TOWN OF SOMERS

ZONING COMMISSION

P. O. Box 308

Somers, Connecticut 06071

 

ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES

5/19/03; 7:30 p.m.

Town Hall

 

I.          CALL TO ORDER:

 

            Chairman Peter Klein called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m.  Members present were:  Peter Klein; Lise Wood; George Sulikowski; Marie Burnette (7:37) and Alternates Roy Slater and Jill Conklin.  Jill Conklin was seated for Rob Martin.  Also present was Town Planner, Patrice Carson.

 

II.        MINUTES APPROVAL:       May 5, 2003

 

            Two typographical errors were corrected:  Page 1, fourth paragraph, 3rd line, change "hous" to "hours".  Page 4; second paragraph, first word - change "Ray" to "Roy".

 

Lise Wood made a motion to approve the 5/5/03 minutes, as amended.  This motion was seconded by Peter Klein and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

III.       OLD BUSINESS:

            a.         Withdrawal of Site Plan Application for Meeting House with Lockerrooms & Showers, 359 Mountain Road, Roulier

 

            Patrice Carson received a letter from Dan Roulier requesting that his Site Plan Application for a Meeting House and his proposed application for Chester House at Worthington Pond Farm be withdrawn at the present time.  Lise Wood made a motion to accept this withdrawal; seconded by George Sulikowski and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

IV.       NEW BUSINESS:

 

            Patrice Carson reported that out of the (5) gravel bank renewals, only (2) have submitted full applications.  The others are still missing updated plans.  These (2) full applications can be accepted by the Commission.  The gravel bank inspections by Jim Taylor, ZEO, and Merv Strauss, Town Consulting Engineer, have not been done yet.

 

            a.         Special Use Permit Application for Gravel Bank, Egypt Road, Charter

 

            Mr. Charter could not be at this meeting.  He told Patrice Carson that he thinks he has a little more open gravel bank area (over 3 acres) than the regulations require.  He will discuss his open area with Merv Strauss and Jim Taylor when they do their inspection and will do what is necessary to comply with the regulations.  He has a  $35,200 bond amount in place and has paid his fee.

 

Lise Wood made a motion to accept the Special Use Permit Application for gravel bank renewal on Egypt Road (Charter) and refer it to the Planning Commission for their recommendation.  This motion was seconded by Marie Burnette and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

            b.         Special Use Permit Application for Gravel Bank, South Road, Pleasant View Farms Realty

 

            The application and fee has been received.  He has a $39,000 bond amount in place.  The current plans were presented to the Commission.  The working pit is not very large and there was very little gravel removal during the past year.  The Commission will have to review the plan again after Merv Strauss and Jim Taylor make their inspection.

 

Marie Burnette made a motion to accept the Special Use Permit Application for renewal of a gravel bank on South Road, Pleasant View Farms Realty.  This motion was seconded by George Sulikowski and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

George Sulikowski made a motion to add the following item to the agenda; seconded by Lise Wood and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

            c.         Site Plan Application:  Warehouse Space Rental, 251 Field Road, Smyth

 

                        Bob Smyth presented a site plan to the Commission that shows a new building for warehouse space rental behind his existing building.  He recently went through a reconfiguration of land where he acquired this additional property.  This piece of land is also industrially zoned.  The existing road will be used to access this back property.  The building will be a 45' x 100' steel warehouse structure.  Part of this building will be visible from Field Road.  Bob Smyth's property abuts industrially zoned land.  Lighting on the building will be minor - if anything.  Construction plans for the building were reviewed.  Patrice Carson presented the reconfiguration plan to the Commission.  The building will be 20' offset from the property line.  The parking area will be minimal.

 

Lise Wood made a motion to accept this Site Plan Application and refer it to the Planning Commission for their recommendation.  Jill Conklin seconded the motion which was unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

V.         STAFF/COMMISSIONER REPORTS:

 

            Chairman Klein reviewed Zoning Enforcement Officer Jim Taylor's report to the Commission for the time period of 5/5/03 through 5/11/03.  This report is attached to the minutes.

 

Patrice Carson passed out two papers to the Commissioners - one on the definition of LLC and the other on the DRAM law.

 

VI.       AUDIENCE COMMENTS:

 

            Ken Prior, 364 Mountain Road  highlighted some issues that he still has with Worthington Pond Farm.  He said the existing buildings on Worthington Pond Farm are not permitted for public access.  He said that Dan Roulier would have to re-apply for permits if he wants to allow the public into these buildings.  He quoted conflicting statements that Dan Roulier made on future plans for this property.  Mr. Prior feels it is time for the Town to withdraw the Special Use Permit that Dan Roulier has for Worthington Pond.

