "Whispering Woods Estates Section III". The Town Engineer has reviewed the construction and agrees with the reduction requested. The reduction of the bond is subject to the presentation of a performance bond to the Planning Office for the reduced amount in the form of Surety, Irrevocable Letter of Credit, or Passbook acceptable to the Town Attorney. This motion was seconded by Tom McCaleb and unanimously approved by the Commission.
d. Discussion - Possible Decision: Reinstatement of Subdivision Approval - Wood
Road - JOIF Limited Partnership
Patrice Carson reported
that a Title Searcher found the subdivision plan that was mislabeled in the
Town Clerk's office. The subdivision
should be reinstated. The Town Clerk
will revise the records so that, in the future, it will be easily located.
Michael Collins made a motion to authorize the Town
Planner to take any steps necessary to remove the Notice of Expiration of
Approval of Subdivision Plan for JOIF Limited Partnership's subdivision known
as "Whisper Woods II - Phase I" on Wood Road, application #366, on
file in the Somers land records. This
motion was seconded by Tom McCaleb and unanimously approved by the Commission.
e. Discussion
- Abandonment of Town Roads
The
abandonment of Old Hampden Road was discussed at a recent Selectmen's
meeting. It was stated at the meeting
that there is a federal law preventing the abandonment of a road that goes
between two states. There are no
approved building lots on Old Hampden Road at this time. Easements would be given to the property owners on Old Hampden Road so they
could access their properties. Both
property owners on Old Hampden Road object to the Town abandoning the road.
Patrice Carson said the Town can legally abandon any
road. It will not be known until the
June Town Meeting whether or not Old Hampden Road will be abandoned.
V. STAFF/COMMISSION REPORTS:
Both Merv Strauss and Patrice Carson stated that they have been busy with agenda items since the last Planning meeting.
VI. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:
Barbara Wilder, South Road was concerned to see Cooke
Road on the list of Town roads that possibly could be abandoned. She said there is a 15' wide easement on
this road and that (4) families use this road to access their properties. She said if the road is abandoned, the
easement would have to be maintained.
She feels Cooke Road is a private road.
VII. CORRESPONDENCE AND BILLS:
Patrice Carson mentioned several seminars that are available if any of the Commissioners are interested. Also, CRCOG's annual meeting will be held Wednesday, June 25, 2003.
VIII. MINUTES APPROVAL: April
24, 2003
These minutes can not be approved tonight as most of the members that were present at the 4/24/03 are absent.
IX. ADJOURNMENT:
Motion to adjourn was made by Tom McCaleb; seconded by Len Viera and unanimously approved by the Commission. The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully
submitted,
Leonard
Viera, Secretary
Connie
Carenzo, Recording Secretary
MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVAL AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING.