TOWN OF SOMERS

PLANNING COMMISSION

P. O. BOX 308

SOMERS, CONNECTICUT 06071

 

PLANNING MINUTES

Special Meeting

Thursday, April 8, 2004

6:15 p.m., Town Hall

 

 

I.          CALL TO ORDER:

 

            Chairman Karl Walton called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m.  Members present were:  Karl Walton; Brad Pellissier; Michelle Hayward; Cliff Bordeaux and Alternate Greg Genlot.  Greg Genlot was seated for Michael Collins.  Alternate Joe Iadarola arrived at 6:30 p.m.  Also present were:  Patrice Carson, Town Planner and Merv Strauss, Town Consulting Engineer.

 

II.        AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:

 

            Ken Prior of Mountain Road asked if he could see a site plan of the proposed storage building at Worthington Pond.

 

III.       OLD BUSINESS:

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

 

            Brad Pellissier made a motion to take up this agenda item as the last item under Old Business; seconded by Cliff Bordeaux and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

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

 

            Dan Roulier explained what he would like to do with this storage building and pointed out its location on his site plan.  The building is 16' x 24' on piers with a dirt floor and will be used to store farm implements, followed by a covered area to a self-contained rest room area, continuing the covered walkway to a 50' x 100' tent.  At least (133) parking spaces will be available.  The second floor of the storage building will be used as a hayloft.

 

Brad Pellissier made a motion to recommend approval of this storage building to the Zoning Commission; Greg Genlot seconded the motion which was unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

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

 

            Dan Roulier presented a site plan of an 18' x 24' one-story covered dock house built on concrete to be used for canoeing, fishing, etc.  Approval has been received from the Conservation Commission to dredge the pond.  The dock is actually sitting in the water on stone and a concrete pad.

 

Brad Pellissier made a motion to recommend approval of this Site Plan Application to the Zoning Commission; seconded by Greg Genlot and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

Dan Roulier was requested to attend a future Planning Meeting in order to explain any future proposals.

 

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

 

            Merv Strauss had expressed concern about the line of sight for this subdivision.  Mike Mocko, Environmental Analyst for the Applicant, said he is working on the street line to be sure the line of sight is adequate and hopes to have this issue resolved by the next meeting.  Patrice Carson said all of her issues on this application have been resolved.

 

IV.       NEW BUSINESS:

a.         Zoning Referral:  Special Use Permit Application for Home Occupation, 22 Kibbe Grove Road, Blouin

 

Mr. & Mrs. Blouin appeared and stated that this is basically a home-based gift shop, doing business on an internet web site.  There will be no signage or customer pick-up.  Stock comes by Federal Express and UPS only once or twice a week.  Under 10% of the space for the entire home will be used for the business.  The gifts are primarily glass and ceramic items.  The barn that is already on this property will be used for storage of overstock. Delivery is made to the customers.

 

Greg Genlot made a motion to recommend approval of this Special Use Permit to the Zoning Commission; seconded by Brad Pellissier and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

The public hearing for this permit has been set by Zoning for April 19, 2004.

 

b.         Zoning Referral:  Site Plan Application for Sales & Installation of Auto & Truck Parts, 16 Egypt Road (Building 2, Unit A), Group O, LLC

 

Gordon Mello, applicant, said this is an after the market auto and truck parts sales operation for specialty items such as special hoods, running boards and other items a person might wish to add to his vehicle.  The building is in an industrial zone on Egypt Road in Steve Barnes' middle building.

 

Cliff Bordeaux made a motion to recommend approval to the Zoning Commission for this Site Plan Application; seconded by Brad Pellissier and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

c.         Subdivision Application #376, 5-Lots, Hall Hill Road (Bridle Path Ridge), Richard A. McCullough, Inc. Builders

 

            This property has frontage on Hall Hill Road, White Oak Road, and Valley View Hall Hill Road. A 570' cul-de-sac is proposed off Valley View.  A variance has been obtained for the lot on Hall Hill Road.

 

If the street numbers can not be continued from Bridle Path, then new street names will have to be assigned.

 

Open Space requirements - might be suitable for trails.  Open Space Committee will meet the first week in May and they can review this application then.

 

Staff reviews have not been done.  Merv Strauss asked about drainage.  Mike Mocko said there will be underdrains outletting to a rip-rap swale to a detention pond.  A property line swale would be put in so that the drainage does not go onto the neighboring lot.

 

Merv asked about groundwater and was told 18 - 24" by Mike Mocko.  The layout is arranged to pick up septic areas where there are workable soils.

 

Merv complained about the erratic lot lines and questioned whether the lot lines shown were a breach of the rules calling for radial lot lines.

 

A Staff review will be done before the next Planning meeting.

 

V.        STAFF/COMMISSIONER REPORTS:

 

            This will be reviewed at the next meeting.

 

VI.       AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:      There was none.

 

VII.     CORRESPONDENCE AND BILLS:

 

            Patrice Carson passed out drafts of the 2004-2005 budget proposal that showed some cutbacks made by the Board of Selectmen.  After a discussion, it was the consensus of the Commission that most of these cutbacks are items that need to be funded.  Patrice Carson will pass on the concerns of the Commission to the Board of Selectmen.

 

The following bills were submitted:

            Journal Inquirer mtg. of 3/11                  $39.35

            Journal Inquirer mtg. of 3/25                  $47.22

            Planimetrics                                                      $4,875.31

            Posters for POCD Meeting                               $25.90

 

Greg Genlot made a motion to approve payment of the bills; seconded by Cliff Bordeaux and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

VIII.    ADJOURNMENT:

 

            Motion to adjourn made by Cliff Bordeaux; seconded by Brad Pellissier and unanimously approved by the Commission.  The meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m.

 

                                                            Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                            Brad Pellissier, Secretary

                                                            Connie Carenzo, Recording Secretary