 

VII.      CORRESPONDENCE AND BILLS:

 

            Bills:

 

            Portion of copier maintenance charged to Zoning             $56.25

            Office Supplies                                                                          $103.00

            New Zoning Map Expenses                                                       $675.00

 

            Patrice Carson showed the new Zoning map to the Commission.  The different zones have been color-coded.  It is planned to sell these maps to the public in both the large and small sizes.  The selling price for these maps has not yet been established.

 

Roy Slater asked if this map would be going on-line.  Patrice Carson said if Zoning is going to sell these maps to recoup some of the expenses, it probably would not be wise to put the map on the Internet.

 

It was the consensus of the Commission that a list of the proposed changes to the Zoning Regulations should be supplied as these changes will be included in the public hearing to be scheduled for the gravel bank renewals.

 

Lise Wood made a motion to pay the bills; seconded by Jill Conklin and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

Correspondence:

 

A letter was received from Marion Richard, 372 Mountain Road, with a list of complaints she had about the development going on at Worthington Pond Farm.  She is in favor of having the Special Use Permit rescinded.

 

Lise Wood asked what the Zoning Commission is going to do about the complaints received from citizens that live near Worthington Pond.

 

Peter Klein said a legal opinion may be needed.

 

Roy Slater felt that Worthington Pond should be an agenda item.  Zoning should only be concerned with the Special Use Permit and whether or not this permit has been violated.  He is only supposed to have (80) parking spaces.  The minutes - and possibly the transcript- of the public hearing should be reviewed.  The Staff will have to investigate.  There are definitely more parking spaces now than when Zoning approved the permit.  Is this an expansion that needs another Special Use Permit?

 

If catered food is served on the premises, a Temporary Food Service Permit would be required - which is only good for (14) days.  Dan Roulier has withdrawn his permit application for a Meeting House, as well as canceling his proposed Chester House building.  Mr. Roulier should meet with the Staff - specifically the ZEO - to find out what his current and future plans will be for Worthington Pond.  Right now, there are no permits for additional structures.  Hiking trails, badminton, and bocchi courts go along with the Special Use Permit he has for outdoor activities.

 

George Sulikowski suggested that all the Commissioners visit Worthington Pond - one at a time - and talk to Dan Roulier and observe what is currently going on at the site.

 

VIII.    ADJOURNMENT:

 

            Motion to adjourn made by Lise Wood; seconded by George Sulikowski and unanimously approved by the Commission.  The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

 

                                                            Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

                                                            Marie Burnette, Secretary

 

                                                            Connie Carenzo, Recording Secretary

 

 

MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVAL AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING.

 

 

Town of Somers Zoning Enforcement Officer

For the Zoning Commission Meeting of  May 19,  2003

Covering the Weeks of   5/5/03  Thru 5/11/03

Activities listed by Address

 

 

 

Zoning Permits issued ------15

Certificates of Occupancy issued----5

 

Enforcement activity:

 

1. 24 Hall Hill Rd., S. Meyer. Requested that dead trees in northerly screening be replaced.

 

2. 48 South Rd. Southfield Corner, Outdoor Lighting.C&D Order was issued on April 21, 2003. No response as of May 15, 2003.

 

  1. 67 Pine Knob Rd., Storage of Junk Vehicle. Violation eliminated as of  May 6, 2003.

 

  1. 120 Main St., Storage of Junk Vehicle. Violation eliminated as of May 6, 2003.

 

  1. 48 South Rd, B. Kumiega  portable sign. Violation Eliminated as of May 6, 2003.

 

  1. 24 Haas Rd., Non-permitted business continuing to operate. Referred C&D file to Town Attorney for injunctive action. Atty. has not responded before this report was prepared.

 

7. Worthington Pond. Met with Dan Roulier on May 13, 2003 and inspected the property. There are four small Utility buildings/Animal Shelters that require Zoning Permits. Two other very small portable tool sheds will not require Zoning Permits. .Dan Roulier has agreed to obtain the four subject permits and to also install a new Main Gate at the entrance to the property.

 

Note: Attached to the chairman’s copy of this report are copies of the 15 signed zoning permits and 5  C.O.’s

 

Respectfully submitted:

 

 

Jim Taylor, ZEO