TOWN OF SOMERS
PLANNING COMMISSION
600 Main Street
P. O. Box 308
Somers, Connecticut 006071
PLANNING MINUTES
Thursday, May 13, 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, and Alternates Georgeanne Kuzman (seated for Mike Collins), Greg Genlot (seated for Michelle Hayward) and Joe Iadorala (seated for Cliff Bordeaux). Also present were: Town Planner Patrice Carson and Town Consulting Engineer Merv Strauss.
II. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: There was none.
III. OLD BUSINESS:
A motion was made by Brad
Pellissier, seconded by Georgeanne Kuzman, and unanimously voted to take the
agenda in order beginning with item c. under Old Business.
c. Zoning
Referral: Proposed Amendments to Zoning
Regulations, Section 214-60. Unregistered Motor Vehicles
The Town Planner reported that the ZEO did not have time to compile a
list of properties that had a problem with unregistered vehicles, but he did
refer the Commission to his reports that are attached to the Zoning Commission
minutes that list unregistered vehicles violations. Georgeanne Kuzman had reviewed those minutes and found that over
the last two years there was only 7 incidents of unregistered motor vehicles
and the violations were resolved.
Since the last
meeting most of the Planning Commissioners have been driving around town trying
to spot incidents where unregistered vehicles were on people’s property and
looked like a problem, but none of the Commissioners could point to any real
“eyesores” and none felt this was a problem that needed enforcing. Brad Pellissier felt, and the Commission
agreed, that this was yet another property right being taken away from land
owners, and perhaps if the unregistered vehicles are visible, the tax collector
can tax them. Also, there may be
instances where people do not have the ability to screen an unregistered
vehicle and have no alternative but to get rid of it.
A motion was made by Brad
Pellissier, seconded by Joe Iadorola, and unanimously voted to recommend to the
Zoning Commission denial of the proposed amendment due to the fact that after
looking around town, unregistered motor vehicles did not seem to be a big
problem and therefore limiting the use and enjoyment of a property owner in
this case does not seem to outweigh the gain for the public at large.
d. Other There was no other Old Business.
IV. NEW BUSINESS:
a. Discussion: Extension of Isabella Drive for Subdivision
Ric Leno presented the Commission with a survey of the area and does not agree that Isabella Drive should be extended to become a thru-road to Stebbins Road as has been suggested by town staff during preliminary discussions. Mr. Leno had Lloyd’s property (south corner of Battle Street & Stebbins Road) surveyed to see if the intersection could be upgraded without having to extend Isabella Drive to Stebbins Road. There are sight line issues that could be dealt with – mailboxes, brush, and a tree could be cleared and a utility pole could be removed to allow for a 10-foot widening of Stebbins Road along the northern edge. Battle Street could also be widened along the eastern edge to allow more room for traffic to move. Mr. Leno would also like to install stop signs which he feels would help slow the traffic and allow for easier turns, and he presented a list of town roads that have stop signs that only appear to be controlling speed. However staff believes this would not solve the ability to plow the intersection correctly or the ability for right-hand turns onto Battle Street, and stop signs should not be installed to control speed. Whatever the solution, it must be decided from a safety and good planning perspective.
Mr. Leno was also concerned that by making a thru-road, he might loose a lot from his subdivision. The Commission reminded him that at this point there are no lots there.
Another possibility would be to purchase the Lloyd property or part of it in order to try and improve the sight line and the geometry. This could also be accomplished by removing the house on the northern side of Stebbins Road which is part of Mr. Leno’s project.
After further discussion, it was suggested that Mr. Leno consult with a traffic engineer who can present a study of the intersection to the Commission.
b. Other There was no other New Business.
III. OLD BUSINESS:
a. Subdivision
Application #376, 5-lots, Hall Hill Road (Bridle Path Ridge) Richard A.
McCullough, Inc. Builders
The Town Planner and Town Engineer have numerous staff comments that need to be addressed. At this point there are still no official comments from the Town Sanitarian who has requested some additional testing on all of the lots so he can render a decision about the proposed septic systems. Standpipes have also been installed to monitor the groundwater levels and will be reviewed until the end of May.
Discussion centered around the lot lines which are not radial to the street line which is not in accordance with the subdivision regulations, and the site line on Bridle Path at Hall Hill Road which needs to be cleared and graded. Also, some clearing may need to be done on the Liquori property unless the trees are in the Town’s Right of Way.
b. Subdivision Application #377,
1-lot, End of Eaglebrook Drive, Chen – Set Public Hearing Date
The Commission reviewed the staff comments and would like the applicant to address those issues on the plans for staff to review before scheduling a public hearing.
V. STAFF/COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
Merv Strauss and Patrice Carson have been working on items on the agenda, County Road, and some additional information that has been requested on the Mill grant. Also, Patrice and Georgeanne Kuzman attended a Greenway and Trails workshop to discuss the town current open space and trails, and the towns future needs and desires. All the information compiled will be going into a regional GIS and help the town in the future when looking for grants to purchase the areas identified.
VI. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: There was none.
VII. CORRESPONDENCE AND BILLS:
DOT has notified the town that they will apply to DEP to renew a wetlands permit for the intersection work at Gulf Road, Turnpike Road, and Main Street.
There was one bill from the Journal Inquirer for the meeting of April 22, 2004 for $55.09. A motion was made by Joe Iadorala, seconded by Brad Pellissier, and unanimously voted to approve payment of the bill.
VIII. MINUTES APPROVAL: April 22, 2004
A motion was made by Brad Pellissier, seconded by Greg Genlot and unanimously voted to approve the April 22, 2004 minutes, as written.
IX. ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Joe Iadarola, seconded by Brad Pellissier, and unanimously voted to adjorn the May 13, 2004 Planning Commission meeting at 8:34pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Brad Pellissier, Secretary
MINUTES ARE NOT
OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVAL AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING.