TOWN OF SOMERS

ZONING COMMISSION

P. O. Box 308

Somers, Connecticut 06071

 

ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES

3/1/04; 7:00 p.m.

Town Hall

 

 

 

I.          PUBLIC HEARINGS:

 

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

 

Chairman Klein called the meeting to order at 7:04 PM.

 

Zoning Commission Secretary, A.J. Calder read the legal notice into the record.

 

Patrice Carson noted to the commission that the State of Connecticut has proposed a $10.00 fee increase pertaining to all Zoning applications effective January 1, 2004.

 

MOVED (WOOD) SECONDED (BURNETTE) AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 7:10 PM.

 

II.         CALL TO ORDER:

 

            Chairman Peter Klein called the meeting to order at 7:11 p.m.  Members present were:  Peter Klein, Lise Wood, Marie Burnette, A.P. Calder, Alternates Jill Conklin seated for Rob Martin and John Normand (7:15).  Staff present, Town Planner, Patrice Carson.

 

III.        MINUTES APPROVAL:     January 5, 2004 and January 20, 2004

                                                            January 5, 2004 minutes already approved.

 

MOVED (BURNETTE) SECONDED (CALDER) AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE MINUTES OF THE MEETING FOR JANUARY 20, 2004 - APPROVED AS AMENDED - THE DATE OF NOVEMBER 17, 2003 CHANGED TO JANUARY 5, 2004.

 

IV.       AUDIENCE COMMENTS:

 

Patrice Carson noted to the commission that an additional New Business item should be added to the agenda under Item b, concerning site plan modification - 16 Egypt Road, Steve and Debbie Barnes.

 

MOVED (BURNETTE) SECONDED (WOOD) AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY TO ADD - SITE PLAN MODIFICATION, 16 EGYPT ROAD, STEVE AND DEBBIE BARNES TO THE AGENDA UNDER - VI. NEW BUSINESS ITEM b.

 

V.        OLD BUSINESS:

 

            a.         Discussion/Possible Decision:  Proposed Regulation Amendment:  $10.00 Fee Increase on all Zoning Applications to Cover Cost Required by the DEP.

 

MOVED (WOOD) SECONDED (CONKLIN) AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY  TO APPROVE  PROPOSED REGULATION AMENDMENT:  $10.00 FEE INCREASE ON ALL ZONING APPLICATIONS TO COVER COST REQUIRED BY THE DEP EFFECTIVE UPON PUBLICATION.

 

            b.         Discussion/Decision:  Site Plan Application for Installation and Service of Batteries, 16 Egypt Road, Power Resources Group.

 

            Patrice noted to the commission that the application was nearing it's sixty five day limit.  She also said that she has spoken with the applicant recently on the telephone concerning the deficiencies and problems with the application.  She did not however receive a withdrawal letter or a request to extend the decision timeframe from the applicant.

 

MOVED (WOOD) SECONDED (BURNETTE) AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY TO DENY WITHOUT PREDJUDICE - SITE PLAN APPLICATION FOR INSTALLATION AND SERVICE OF BATTERIES, 16 EGYPT ROAD, POWER RESOURCES GROUP DUE TO LACK OF INFORMATION.

 

VI.       NEW BUSINESS:

 

            a.         Site Plan Application for Industrial Rental Space, 34 Egypt Road, Birkenshaw

 

            Dave Birkenshaw came forward to discuss the application.  He showed the commission a site plan which indicated an existing building and the proposed building.  He discussed the size of the proposed structure and also indicated where the parking spaces would be located.

 

Patrice Carson questioned whether more landscaping was necessary on the site. The commission also discussed distance between the proposed building and the Four Town Fair Grounds fencing.

 

MOVED (WOOD) SECONDED (CONKLIN) AND AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY THAT THE COMMISSION ACCEPT THE APPLICATION AND REFER IT TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION.

