TOWN OF SOMERS
ZONING COMMISSION
P. O. Box 308
Somers, Connecticut 06071
ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES
1/20/04; 7:30 p.m.
Town Hall
I. CALL
TO ORDER:
Chairman
Peter Klein called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. Members present were:
Peter Klein; Robert Martin; Blinky Calder; Marie Burnette and Alternate
Jon Normand. Jon Normand was seated for
Lise Wood. Also present was Patrice
Carson, Town Planner.
II. MINUTES
APPROVAL: January 5, 2004
Jon
Normand made a motion to approve the January 5, 2004 minutes, as written. This motion was seconded by Blinky Calder
and unanimously approved by the Commission.
III. OLD
BUSINESS:
a. Discussion/Possible
Decision: Site Plan Application for
Installation & Service of Batteries, 16 Egypt Road, Power Resources Group
The
Fire Marshal has several issues with this application as well as the
Staff. The building that Power
Resources Group is planning to house their business does not have a Certificate
of Occupancy. A Site Plan Application
cannot be approved for a business in a building that does not have a
Certificate of Occupancy.
The Fire Marshal would like to know what type of
materials will be used to repair these batteries, how many they will store and
how long they will be stored in the building.
Also, the site plan for the current building is not as shown on the
original site plan.
Patrice has notified the applicant and the building
owner that a Site Plan Application cannot be approved until a Certificate of
Occupancy is issued for the building.
She said the Commission still has a few months before a decision has to
be made on this application.
Patrice suggested that we remove this review from
the agenda until a Certificate of Occupancy is issued for the building or until
an extension of time is required for the application.
The Planning Commission reviewed this application
and recommended its approval.
b. Proposed
Regulation Amendment: $10.00 Fee
Increase on All Zoning Applications to Cover Cost Required by the DEP
The
Commission had received the regulation amendment with all the new fees
listed. CRCOG has indicated that they
do not require this particular amendment to go to them for their approval. A canvass of area towns has shown that
Somers' fees are in the ballpark. These
towns will also be required to increase their fees in order to cover the
additional fees mandated by the DEP.
The fees should not be increased beyond what is needed to break even as
this will discourage citizens from applying for permits - especially for small
structures. A public hearing date needs
to be set.
Rob Martin made a motion to set a public hearing
date for March 1, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of approving a proposed
regulation amendment for increased fees because of the increase in fee mandated
by the DEP. This motion was seconded by
Marie Burnette and unanimously approved by the Commission.
c. Review Bylaws:
The
revised bylaws include a second audience participation item for agenda items
only. It was the consensus of the
Commission that this second agenda item should be reinstated into the bylaws.
Rob Martin made a motion to approve the inclusion of
a second Audience Participation agenda item to discuss agenda items only. This motion was seconded by Blinky Calder
and unanimously approved by the Commission.
IV. NEW
BUSINESS:
a. Other:
Peter
Klein received a letter from First Selectman David Pinney that urged members of
the Commission to attend a Freedom of Information (FOI) seminar conducted by
Thomas Hennick, Public Education Officer for FOI, about FOI policies and
procedures. This will be held in Town
Hall Auditorium on January 27, 2004 at 7:30 p.m.
Also, on March 17, 2004 at 7:00 p.m., the Historical
Society will hold a seminar on the importance of the Town preserving their
historical buildings. There are over
(100) buildings currently on the National Register.
The Plan of Conservation and Development meetings
have been held on the third Thursday of every month in the Auditorium from 7:00
to 9:00 p.m. There will be a Special
Public Information Hearing on Thursday, January 29, 2004 in the Auditorium at
7:00 p.m. on the subject of Development and Infrastructure. This meeting will be well publicized to
encourage the public to attend.
V. STAFF/COMMISSIONER
REPORTS:
Peter
Klein reviewed Zoning Enforcement Officer Jim Taylor's report on zoning
enforcement issues from 1/4/04 through 1/11/04. A copy of this report is attached to the minutes.
VI. AUDIENCE
COMMENTS:
First
Selectman David Pinney said he had several comments and issues to present to the
Commission:
1. He
was pleased that the second Audience Participation item was reinstated into the
agenda.
2. He
would like to put together a more focused program for the possible development
of the Mill complex and other improvements in Somersville. He suggested an Ad Hoc type group from both
the Planning and Zoning Commissions to discuss development options. He asked for volunteers to be part of such a
group - which should become operational as soon as possible.
3. The
people involved with updating the present Plan of Conservation and Development
are working very hard. The Selectmen
would like to see what can be done to promote high level visibility for the
whole project and try to get the public involved.
Volunteers from the Zoning, Planning, and Economic
Development Commissions should meet with the Selectmen to come up with
suggestions as to what kind of progress reports can be issued to the public or
what type of challenging questions should be asked of the public in order to
bring about the public interest in the subjects discussed at these POCD
meetings. What can be done to pique the
interest and participation of the general public in the meetings that will
decide the future development of their town.
The Selectmen are interested in pulling together
members of boards and commissions that are interested in these same
issues. The sooner this group can come
together and begin working out solutions to the problem of public apathy, the
better it will be for the POCD meetings.
Jon Normand, Bob Martin, Blinky Calder and Peter
Klein all said they would be willing to be part of such an Ad Hoc group.
VII. CORRESPONDENCE
AND BILLS:
Patrice
Carson said she had passed in her proposed schedule of seminars and workshops
for 2004 to the Selectmen for their review.
She reviewed each meeting with the Commission.
A letter of appreciation was sent to George
Sulikowski for his many years of service on the Zoning Commission.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT:
Rob
Martin made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Marie Burnette and unanimously
approved by the Commission. The meeting
adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully
submitted,
A.
P. Calder, Secretary
Connie
Carenzo, Recording Secretary
Town of Somers Zoning Enforcement Officer
For the Zoning Commission Meeting of January 20, 2004
Covering
the Weeks of 1/4/04 thru 1/11/04
Activities listed by Address
Zoning Permits issued ------5 Certificates of Occupancy issued----5
Enforcement activity:
1. 34 Egypt Rd. D Birkenshaw, Placement of sign with out a permit and placement of sign on property not related to subject
businesses.
2. 612 Main St. Rockville Bank. Display of banner in violation of section 214-58.7. Requested compliance
3. 237 Mountain View Rd. D. Butler II. Placement of non-permitted trailer in violation of section 214-92.C. Requested compliance.
4. 180 Battle St. K, Lloyd. Placement of non-permitted trailer in violation of section 214-92.C. Requested compliance.
5, 169 Main St. X-Tra Mart. Fence in disrepair. Failure to comply with site plan requirements. Requested compliance.
The company has agreed to replace the fence when weather permits.
6. 48 South Rd. Atty. B. Kumiega. 214-58.5 Portable Sign. Violation eliminated
7. 48 South Rd. Glass Castle. 214-58.5 Portable Sign. Violation eliminated.
8. 419 Main St. D. Nitch. Storage of unregistered vehicles, Improper storage of Recreational Vehicle
and storage of Junk Material. Issued C & D Order. Violation Eliminated.
NOTE:: Attached to the chairman’s copy of this report are copies of the 5 signed zoning permits and 5 C.O.’s
Respectfully submitted:
Jim Taylor, ZEO