TOWN OF SOMERS

ZONING COMMISSION

P. O. Box 308

Somers, Connecticut 06071

ZONING MEETING MINUTES

10/20/03; 7:30 p.m.

Town Hall

I. CALL TO ORDER:

Chairman Peter Klein called the meeting to order at 7:33 p.m. Members present were: Peter Klein; Lise Wood; George Sulikowski and Alternates Jill Conklin and Roy Slater. Jill Conklin was seated for Marie Burnette and Roy Slater was seated for Robert Martin. Also present was Town Planner, Patrice Carson.

II. MINUTES APPROVAL: July 21, 2003

Lise Wood made a motion to approve the July 21, 2003 minutes, as written. This motion was seconded by George Sulikowski and unanimously approved by the Commission.

III. OLD BUSINESS:

a. Other:

Lise Wood initiated a discussion concerning ZEO Jim Taylor's working hours. Although Jim's hours have been increased to (12) per week, this still doesn't allow enough time for him to attend every Zoning Commission meeting. It will remain that Jim will attend all public hearing meetings and regular meetings on an "as-needed" basis.

IV. NEW BUSINESS:

a. Site Plan Application for Rental Storage, 251 Field Road, Smyth

Bob Smyth presented a drawing to the Commission that showed the location of his existing building and that of his proposed additional building. The new building will be 50' away from the industrially zoned boundary and 450' away from the residential zone boundary.

Bob Smyth plans Type C screening and will use retaining walls because of the different grades. He also pointed out the proposed lighting fixtures. He proposes a steel building, 110' x 45' x 26' high to be used for rental storage. There will be roll-up doors and one loading dock. He already has Conval as a future customer. Parking spaces are shown on the plans. Initially, he plans to use an existing gravel driveway but may pave it in the future. Provisions for drainage have been made.

There will be heat and electricity in the building. Bob Smyth has also left enough empty space for a septic system, if needed - and the Sanitarian, Steve Jacobs, has approved the location. The new building is not visible from the road.

The Zoning Commissioners asked that Bob Smyth supply a rendering of the new building for the Commission to review.

Lise Wood made a motion to accept this site plan application and refer it to the Planning Commission for their recommendation. This motion was seconded by Roy Slater and unanimously approved by the Commission.

The next Planning meeting is November 6, 2003.

b. Special Use Permit Application for Trailer for Portable Classroom, 32 Field Road, Netts

Jack O'Brien, representing NETTS, said this trailer has been used as a portable classroom for the overflow of students at the tractor/trailer school for some time. The Fire Marshal noticed it and realized that the trailer should have a Special Use Permit - which is only good for (1) year and renewable for (1) additional year only. There is heat, electricity and air conditioning in this trailer.

The trailer is located 75' from the front of the property; 50' from the rear and 175' from the side. There is room on the property for an additional permanent building to be built, if needed.

A Special Use Permit requires a public hearing.

Lise Wood made a motion to accept this Special Use Permit Application and to forward it to the Planning Commission for their recommendation and to schedule a public hearing on this application for November 17, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. This motion was seconded by Roy Slater and unanimously approved by the Commission.

c. Other:

A motion was made by Lise Wood and seconded by Roy Slater to add the following item to the agenda; unanimously approved by the Commission.

Approval of 2004 Zoning Commission Monthly Meeting Dates:

The Commission reviewed the draft of the proposed Zoning Commission meeting dates for 2004. Lise Wood made a motion to approve the 2004 meeting dates as presented and forward them on to the Town Clerk. Roy Slater seconded the motion which was unanimously approved by the Commission.

V. STAFF/COMMISSIONER REPORTS:

The Commission reviewed Jim Taylor's ZEO report which covers zoning issues from 7/27/03 up until 10/12/03. A copy of this report is attached to the minutes.

Lise Wood asked if it was necessary to attach a copy of every one of the Zoning permits that Jim Taylor signed during a certain time period - it adds up to quite a bit of paper. Peter Klein feels that this is a means of documentating the volume of work that is done by the ZEO.

Patrice Carson said there will be a public information meeting for the Plan of Conservation and Development on 10/28/03 at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Hall about different ways of conserving our natural resources, our historical buildings, farm land and open space.

Patrice also mentioned the concept of soil based zoning where the required size of a building lot could be determined by the type of soils.

VI. AUDIENCE COMMENTS:

Blaine Buck, 59 Juniper Hill Drive said he feels it isn't fair to limit the number of lots to be developed on a piece of property by using soil based zoning.

Mr. Buck verified that a Special Use Permit stays with the property. He said he would like copies of the court cases concerning Special Use Permits.

VII. CORRESPONDENCE AND BILLS: There were none.

VIII. ADJOURNMENT:

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

Respectfully submitted,

Marie Burnette, Secretary

Connie Carenzo, Recording Secretary

Town of Somers Zoning Enforcement Officer

For the Zoning Commission Meeting of October. 20, 2003

Covering the Weeks of 7/27/03 Thru 10/12/03

Activities listed by Address

Zoning Permits issued ------65 Certificates of Occupancy issued----37

Enforcement activity:

1, 29 Gulf Rd. N. Kasper, Storage of junk material. Issued C& D. Order

2. 19 Brae Burn Drive, T. McManus One horse in excess of what is permitted on the property, Requested Compliance. In process of compliance.

3. 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. Permits currently in the approval process. 7/16 Conservation approval pending. 8/24 Conservation approval still pending.

4. 7 Florida Road, Side Yard Set-Back violation and Failure to obtain zoning permit for accessory structure. Requested Compliance, Violation Eliminated.

5. 476 Pinney Rd., M. Gray, Improper disposal of stumps. Violation Eliminated.

6. 23 Field Rd. Peoples Auto, Storage of Vehicles in front of front property line. Requested Compliance. Violation Eliminated.

7. 255 Springfield Rd., F. Paluch, Storage of large truck. Violation Eliminated.

8 Egypt Rd. Four Town Auto Sales, Outdoor lighting. Requested compliance. Mr. Barnes agreed to compliance.

9. 32 Field Rd. NETTS, Placement of trailer w/o Zoning permit, Requested Compliance. In application process.

10. 626 Main St. Storage of Junk Vehicle. Violation Eliminated.

11.7 Hall Hill Rd. Hall Hill Gardens, Outdoor lighting. Requested compliance by CL&P. In process.

12. 18 Field Rd, Town of Somers, Outdoor Lighting, Requested compliance by CL&P, In process.

13. 367 Hall Hill Rd., Leaska. Placement of Const. Trailer w/o permit. Requeted compliance.

14 67 Springfield Rd. Hicks, Storage of large truck. Requested compliance.

15. Corner of Main St. & Highland View. R. E. Signs. Violation Eliminated.

NOTE:: Attached to the chairman’s copy of this report are copies of the 65 signed zoning permits and 37 C.O.’s

Respectfully submitted:

Jim Taylor, ZEO