 

            b.         other:  Site Plan Modifications for 16 Egypt Road, Steve and Debbie Barnes

 

            Mr. and Mrs. Barnes came forward to discuss the application.  They showed the commission a site plan indicating modifications to the newest building.  The 100 gallon propane tanks will be located in the back of the building to accommodate the 4 offices.  The lighting will be located on the building instead of on poles.  The light fixtures will be the same.  The dumpster will be located in the back of the building instead of the front.  The original site plan shows landscape islands in the middle of the driveway, the new site plan does not have islands.  Mr. and Mrs. Barnes also stated that they will be grading the lot and planting grass.

 

The commission inquired about the parking.  Mr. Barnes stated that parking will now be on the end of the building and that there will be a retaining wall located there as well.   The commission also asked about dumpster screening.  Mr. Barnes indicated that indeed it will be screened if a dumpster should actually exist.

 

Patrice Carson stated that the modifications are within the necessary requirements and that she has no issues with it.  She recommended that the site plan be referred to the Planning Commission showing proper dumpster screening.

 

MOVED (WOOD) SECONDED (BURNETTE) AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY TO REFER SITE PLAN MODIFICATIONS FOR 16 EGYPT ROAD, STEVE AND DEBBIE BARNES TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION.

 

VII.      STAFF/COMMISSIONER REPORTS:

 

The Zoning Enforcement Officer's report was distributed to and reviewed by the Commissioners and the report is attached to the minutes.

 

MOVED (WOOD) SECONDED (BURNETTE) AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY TO ACCEPT JIM TAYLOR'S REPORT TO THE ZONING COMMISSION.

 

VIII.     AUDIENCE COMMENTS:  None.

 

IX.       CORRESPONDENCE AND BILLS:

 

            Patrice Carson presented one bill before the commission pertaining to a Journal Inquirer legal notice for $47.22.

 

MOVED (WOOD) SECONDED (BURNETTE) AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE $47.22 - JOURNAL INQUIRER LEGAL NOTICE.

 

            Patrice Carson also reported that money had been transferred to purchase the updated version of "What's Legally Required" for each commissioner.

 

MOVED (WOOD) SECONDED (CALDER) AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE PURCHASE OF BOOKS "WHAT'S LEGALLY REQUIRED" FOR EACH COMMISSIONER.

 

X.        ADJOURNMENT:

 

MOVED (WOOD) SECONDED (BURNETTE) AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:02 PM.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

Janet Bennett                                                                        A. P. Calder

Recording Secretary                                                            Commission Secretary

 


 

Town of Somers Zoning Enforcement Officer

For the Zoning Commission Meeting of  March 1, 2004

Covering the Weeks of   1/18/04 thru 2/22/04

Activities listed by Address

 

Zoning Permits issued ------6           Certificates of Occupancy issued----12

 

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. Has been denied a variance for this sign. Waiting for sign to be removed.

 

2. 612 Main St.  Rockville Bank. Display of banner in violation of section 214-58.7. Violation Eliminated.

 

3. 237 Mountain View Rd. D. Butler II. Placement of non-permitted trailer in violation of section 214-92.C. Requested compliance. Mr. Butler has agreed to remove trailer.

 

4. 180 Battle St. K, Lloyd. Placement of non-permitted trailer in violation of section 214-92.C. Requested compliance. Waiting for weather conditions to allow removal.

 

5, 11 Hall Hill Rd. Hall Hill Gardens. CL&P has received order to discontinue flood light.

 

 6. 70 Suncrest Dr. K. Reid. Section 214-60 (unregistered vehicles). Requested Compliance.

 

 7. 112 Main St. F. Vono. Section 214-56.C (Restaurant sign for non-existing business. Requested compliance.

 

NOTE:  Notices have been mailed to all gravel bank operators requesting their Special Use Permit renewal applications be completed and submitted to the commission no later than April 19, 2004.     

 

NOTE:: Attached to the chairman’s copy of this report are copies of the 6 signed zoning permits and 12  C.O.’s

 

Respectfully submitted:

 

 

 

Jim Taylor, ZEO