TOWN OF SOMERS

PLANNING COMMISSION

P. O. Box 308

Somers, Connecticut 06071

 

PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES

2/26/04; 7:00 p.m.

Town Hall

 

I.          CALL TO ORDER:

 

            Chairman Karl Walton called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.  Members present were:  Karl Walton; Cliff Bordeaux; Mike Collins; Brad Pellissier and Alternates Georgeanne Kuzman; Greg Genlot; and Joe Iadarola.  Georgeanne Kuzman was seated for Michelle Hayward.  Also present was:  Patrice Carson, Town Planner.

 

II.            AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:    There was none.

 

III.       OLD BUSINESS:

             a.            8-24 Referral:  Substantial Improvement of Town Property, 619 Main Street, Town of Somers

 

            The Commission felt that they did not have enough information available on the type of improvements to be made at 619 Main Street in order to make a recommendation.

 

First Selectman David Pinney said that all the asbestos tile will be removed and replaced.  For more detailed information, Steve Krasinski should talk to the Commission.

 

Karl Walton asked if it looks feasible to move the Police out of Kibbe Fuller.  The Planning Commission recommended this move about eight years ago.

 

Dave Pinney said the cost of the changeover has not been established yet.  However, the Police could occupy the Firehouse right away on a temporary basis.  The Certificate of Occupancy is still in force.  Public safety use covers the Police being in the old firehouse and it seems to be a plausible option.

 

If the Police move out, the Recreation Department and the Teen Center could move upstairs and the bottom floor would only be used for storage.  Having the bottom floor unoccupied would reduce the need for ADA requirements.

 

David Pinney will have Steve Krasinski come to the next Planning Meeting on March 11, 2004 to provide more details of the renovation plan.  Also David has spoken with the architect who had some type of plan which he will attempt to have available for the March 11th meeting.  Hopefully, this will provide sufficient information for the Planning Commission to make a recommendation.

 

Cliff Bordeaux made a motion to take the agenda out of order and hear the items under New Business before completing Old Business.  This motion was seconded by Georgeanne Kuzman and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

IV.       NEW BUSINESS:

            a.            Reconfiguration of Lots, 353 & 343 Hall Hill Road, Roy & Barnes

 

            The problem was that the Barnes' septic system was on the neighboring property.  The lot line has been changed so that the septic system is on his own property.  Sanitarian Steve Jacobs has no issues with this reconfiguration.  Consulting Engineer Merv Strauss had two conditions which have been incorporated into the approval motion.

 

Cliff Bordeaux made a motion to approve the reconfiguration of property of Ida Roy and Ted & Rhonda Barnes at 353 and 343 Hall Hill Road, as shown on map entitled, "Property Survey Prepared For Norman Roy, Showing Property To Be Conveyed To Theodore M. & Rhonda A. Barnes at 353 Hall Hill Road, Somers, Connecticut," sheet 1 of 3 dated Dec 10, 2003 with no revisions, subject to adding to the plan a 1" = 500' scaled key map and a legend.  This reconfiguration does not constitute a subdivision because no new lot is created.  This motion was seconded by Mike Collins and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

            b.            Reconfiguration of Lots, 56 & 54 Hampden Road, Gavlak

 

                        Town Planner Patrice Carson presented a plan and Mike Mocko, Environmental Consultant for the applicant, pointed out the current lot line and explained what the reconfiguration would be.  The reconfiguration would make available enough land for a one lot subdivision.  No non-conforming lots will be created.  The existing gravel driveway will be used.  The Commission can not take action at this meeting because Sanitarian Steve Jacobs has not yet reviewed the plan.  A decision will be deferred until the next meeting.

 

            c.            Subdivision Application #374, 1 Lot, 56 Hampden Road, Gavlak

 

                        After approval of the reconfiguration, the remaining property would become one conforming lot that meets the zoning requirements and site conditions.  The location of the septic system and well were shown on the site map.  An existing chain link fence will be moved.  It was the consensus of the Commission that a public hearing will not be necessary.  Neighbors are required to be notified by the applicant.

 

The question of open space was discussed.  Mr. Gavlak's son and daughter-in-law were in the audience and stated that the property was gifted to them and money was not exchanged.  If this is verified, the property would be exempt from open space.  It was the consensus of the Commission that if open space is required, it should be in the form of a fee.  This fee would be established by appraisal of the property and 10% of that value would go to the Town.

 

The Staff has not reviewed the plan as yet.  This will be done before the next Planning meeting.  Patrice Carson requested proof that money was not exchanged in this transaction and also deed information that states the original property will not be sold.

 

d.            Subdivision Application #375, 2 Lots, 171 Hampden Road, Daniele

 

            What is proposed is the creation of 2 lots on Hampden Road and Stafford Roads with a square foot area that meets Zoning Regulations.  One lot would be used for building the applicant's home.  Location of the home, well and septic system are shown on the drawing presented to the Commission by Mike Mocko, Environmental Consultant to the applicant.  The wetlands have been delineated even though the wetland area is on an adjacent property.  Construction activity will be well outside the 100' buffer area.  A variance has already been obtained for the frontage.

 

It was the consensus of the commission that a public hearing will not be required for this application.

 

It was the consensus of the Commission that the Open Space requirement would be satisfied by a fee of 10% of the value appraised for both lots.

 

Sanitarian Steve Jacobs requires a suitable footing drain.  Also each well site will have to be analyzed for BOC's prior to well construction.

 

The Commission returned to Old Business.

 

III.       OLD BUSINESS:

            b.            Discussion of Plan for GIS

 

            Patrice Carson passed out a report on the GIS Parcel/Asset Project and the Capital Project Request dating back to the 2001-2002 fiscal year.  The Commission will review this report and discussion will be deferred until the next Planning meeting.

 

V.            STAFF/COMMISSIONER REPORTS:

 

            Patrice Carson has been working mainly on the agenda items.  Mike Collins did not have a CRCOG report as he was unable to attend the last meeting.

 

VI.            AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:    There was none.

 

VII.            CORRESPONDENCE AND BILLS:

 

            Patrice Carson transferred $74.00 into the publication account in order to purchase the updated version of Mike Zizka's "What's Legally Required" for commissioners.

 

Two bills:

                        Journal Inquirer (meeting of 1/8/04)              $55.09

                        Planimetrics                                                      $17,514.45

                                    They are still within budget.

Cliff Bordeaux made a motion to pay the bills; seconded by Mike Collins and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

VIII.            MINUTES APPROVAL:            January 22, 2004 & February 12, 2004

 

            Greg Genlot made a motion to approve the minutes of 1/22/04, as written.  This motion was seconded by Georgeanne Kuzman and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

Brad Pellissier made a motion to approve the 2/12/04 minutes, as written; seconded by Greg Genlot and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

IX.            ADJOURNMENT:

 

            Motion to adjourn was made by Cliff Bordeaux; seconded by Mike Collins and unanimously approved by the Commission.  The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

 

                                                            Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

                                                            Brad Pellissier, Secretary

 

                                                            Connie Carenzo, Recording Secretary