TOWN OF SOMERS

PLANNING COMMISSION

600 Main Street

P. O. Box 308

Somers, Connecticut 006071

 

PLANNING MINUTES

Thursday, April 22, 2004

7:00 p.m.

Town Hall

 

I.          CALL TO ORDER:

 

            Chairman Karl Walton called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.  Members present were:  Karl Walton; Brad Pellissier; Mike Collins; Alternates Greg Genlot and Georgeanne Kuzman.  Greg Genlot was seated for Cliff Bordeaux; Georgeanne Kuzman was seated for Michelle Hayward.  Also present were:  Town Planner Patrice Carson and

Town Consulting Engineer Merv Strauss.

 

II.        AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:      There was none.

 

III.       OLD BUSINESS:

            a.         Discussion/Decision:  Subdivision Application #375, 2 Lots, 171

            Hampden Road, Daniele

 

            Mike Mocko, Environmental Consultant for the applicant, presented revised maps that have addressed the Staff concerns.  He has been in contact with Merv Strauss to resolve the issue of drainage from the driveways.  He feels the Staff comments have been covered.  Patrice Carson said she has no outstanding issues. 

 

Merv Strauss said the street line changes shown on the map are complex and in disarray.

The Town may someday have to address the issues on both sides of Stafford Road.  However, there is no solution at the present time.  This is an old problem.

 

Brad Pellissier made a motion to approve Daniele's 2-lot subdivision, application #375,

in accordance with the plans known as "Site Plan Hampden/Stafford Road, Somers,

Connecticut, Prepared For:  Richard D. Daniele, 419 Soule Road, Wilbraham, MA 01095", dated:  February 18, 2004, Revised:  through 4/21/04, 1 sheet, which is conditional on the following:

            1.         A note shall be placed on the plans:

            "The filing of a $1,350.00 fee in lieu of open space ($675.00 per lot) is required to be paid to the Town of Somers upon the sale or transfer of each lot."

            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.

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4/22/04

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3.         A copy of the transfer of any lot 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.

 

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

 

This motion was seconded by Georgeanne Kuzman and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

            b.         Subdivision Application #376, 5-lots, Hall Hill Road (Bridle Path

            Ridge) Richard A. McCullough, Inc. Builders

 

            There have been no official Staff comments to date.  Sanitarian Steve Jacobs has requested some additional testing on all of the lots so he can render a decision about the proposed septic systems.  Merv and Patrice are awaiting Steve's decision.

 

Patrice said some of her concerns are that she needs an abutter's list for the 1,200' road; the map needs updating; tree notes and the question of open space.  The Open Space Committee will discuss this issue at their meeting of May 5, 2004.

 

Merv Strauss also has some concerns.  The line of sight is bad in one area and he requires information on drainage.  He also feels the lot lines should be radial.  Patrice Carson said the Staff could make radial lot lines a requirement.

 

IV.       NEW BUSINESS:

            a.         Reconfiguration of Lots, 12 & 6 Amie Lane, Socha & Thomson

                        This is an already approved subdivision off Long Hill Road.  Basically, the Thomsons are selling the Sochas a 20' strip of land.

 

Georgeanne Kuzman made a motion to approve the reconfiguration of property of Robert C. & Diane E. Socha and William & Karen Thomson at 12 & 6 Amie Lane, as shown on map entitled, "Compilation Plan Prepared For Robert C. & Diane E. Socha, Mountain Ridge Estates, 12 Amie Lane, Somers, Connecticut", dated:  4-8-04, Revised:  through

 

Planning Minutes

4/22/04

Page 3

 

4-20-04, 1 sheet.  This reconfiguration does not constitute a subdivision because no new lot is created.  This motion was seconded by Greg Genlot and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

            b.         Reconfiguration of Lots, 147 Main Street & 60 Shaker Road, Two

            J's, LLC & Koneski

 

            This property is mainly on Shaker and the two owners are basically trading property.

 

Brad Pellissier made a motion to approve the reconfiguration of property of Two J's LLC

& Joseph T. Koneski at 147 Main Street & 60 Shaker Road, as shown on map entitled, "Land Transfer Map, Shaker Road, Somers, Connecticut, Prepared For:  TWO Js, LLC,

452 South Road, Somers, CT. 06071", dated:  February 12, 2004, Revised:  through 3-31-04, 1 sheet.  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.

 

            c.         Subdivision Application #377, 1-lot, End of Eaglebrook Drive, Chen

 

                        Dave Palmberg, surveyor for the applicant, said this is a 1-lot 18.9 acre parcel located at the end of Eaglebrook Drive to be serviced by a private well and septic system.  Soil testing has been done and approved.  The Conservation Commission has approved the application.  A 50' conservation easement will be granted to the Town to allow access to the Blue Trail. 

 

Patrice Carson will start the appraisal process of the entire property, deducting the value of the easement, and establishing the cost of the remainder of the open space requirement.

This is a re-subdivision, so a public hearing will be required. 

 

Drainage issues were discussed; the applicant will devise a way to bring the drainage over to the wetland.  No official Staff comments, as yet.  The public hearing date can be set the second meeting in May - May 27, 2004.

 

            d.         Zoning Referral:  Site Plan Application for Welding & Auto Body

            Repair Business, 16 Egypt Road, Building 2, Unit B, Twister Manufacturing

 

            The applicants for this Site Plan were present and explained their business to the Commission.  The company plans to do welding and manufacturing of the parts required

 

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4/22/04

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 by the other businesses in this industrial complex.  Large painting jobs will be contracted out.  Ceiling fans will be installed for ventilation.  There is no chemical or acid waste.  Business hours would be 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., six days a week.

 

Brad Pellissier made a motion to recommend approval to the Zoning Commission of this Site Plan Application for Welding & Auto Body Repair Business at 16 Egypt Road, Building 2, Unit B, Twister Manufacturing.  This motion was seconded by Georgeanne Kuzman and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

            e.         Zoning Referral:  Proposed Amendments to Zoning Regulations,

            Section 214-98.B.22. Motor Vehicle Sales, Service, Gasoline Sales

 

            This amendment adds motor vehicle sales, service and gasoline sales to the list of businesses allowed in an industrial zone.

 

Brad Pellissier asked about the aquifer protection program that will be required by the State.  This could pose restrictions in the future.  Brad would like to see the protection plan in place before changing the regulations.

 

Greg Genlot made a motion to send this proposed amendment back to the Zoning Commission with a recommendation of denial at least until the State mandated aquifer protection plan is in place.  This motion was seconded by Brad Pellissier and unanimously approved by the Commission.                   

 

            f.          Zoning Referral:  Proposed Amendments to Zoning Regulations,

            Section 214-60. Unregistered Motor Vehicles

 

            This amendment would only allow one unregistered vehicle on a property, rather than two.  It would also require complete screening from the street and nearby properties.

 

Patrice expressed concern about properties that do not have a garage or screening in the backyard. 

 

Karl Walton was also concerned about the citizens that like to restore old cars.  They could have their primary car but could not keep another unregistered vehicle for parts.

Karl suggested strengthening the existing regulation by not allowing unregistered vehicles in the front yard or out by the street.

 

It was the consensus of the Commission to ask Jim Taylor, ZEO, to provide a list of all the properties that have more than two cars that are not registered, as well as providing pictures as examples.

 

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4/22/04

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It was also the consensus of the Commission to take no action on this zoning referral at this time.

 

V.        STAFF/COMMISSIONER REPORTS:

 

            Merv Strauss and Patrice Carson have been working on County Road; as-builts for roads and agenda items.  Patrice has also been working on the preservation of large parcels of land hopefully in a land trust.

 

VI.       AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:      There was none.

 

VII.     CORRESPONDENCE AND BILLS:

 

            Patrice Carson mentioned a seminar at the Tolland Agricultural Center that is scheduled for the same night as the next Plan of Conservation and Development meeting - May 6, 2004.  She suggested postponing the POCD meeting as she feels this seminar is one that commissioners should attend.  You bring your town map and the instructors will place the trails system and greenways on it.

 

After a discussion, several commissioners decided to attend this meeting in Tolland.

 

One bill from Merv Strauss for his services in the time period of January 1 through March 31, 2004 in the amount of $2,380.00.

 

Brad Pellissier made a motion to approve payment of the bill; seconded by Georgeanne

Kuzman seconded the motion which was unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

VIII.    MINUTES APPROVAL:      March 25, 2004 & April 8, 2004

 

            Brad Pellissier made a motion to approve the March 25, 2004 minutes, as written.

This motion was seconded by Georgeanne Kuzman and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

Brad Pellissier made a motion to approve the April 8, 2004 minutes, as written.  This motion was seconded by Greg Genlot and unanimously approved by the Commission.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Planning Minutes

4/22/04

Page 6

 

 

 

IX.       ADJOURNMENT:

 

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

 

                                                            Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

                                                            Brad Pellissier, Secretary

                                                            Connie Carenzo, Recording Secretary

 

 

MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVAL AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING.