TOWN OF SOMERS
ZONING
COMMISSION
P. O. Box 308
Somers,
Connecticut 06071
Zoning
Minutes
11/17/03;
7:00 p.m.
Town Hall
I. PUBLIC HEARING:
a. Special Use Permit Application for
Trailer for Portable Classroom, 32 Field Road, NETTS
Chairman
Peter Klein called the public hearing to order at 7:00 p.m. Secretary Marie Burnette read the legal
notice and left the meeting directly thereafter. Alternate Roy Slater was seated in her place.
Jack O'Brien, representing New England Tractor
Trailer School (NETTS), said the portable trailer was used to handle the
overflow of students from the school.
The trailer is 45' x 8' and is located within the allowed setbacks. The trailer has electricity, heat, air
conditioning but no water and sewer connections.
Town Planner Patrice Carson read the following
motion from the Planning Commission minutes of 11/6/03:
"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."
Patrice Carson further stated that the DEP is going
to be implementing aquifer protection regulations. If NETTS is considering putting up a permanent structure, it
should be done within the next six months or a year at the most before these
new regulations go into effect. This
new policy might seriously impact development in the Field Road area.
George Sulikowski made a motion to close the public
hearing; seconded by Lise Wood and unanimously approved by the Commission. The public hearing ended at 7:08 p.m.
II. CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman
Peter Klein called the regular meeting to order at 7:09. Members present were: Peter Klein; Lise Wood; George Sulikowski;
Robert Martin; Alternates Roy Slater and Jill Conklin. Alternate Roy Slater was seated for Marie
Burnette. Also present were Town
Planner Patrice Carson and Zoning Enforcement Officer Jim Taylor.
III. MINUTES APPROVAL: October
20, 2003
There
was a lengthy discussion about having the ZEO Jim Taylor at all Zoning
meetings. Peter Klein asked that Jim
review the agenda prior to the next Zoning meeting to determine whether or not
he should be present.
Roy Slater made a motion to approve the October 20,
2003 minutes, as written. This motion
was seconded by Lise Wood and unanimously approved by the Commission.
IV. OLD BUSINESS:
a. Discussion/Possible Decision: Special Use Permit Application for Trailer
for Portable Classroom, 32 Field Road, NETTS
Lise
Wood stated she feels the Special Use Permit should be approved for one year
with 11/17/03 as the starting date. Roy
Slater agreed. The Commission also felt
that NETTS should seriously look at putting up a permanent structure to house
student overflow.
Patrice Carson again mentioned the aquifer
protection zone that is being proposed by the DEP. Any development in this zone will be looked at very carefully by
the DEP as to how this development might affect the wellhead located on Field
Road. This is the only industrial area
in Somers that will be affected by this new DEP regulation.
Rob Martin made a motion to approve the Special Use
Permit Application for a trailer used as a portable classroom at 32 Field Road,
NETTS for a period of one year beginning 11/17/03. This motion was seconded by Lise Wood and unanimously approved by
the Commission.
b. Discussion/Possible Decision: Site Plan Application for Rental Storage,
251 Field Road, Smyth
Mike
Mocko, site plan engineer for the applicant, presented a new site plan for the
project. All of Merv Strauss' concerns
have been satisfied. Mike explained
that the infiltrator system is located under the concrete apron and if a
failure occurs -which is very unlikely- it would be easier to abandon the
defective infiltrator and put another one in as there is plenty of space
available.
There is an existing storm drainage system on Field
Road and a buffer strip to provide screening for the residential area. Mike pointed out property also owned by
Smyth that has not been developed.
Lighting is pointed down at about a 30 degree angle. Jim Taylor said the lighting appears to be
adequate.
Jim Taylor said that if the residential area is
developed, then the screening should be extended about 396'. Mike said he could put a note on the drawing
to that effect but possibly it would be easier for the applicant to plant
seedlings along the entire length of the property. These would grow to be a proper screening within two to four
years. He agreed to amend the site plan
to continue the planting with seedlings for the entire length of the industrial
property in case the residential area is developed in the future.
