TOWN OF SOMERS

ZONING COMMISSION

P. O. Box 308

Somers, Connecticut 06071

 

ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES

1/5/04 - 7:30 p.m.

Town Hall

 

I.          CALL TO ORDER:

 

            Chairman Peter Klein called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.  Members present were:  Peter Klein; Robert Martin; Marie Burnette and Blinky Calder.  Alternate members Jill Conklin; Roy Slater and Jon Normand were also present.  Jill Conklin was seated for Lise Wood.  Also in attendance was Patrice Carson, Town Planner.

 

II.            MINUTES APPROVAL:            November 17, 2003

 

            An addition was made on Page 3 under Staff/Commission Reports, 6th paragraph:  Add after "basis", "because he was at night meetings."

 

Rob Martin made a motion to approve the 11/17/03 minutes, as amended.  This motion was seconded by Marie Burnette and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

III.       OLD BUSINESS:

            a.            Discussion:  Political Signs

 

            A discussion was held on the length and size of political signs and the length of time they were allowed to be posted.  Patrice Carson gave a comparison of what has been allowed in surrounding towns and does not see a problem with what the Town of Somers has in place currently.  The Town allows signs to be put up sixty days before an election and they must be removed five days after the election.  The size does not appear to be relevant.  It is a freedom of speech issue.   The only change the Commission might consider would be to shorten the time that these signs are allowed to be up.  The Commission decided to leave the sign regulations, as written.

 

IV.       NEW BUSINESS:

            a.            Application for Renewal of Special Use Permit for Flea Markets & Auctions, 430 South Road, Pleasant View Farms Realty

 

            The applicant, Jeff Liption, is asking for his annual renewal of this Special Use Permit.  Special Use Permit applications usually require a public hearing; however, the Commission can waive this requirement.  The permit would be for flea markets, auctions, and music festivals from 1/1/04 through 12/31/04.  The applicant must notify Jim Taylor, Zoning Enforcement Officer, at least forty-five days before a scheduled event and Jim will investigate from a zoning perspective.  No problems have ever been reported concerning these events.

 

Marie Burnette made a motion to accept this application , waive the public hearing and approve this Special Use Permit from 1/1/04 through 12/31/04.  This motion was seconded by Rob Martin and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

            b.            Site Plan Application for Installation & Service of Batteries, 16 Egypt Road,             Power Resources Group

 

            The owner of this business said he plans on renting a unit in Barnes' Industrial Complex.  Basically, his company installs industrial batteries and removes the burnt-out batteries from the site.  He deals mostly with car-size batteries and most of these have gel cells.  The old batteries are recycled and his company sells them to a recycling dealer.  This is not a hazardous business and the owner complies with all the rules and regulations.  There are no floor drains in his unit.

 

The Fire Marshal reviews the permit and signs off on the Certificate of Occupancy.

 

Rob Martin made a motion to accept the Site Plan Application for installation and service of batteries at 16 Egypt Road and refer it to the Planning Commission for their recommendation.  This motion was seconded by Marie Burnette and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

            c.            Proposed Regulation Amendment:  $10.00 Fee Increase on all Zoning Applications to Cover Cost Required by the DEP

 

            Patrice explained that in the past, the DEP required that all Zoning permits have a $10.00 fee - $9.00 going to the State and $1.00 to the Town on a quarterly basis.  Now the DEP is requiring an additional $10.00 - so in the future the State will receive $19.00 per zoning  permit and the Town will still retain $1.00.  All fees will change - zoning permits, site plan applications, ZBA applications etc. and will require a public hearing for approval.

 

Patrice will create a table showing the new fees and will canvass surrounding towns to see what their fee schedule is - as opposed to Somers.  This amendment will also have to be reviewed by CRCOG and the Planning Commission.

 

Jill Conklin made a motion to accept this proposed regulation amendment and forward it on to CRCOG and the Planning Commission for their recommendations.  Marie Burnette seconded the motion which was unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

            d.            Review Bylaws:

 

            Patrice said she will supply the two new members with copies of the Bylaws as well as supplying the wording for a proposed change that would allow a second Audience Comments category on the agenda.  She will also check with the Town Attorney to be sure the Bylaws are conforming in the recording section.

 

            e.            Election of Officers:

 

            Rob Martin made a motion to nominate Peter Klein for Chairman; seconded by Marie Burnette and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

Marie Burnette made a motion to nominate Rob Martin for Vice-Chairman; seconded by Anita (Blinky) Calder and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

Marie Burnette made a motion to nominate Anita (Blinky) Calder as Secretary; seconded by Rob Martin and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

            f.            2004/2005 Budget

 

            Patrice Carson reviewed the draft of the 2004-2005 budget with the Commission - going through each item individually.  After a brief discussion, Rob Martin made a motion to approve the 2004-2005 budget, as presented and forward it on to the Town Treasurer.  This motion was seconded by Jill Conklin and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

            g.            Other:

 

            Patrice Carson checked with the Town Attorney who stated that all new regulations and regulation changes should become effective the day after newspaper publication.

 

When a public hearing is scheduled for other items, a regulation change reflecting this statement should be included in that public hearing.

 

V.            STAFF/COMMISSIONER REPORTS:

 

            Chairman Peter Klein reviewed ZEO Jim Taylor's report with the Commission.  A copy of this report is attached to the minutes.

 

Roy Slater suggested that a letter is sent to George Sulikowski thanking him for his many years of service on the Zoning Commission.  Patrice Carson will write this letter for the Commissioner's approval.

 

VI.            AUDIENCE COMMENTS:           There were none.

 

VII.            CORRESPONDENCE AND BILLS:

 

            Two bills from the Journal Inquirer for public hearing and meeting of 11/17/03; one for $141.66 and the other for $55.09.  Marie Burnette made a motion to pay the bills; seconded by Jill Conklin and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

A letter was received from a Hartford law firm stating that Brophy-Ahern has withdrawn their final lawsuit against the Town of Somers regarding the Somersville Mill at 40 Maple Street.  There will now be no lawsuit as a barrier to the sale or development of the Mill.

 

VIII.            ADJOURNMENT:

 

            Motion to adjourn was made by Marie Burnette; seconded by Blinky Calder and unanimously approved by the Commission.  The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

 

                                                            Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

                                                            Marie Burnette, Secretary

 

                                                            Connie Carenzo, Recording Secretary

 

 

Town of Somers Zoning Enforcement Officer

For the Zoning Commission Meeting of  January 5, 2004

Covering the Weeks of   11/16/03  Thru 12/28/03

Activities listed by Address

 

Zoning Permits issued ------16           Certificates of Occupancy issued----15

 

Enforcement activity:

 

 1,   29 Gulf Rd. N. Kasper, Storage of junk material. Violation Eliminated   

 

2. 32 Field Rd. NETTS, Placement of trailer w/o Zoning permit, Violation Eliminated

 

3.7 Hall Hill Rd. Hall Hill Gardens, Outdoor  lighting. Requested compliance by CL&P. CL&P waiting for Shields to be

    installed on light. Should be complete first week in December according to CL&P. Shield has been installed.

 

4. 18 Field Rd, Town of Somers, Outdoor Lighting, Requested compliance by CL&P, CL&P waiting for Shields to be

     installed on light. Should be complete first week in December according to CL&P. Shields have been installed.

 

5, 169 Main St. X-Tra Mart. Fence in disrepair. Failure to comply with site plan requirements. Requested compliance.

 

 6. 48 South Rd. Atty. B. Kumiega. 214-58.5 Portable Sign. Requested Compliance. 

 

 7. 48 South Rd. Glass Castle. 214-58.5 Portable Sign. Requested Compliance.

 

 8. 419 Main St. D. Nitch. Storage of unregistered vehicles, Improper storage of Recreational Vehicle

     and storage of Junk Material. Issued C & D Order.     

 

NOTE:: Attached to the chairman’s copy of this report are copies of the 16 signed zoning permits and 15  C.O.’s

 

Respectfully submitted:

 

 

 

Jim Taylor, ZEO