TOWN OF SOMERS

PLANNING COMMISSION

P. O. Box 308

Somers, Connecticut 06071

 

PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES

March 11, 2004

7:00 p.m.

Somers 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; Brad Pellissier; Alternates Greg Genlot and Georgeanne Kuzman.  Greg Genlot was seated for Mike Collins, who arrived at 7:12 p.m. and Georgeanne Kuzman was seated for Michelle Hayward.  Also present were:  Merv Strauss, Town Consulting Engineer and 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

 

            Town Planner, Patrice Carson, contacted Steve Krasinski, who is a member of the Special Projects Building Committee.  Steve said that plans for the renovations at 619 Main Street would not be available for several weeks.  He did not see any point in addressing the Planning Commission until he has a set of plans to present to the Commission.  At their March 8, 2004 meeting, the Board of Selectmen voted to rescind the 8-24 referral for 619 Main Street until plans are available.

 

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

 

            Mike Mocko's latest plan shows a relocation of the reserve leachfield as well as the addition of a key map.  This plan will require the signature of the Town Sanitarian, Steve Jacobs.

 

Brad Pellissier made a motion to approve the reconfiguration of property of Kerrick & Mandi Gavlak & David & Lucille Gavlak at 56 and 54 Hampden Road, as shown on map entitled, "Lot Reconfiguration Plan & Subdivision Plan, Hampden Road, Somers, CT 06071, Prepared For:  The Gavlaks", sheet 1 of 1 dated February 11, 2004 with no revisions, with the condition that the Town Sanitarian is satisfied with the plans and signs them.  This reconfiguration does not constitute a subdivision because no new lot is created.  This motion was seconded by Georgeanne Kuzman and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

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

 

            Patrice reported that the Staff reviews have been sent out to Mike Mocko, Environmental Consultant for the applicant.  The existing fence does not present a problem as long as it is removed.  Merv Strauss, however, is concerned about the line of sight and feels that the location of the driveway needs improvement.  The hillside should be leveled out and cleared of vegetation.  All of the Staff concerns can be corrected by Mike Mocko.  There are a few problems with drainage.  The revised plan should be available by the next Planning meeting when it will be reviewed again by the Commission.

 

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

 

            Not all Staff had reviewed the plan, as yet.  Merv Strauss suggested that some clearing should be done so the line of sight is adequate.  Drainage from the driveway must be kept off the road.  The applicant needed 60 or 70 feet of frontage for one lot and has already received a variance.  This application will be reviewed at the next Planning meeting when all of the Staff comments should be available.

 

Cliff Bordeaux made a motion to take the agenda out of order and proceed to New Business before discussing item (e) under Old Business.  This motion was seconded by Brad Pellissier and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

IV.       NEW BUSINESS:

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

 

            Dave Birkenshaw presented a site plan to the Commission which showed an existing building and the proposed building of approximately 1,300 square feet.  With the addition of this building, he still does not exceed the maximum coverage requirement.  Dave pointed out the new septic system, drywells and propane tank locations.  Basically, he is just adding two bays to an existing site.  Screening is already in place.  Dave has planted flowering plum trees that are supposed to adapt well to sandy soil.

 

Brad Pellissier made a motion to recommend to the Zoning Commission approval of this industrial building in the industrial zone; seconded by Cliff Bordeaux and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

             b.         Zoning Referral:  Site Plan Modification for Industrial Building, 165 Egypt Road, Barnes

 

            This is a minor modification to a site plan that already has been approved.  Basically, the applicant is rotating the new building so that it faces an existing building instead of the street.  This will change the location of the propane tanks which will now be at the back of the building and the lighting will be on the building rather than on poles.  The dumpster will be located at the back of the building instead of the front.  Landscape islands in the middle of the driveway have been removed.  The parking area has been changed.  There will be plantings behind Building #2 to screen the propane tanks.  Drainage is not a problem.

 

Patrice Carson said the Staff has no issues with these changes.  The applicant will grade and slope the front area and plant grass.

 

Greg Genlot made a motion to recommend to the Zoning Commission approval of this site plan modification.  Brad Pellissier seconded the motion which was unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

Cliff Bordeaux made a motion to add the following two items under New Business; seconded by Brad Pellissier and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

            c.         Discussion of Open Space Donation in Lieu of Fee - Pudim Property

 

            This is a 122 acre farm land property on Hurlburt Road.  The developer would like enough property for (5) building lots.  With the need for fields becoming an issue, the suggestion is that Open Space and Conservation take some frontage, 750' x 720', in order to have (4) all-purpose athletic fields with parking around them.  There is some debate about requiring the developer to put in the fields.  A portion of this property is in the flood plain.

 

It was the consensus of the Planning Commission that this suggestion is the way to go.  The question was asked if the Town would be willing to lease this property to a farmer for planting crops until the fields are constructed.

 

            d.         Site Plan Application - 12 South Road - Subway Sandwich Shop, Gotta

 

            This is a standard Subway Sandwich Shop without a drive-through going into an existing building.  Parking is adequate.

 

It was the consensus of the Planning Commission to recommend approval to the Zoning Commission for this application so that construction can get underway in a timely fashion.

 

The Commission returned to Item (e) under Old Business.

 

III.       OLD BUSINESS:

            e.         Discussion of Plan for GIS:

 

            Patrice Carson talked with the Land Use Staff and prepared a list of the many uses for the GIS system that is located in the Land Use Department.  It was felt that both she and Steve Jacobs should be trained in the operation of the GIS system so that all of these functions can be set up and used by various departments and also citizens of the town.  Patrice said the GIS system should be linked with the Assessor's System.  She has organized the possible uses of the GIS system in the order of short term goals and long term goals.

 

Chairman Karl Walton indicated his satisfaction with Patrice's report in order to present this issue to the Board of Selectmen for their approval of the project.

 

V.         STAFF/COMMISSIONER REPORTS:

 

            Merv Strauss reported that he is working on the grant for the Mill area and the County Road issue with theTown Planner, Patrice Carson.  He and Patrice are also reviewing the proposed extension of Isabella Drive which would eliminate the dangerous Stebbin Road intersection.

 

VI.       AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:       There was none.

 

VII.      CORRESPONDENCE AND BILLS:

 

            Patrice presented paperwork on a seminar that is available on April lst.  There are two bills:

 

            GPS System                              $390.00*

             *Open Space Committee will pay for this out of their line item but they need approval from the Planning Commission

 

            Quill (office supplies)                 $17.54

 

            Brad Pellissier made a motion to pay the bills; seconded by Georgeanne Kuzman and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

VIII.    MINUTES APPROVAL:       February 26, 2004

 

            Approval will be tabled until the next meeting.

 

IX.       ADJOURNMENT:

 

            Motion to adjourn made by Brad Pellissier; seconded by Cliff Bordeaux and unanimously approved by the Commission.  The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

 

                                                            Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

                                                            Brad Pellissier, Secretary

 

                                                            Connie Carenzo, Recording Secretary