TOWN OF SOMERS

PLANNING COMMISSION

P. O. Box 308

Somers, Connecticut 06071

 

PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES

11/6/03; 7:00 p.m.

Town Hall

 

I.       CALL TO ORDER:

 

         Chairman Karl Walton called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.  Members present were:  Karl Walton; Len Viera; Brad Pellissier; Cliff Bordeaux.  Prospective Alternate Greg Genlot also attended.  Merv Strauss, Town Consulting Engineer and Patrice Carson, Town Planner were also present.

 

II.      AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:       There was none.

 

III.     OLD BUSINESS:

 

         Len Viera made a motion to move New Business ahead of Old Business; seconded by Brad Pellissier and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

IV.     NEW BUSINESS:

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

 

         Mike Mocko, Environmental Analyst for the applicant, presented a revised plan to the Commission for their review.  This plan provides additional parking in a level parking lot; also, additional drainage to two infiltrator catch basins.  Roof drainage for the new metal building has also been resolved.  The roof water for the existing building goes into the ground.  There is a retaining wall in the back of the building.  Details for lighting are shown on the plan.  The list of proposed plantings is also shown on the drawing.

 

Len Viera asked if there is residential property adjacent to the site.  Mike said there are houses, but the area is zoned industrial.  However, the screening is adequate for privacy.  Bob Smyth intends to use this new building for storage of his own equipment as well as renting part of it to Conval for their equipment storage.

 

Merv Strauss asked about the cement blocks.  Mike said the area is well drained with a stone base.  A concrete apron will be in the front of the building.  Merv asked why the infiltrators were below the concrete apron.  Mike Mocko said if a failure occurs, it would be easier to abandon the defective infiltrator and put another one in.  There is plenty of space.

 

There was a discussion about the lighting.  The lights are pointed down and should not be a problem for the residential properties - also the screening will help.

 

Patrice Carson said all of her concerns have been satisfied.

 

Brad Pellissier made a motion to recommend to the Zoning Commission approval of the new plan contingent on the comments in Merv Strauss' letter of October 30, 2003 being satisfactorily addressed.  The Commission feels this is a positive industrial use of the property.  This motion was seconded by Len Viera and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

         b.       Zoning Referral:  Special Use Permit Application for Trailer for Portable Classroom, 32 Field Road, NETTS

 

         No one was at this meeting to represent NETTS.  Town Planner Patrice Carson stated that the applicant is seeking a Special Use Permit for a trailer they have been using as a portable classroom for several months.

 

Zoning regulations allow trailers to be used temporarily on a property for a period of one year - renewable for a second year.  After the maximum of two years, the trailer would have to be removed.  The Zoning Commission has set a public hearing date for this application for 11/17/03 at 7:00 p.m.  A one-year renewal for this temporary use would require an additional public hearing.

 

At the 10/20/03 Zoning meeting, Jack O'Brien, representing NETTS, stated that this trailer was being used as a portable classroom for the overflow of students at the tractor/trailer training school.  There is heat, electricity and air conditioning in this trailer; however, it is not hooked up to water or a septic system.  The trailer location meets the required setbacks.

 

Members of the Commission were concerned that NETTS might want to keep this trailer permanently to handle the student overflow and wanted to be sure that NETTS is informed that the use of the trailer will only be allowed as a temporary measure to handle student overflow.  Jack O'Brien had indicated that there is room on NETTS property to construct another building to house students - if more permanent classroom space becomes necessary.

 

Brad Pellissier made a motion to recommend approval to the Zoning Commission of this Special Use Permit for a one-year period only - retroactive to the date of the installation of the trailer on NETTS property. While the Planning Commission is glad that NETTS business is doing so well in town,  the Commission is concerned about the temporary nature of this structure and would like to see its prompt removal and an application for a new permanent structure to house students put in its place.  Also, verification of when this trailer was purchased or leased should be obtained from NETTS in order to pinpoint the date of installation on the property.  This motion was seconded by Len Viera and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

         c.       Discussion/Possible Decision:  Discontinuance of Roads in Town of Somers

 

         Town Planner Patrice Carson said she has met with Public Works and has put together a list of town roads that may or may not be abandoned.  The appropriate term is "discontinue" rather than abandon.  When a road is discontinued, it is split down the middle and becomes the private property of the abutter on either side of the former town road and easements are given to property owners to continue to pass over the "road".  This can become a very costly endeavor if the town continues to own these roads.

 

Old Hampden Road:

 

There is one house belonging to the Larabee family.  There are no approved subdivision lots on the remainder of the road.  There are seven property owners on this road.  If someone has a lot of record, they would be eligible for a variance to build a house.

