TOWN OF SOMERS

PLANNING COMMISSION

P. O. Box 308

Somers, Connecticut 06071

 

 

PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES

Thursday, March 25, 2004

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; Michelle Hayward; Brad Pellissier (7:15) and Alternates Georgeanne Kuzman; Greg Genlot.  Greg Genlot was seated for Mike Collins; Georgeanne Kuzman was seated for Brad Pellissier.  Town Planner Patrice Carson was also present.

 

II.            AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:    There was none.

 

III.       OLD BUSINESS:

             a.            Discussion/Possible Decision:  Subdivision Application #374, 1 Lot, 56 Hampden Road, Gavlak

 

            Mike Mocko, Environmental Analyst for the applicant, revised the plans based on Staff comments.  Everything has been addressed.  When plans come in for a building permit, the relocation of the driveway and line of sight will be discussed.

 

Merv Strauss was concerned about the line of sight and clarification of the drainage from 58 Hampden Road rear yard onto 56 Hampden Road.  Mike Mocko said these lots have sandy soil and there are no real drainage issues.  The Building Inspector requires that drainage does not go from one lot to another.

 

54 and 56 Hampden share an existing well - an easement is already filed on the land records.

 

Open Space appraisal came back at $12,000 so $1,200 would be due the Town for Open Space if Lot #2 is sold.

 

The Town Planner said there will be (10) conditions of approval.  Sanitarian Steve Jacobs said this application meets the basic health code and David Askew has no issues.  The applicant also provided certified mail slips for notifying abutters.

 

Cliff Bordeaux made a motion to approve Gavlak's 1-lot subdivision #374, in accordance with the plans known as "Lot Reconfiguration Plan & Subdivision Plan, Hampden Road, Somers, CT, Prepared For:  The Gavlaks", dated:  February 11, 2004, Revised:  through 3/24/04, 1 sheet, which is conditional on the following:

1.            A note shall be placed on the plans:  "The filing of a $1,200.00 fee in lieu of open space is required to be paid to the Town of Somers upon the sale or transfer of lot #2."

            The Town of Somers shall also place a notice on the land records to insure payment.

            2.            The $300.00 fee for the appraisal for open space shall be paid in full and proof of payment shall be submitted to the planning office.

            3.            A copy of the transfer of lot #2 shall be filed by the applicant with the Planning Office.

            4.            The signatures of the Town Engineer and Town Sanitarian be on the plans signifying their approval of the plans in accordance with Section 213-19 of the Subdivision Regulations.

            5.            All appropriate seals and signatures of the design professionals and Soil Scientist for this plan shall be on the plans.

            6.            Within 45 days of this approval all iron pins and monuments be set and certified in accordance with the plans or a $10,000 bond be received by the Town in accordance with Section 213-54.c. of the Subdivision Regulations.

            7.            The buildable area for each lot needs to be shown in acres in the Lot Areas Table.  Also, the Total Area for all the lots needs to be tallied and shown in TOTAL AREA and BUILDABLE AREA in acres and square feet.

            8.            The approval box for the Planning Commission needs signature lines added for the Commissioner's signatures and the word "Chairman" removed.  Also, the word "Approved" should be added above the Town Sanitarian's signature line.

            9.            The site plan shall reflect the town engineer comments of March 9, 2004 concerning water which shall not drain from one lot onto another and redirection of driveway surface water so that it will not flow out onto the public road.

            10.            The property frontage will be regraded and cleared as necessary to allow for adequate site line for the driveway for 58 Hampden Road.

 

            The Planning Commission finds with these conditions the plan meets the requirements of the Somers Subdivision Regulations.

 

Michelle Hayward seconded this motion which was unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

             b.            Discussion/Possible Decision:  Subdivision Application #375, 2 Lots, 171 Hampden Road, Daniele

 

            Mike Mocko, Environmental Consultant for the applicant, made appropriate revisions to the plan, according to Staff comments.  He outlined the extent of the changes.

 

Patrice Carson said the application does not have to go before the Wetlands Commission and Steve Jacobs is all set with the public health code.

 

Merv Strauss needs to discuss with the surveyor how the street line was established on Stafford Road and is also concerned about the drainage flow.  Mike explained how the drainage was going to be handled in order to keep the driveway from draining onto the public road.

 

Open Space appraisal came in at $13,500; 10% Open Space fee would be $1,350 or $675 per lot.  Patrice said that house numbers need to be assigned for these two lots.  Information on the variance already obtained should be on the plan.  The applicant has presented certified mail receipts from notification of the abutters.  The Planning Commission meets again on April 8, 2004.  If these issues are resolved, approval should be granted at that time.

 

IV.       NEW BUSINESS:

             a.            Zoning Referral:  Site Plan Application for Storage Building, 359 Mountain Road, Roulier

 

            This application is for a storage building with a dirt floor and a covered walkway to a proposed tent.  The building would be used to store tables and chairs and farm supplies.  The covered walkway also goes to temporary rest room facilities.  The building is 16' x 24' with a hayloft in the second story.  It was the consensus of the Commission that Dan Roulier should be present to answer questions about this project.  This item will be deferred until the next meeting.

 

             b.            Zoning Referral:  Site Plan Application for Covered Dock, 359 Mountain Road, Roulier

 

            This is an 18' x 24' one-story covered dock house built on concrete to be used for canoeing, fishing, etc.  It has been approved by the Conservation Commission.  Again, it was the consensus of the Commission that Dan Roulier should be present to answer questions and this item will be deferred until the next meeting.

 

V.            STAFF/COMMISSIONER REPORTS:

 

            Patrice Carson has been working on submitting grants; Somersville Mill discussions and general office work.  Patrice said that a developer may be interested in purchasing the Whittaker property.

 

VI.            AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:    There was none.

 

VII.            CORRESPONDENCE AND BILLS:

 

            Patrice Carson e-mailed information on a Land Use Education Partnership seminar that is available, which is training specifically geared toward Land Use Commissioners.  Brad Pellissier, Michelle Hayward and Greg Genlot indicated they would like to attend Sessions (2) and (3) of this seminar.

 

Cliff Bordeaux made a motion to approve attendance of up to (4) Commission members at this seminar.  This motion was seconded by Greg Genlot and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

There were two bills:

                                    Journal Inquirer                         $39.35

                                    Len Viera's Gift Certificate            $50.00

Cliff Bordeaux made a motion to approve payment of these bills; seconded by Georgeanne Kuzman and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

Patrice Carson said her next CCAPA Executive Committee meeting is scheduled for Friday, April 2, 2004.  Cliff Bordeaux made a motion to approve the Town Planner's attendance at this meeting; seconded by Michelle Hayward and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

VIII.            MINUTES APPROVAL:            February 26, 2004 & March 11, 2004

 

            There were three (3) minor corrections on Page 3:  Change "ond" to "one" second line; change spelling under Section VII from "Ziska" to "Zizka" and add the letters "on" to the last word.

 

Cliff Bordeaux made a motion to approve the 2/26/04 minutes, as amended.  This motion was seconded by Greg Genlot and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

On page 1 of the 3/11/04 minutes, fourth paragraph, change "Annmarie" to "Georgeanne".

 

Cliff Bordeaux made a motion to approve the 3/11/04 minutes, as amended.  This motion was seconded by Greg Genlot and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

IX.            ADJOURNMENT:

 

            Motion to adjourn made by Cliff Bordeaux; seconded by Michelle Hayward and unanimously approved by the Commission.  The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.

 

                                                            Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

                                                            Brad Pellissier, Secretary

 

                                                            Connie Carenzo, Recording Secretary