Roy Slater made a motion to approve this Site Plan
Application with the condition that the site plan be revised to show that the
entire length of the industrial property is planted with seedlings. Rob Martin seconded this motion that was
unanimously approved by the Commission.
V. NEW BUSINESS:
a. Discussion: Political Signs
Peter
Klein said a few people contacted him about the size of the political signs and
the fact that some were put up (60) days before the election - which is the
maximum time allowed by the Zoning Regulations. These signs are supposed to be removed within (5) days of the
election and some were not.
There was some discussion about lowering the time
frame to (45) days maximum before an election.
Jim Taylor talked about his background with
political signs. He said the Commission
needs to be careful about placing restrictions on these signs. A blanket permit is issued for each
political party.
Roy Slater asked Patrice Carson to check surrounding
towns to find out what their regulations state about restrictions on political
signs.
VI. STAFF/COMMISSION REPORTS:
The
Commission reviewed ZEO Jim Taylor's report for the period from 10/19/03
through 11/9/03, a copy of which is attached to the minutes.
George Sulikowski stated that he feels that Jim
Taylor is a part of the Zoning Commission and should be in attendance at all
Commission meetings.
Rob Martin said the problem is budgetary - Jim now
is allowed (12) hours a week - it used to be (8) hours a week.
Peter Klein said Jim is needed in Town Hall to
handle day to day problems.
Lise Wood suggested that Jim Taylor review the
meeting agenda and decide whether or not he should be present at the next
Zoning meeting.
Peter Klein said that in the past, the Selectmen
have stated that Jim Taylor was not available in Town Hall on a regular day to
day basis because he was at night meetings.
Roy Slater said he would like to see Jim's hours
increased to the point where he can handle both the daily activities at Town
Hall and the Zoning meetings. He feels
that Jim should be at the Zoning meetings.
Roy said (4) more hours a week - bringing the time up to (16) hours -
should be enough time to allow Jim to attend Zoning meetings and handle his
daily responsibilities at Town Hall.
Peter Klein said he will discuss this matter with
the new First Selectman, David Pinney.
VII. AUDIENCE COMMENTS: There
were none.
VIII. CORRESPONDENCE AND BILLS: There
were none.
IX. ADJOURNMENT:
Motion
to adjourn made by Lise Wood; seconded by Rob Martin and unanimously approved
by the Commission. The meeting
adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully
submitted,
Marie
Burnette, Secretary
Connie
Carenzo, Recording Secretary
Town of Somers Zoning Enforcement Officer
For the Zoning Commission Meeting of November 17, 2003
Covering the Weeks
of 10/19/03 Thru 11/9/03
Activities listed by Address
Zoning Permits issued ------15 Certificates of Occupancy issued----9
Enforcement activity:
1, 29 Gulf Rd. N. Kasper, Storage of junk material. Approximately 80% compliance. Will follow-up
2. 19 Brae Burn Drive, T. McManus One horse in excess of what is permitted on the property, Violation eliminated.
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. Main Gate in place. Animal Shelters in compliance.
4 67 Springfield Rd., Hicks. Storage of Large Truck. Violation Eliminated.
5. 32 Field Rd. NETTS, Placement of trailer w/o Zoning permit, Requested Compliance. Zoning Application pending.
6.7 Hall Hill Rd. Hall Hill Gardens, Outdoor lighting. Requested compliance by CL&P. CL&P waiting for Shields to install on light. Should be complete first week in December according to CL&P.
7. 18 Field Rd, Town of Somers, Outdoor Lighting, Requested compliance by CL&P, CL&P waiting for Shields to install on light. Should be complete first week in December according to CL&P.
8. 367 Hall Hill Rd., Leaska. Placement of Const. Trailer w/o permit. Violation Eliminated.
NOTE:: Attached to the chairman’s copy of this report are copies of the 15 signed zoning permits and 9 C.O.’s
Respectfully submitted:
Jim Taylor, ZEO