 

King Road Extension:

 

This is basically a private driveway with one house at the end of it.  If it is discontinued, the property owner would have to maintain it.

 

Upper Old Scully Road - beyond the Kertenis property.  It could still be used as a hiking trail.

 

Bailey Lane and Eleanor Road - the road that runs between Bailey Lane and Eleanor Road should be discontinued.

 

Green Road - near Pioneer Heights is already gated and should be formally discontinued.

 

Ninth District and Billings Road in between Starr Road is already gated and should be formally discontinued.

 

Cooley Road that runs from Rte 83 to Stebbins Road should be discontinued.

 

Ford Road - the road between Springfield Road and Hampden Road should be discontinued.

 

Cooke Road - off Rosehaven and across the street from Alganet Rd. should be discontinued.

 

A public hearing will be required to formally discontinue these roads.

 

Cliff Bordeaux made a motion to recommend to the Board of Selectmen that the listed roads be discontinued.  This motion was seconded by Brad Pellissier and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

         d.       Review/Adopt Meeting Dates - 2004

 

         The Commission reviewed the proposed meeting dates for 2004.  Brad Pellissier made a motion to adopt the 2004 meeting dates, as presented.  This motion was seconded by Len Viera and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

The Commission returned to Item III, Old Business.

 

III.     OLD BUSINESS:

         a.       Discussion:  Plan of Conservation & Development

 

         Town Planner Patrice Carson asked for suggestions as to how to encourage citizen's attendance at the Plan of Conservation & Development meetings.  She knows that quite a few people watch the meetings on television.  Patrice has a list of at least thirty people who have asked to be notified when these meetings are held - but very few actually attend.  The last meeting was well publicized in the newspapers and with posters all over town but still very few people actually attended the meeting.

 

Selectman Kathy Devlin suggested publishing a human interest type story in the local newspaper to lure the public into attending these meetings.

 

V.      STAFF/COMMISSIONER REPORTS:

 

         Merv Strauss said he has been working on acquiring town approval of subdivision roads - such as Hall Hill Estates; Bittersweet Hill; Miller Road and Isabella Lane.

 

Len Viera suggested changing the lighting in town to be more colonial in nature.  Patrice Carson suggested looking at enhancement grants that may be available from the State.

 

Patrice suggested using Merv Strauss' expertise to review transportation grants that may be available from the State such as the corridor study on Rte. 190.  It may be possible to improve some roads in the Somersville area.  The Commission was in agreement to have Merv assist Patrice with these grants.

 

Patrice reported that an investment company is seriously interested in the Somersville Mill and have asked for a second meeting next week - with the building inspector present - to review the options that are available.  This company has funds and investors available and has done this type of investment before.  It will be necessary to contact the DOT and CRCOG to see if the bridge project at the Mill can be prioritized.

 

Patrice has also been working with Planimetrics to use the GIS system to accommodate all layout plans.

 

There are several people interested in purchasing the Whittaker property; also the Pudim property on Hurlburt Road.  The appraisal of the Whittaker property should be available next week and the Town can decide if it should be an open space purchase.  The Pudim property could be 35 - 40 building lots or could be used for an ARH development.

 

Patrice reported that the conference in Hartford she attended had some great information regarding economic development and bringing into towns small store chains which may be agreeable to Somers residents.  She will be making a presentation to the Economic Development Commission in December.

 

VII.    CORRESPONDENCE AND BILLS:

 

         Planimetrics                                        $2,912.04

         Merv Strauss (7-1-03 thru 9-30-03)             $2,103.75

         Renewal - Planning Commission Journal        $72.00 (two years)

 

         Brad Pellissier made a motion to approve payment of the bills; seconded by Len Viera and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

Received a letter from Blaine Buck stating he is finished with Hillcrest Drive and would like his bond released.  This will be reviewed by Merv and Public Works.

 

There is a workshop on Friday, November 14, 2003 in Waterbury, CT on plans of conservation and development for a cost of $32.00, if anyone is interested in attending.

 

VIII.   MINUTES APPROVAL:      September 25, 2003

 

         Brad Pellissier made a motion to approve the September 25, 2003 minutes, as written.  This motion was seconded by Len Viera and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

IX.      ADJOURNMENT:

 

         Motion to adjourn made by Cliff Bordeaux; seconded by Brad Pellissier and unanimously approved by the Commission.  The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

 

                                             Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

                                             Leonard Viera, Secretary

 

                                             Connie Carenzo, Recording Secretary