TOWN OF SOMERS

ZONING COMMISSION

P.O. BOX 308

SOMERS, CONNECTICUT 06071

 

ZONING MINUTES

REGULAR MEETING

Tuesday, September 7, 2004

7:30 p.m.   Town Hall

 

I.          CALL TO ORDER:

 

Chairman Peter Klein called the regular meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.  Members Marie Burnette, Anita P. Calder, Peter Klein and Lise Wood, and Alternate Members Peter Chipouras (seated for Robert Martin), and Jill Conklin were present and constituted a quorum.  Also in attendance were Town Planner, Patrice Carson, and Zoning Enforcement Officer, James Taylor.

 

II.            MINUTES APPROVAL:

 

A motion was made by Lise Wood and seconded by A.P. Calder to approve the July 26, 2004 minutes as written.  The motion passed by a vote of 4 in favor, 0 opposed, and 1 abstention (Klein).

 

A motion was made by Lise Wood and seconded by A.P. Calder to approve the August 9, 2004 minutes as written.  The motion passed by a vote of 4 in favor, 0 opposed, and 1 abstention (Burnette).

 

III.       OLD BUSINESS:

 

There was none.

 

IV.       NEW BUSINESS:

 

A motion was made by Lise Wood, seconded by Marie Burnette and unanimously voted to take Items a. and d. under New Business out of order, and to put Item d. just before adjournment.

 

b.         Site Plan Application for Change of Use to Tee Shirt Distribution & Print Facility, 23 Eleanor Road, Eleanor Road Business Center

 

Steve Riley presented his plan for the 2-story building in an industrial zone.  His intention is to use approximately 80 percent of the basement for warehouse purposes and the remainder of the basement for the printing of T-shirts.  He expects to have 3 employees in addition to 3 family members.  No retail sales would take place on the site.

 

Peter Klein asked about removal of waste products and the applicant replied that silk screening machines would be used and waste removal would be minimal.  There is septic on the site.

 

Patrice Carson stated that the Fire Marshall and Sanitarian have both reviewed and approved the site plan.

 

Discussion followed about the location of the facility and it was determined that there is a residence on one side of the site only.  Signage and lighting were also discussed and it was determined that Jim Taylor would work with the applicant regarding this.

 

A motion was made by Lise Wood, seconded by Peter Chipouras and unanimously voted to accept the application and refer it to the Planning Commission.

 

c.         2003 – 2004 Annual Report

 

A draft of the Annual Zoning Report was presented for the Commission’s review by Patrice Carson.  It was decided to delete the word “covered” in one sentence.

 

A motion was made by Lise Wood, seconded by A.J. Calder and unanimously voted to accept the Annual Report as amended and forward to the printer and Treasurer.

 

A motion was made by Lise Wood, seconded by Marie Burnette and unanimously voted to return to Item a. of New Business.

 

a.         Site Plan Application for Change of Use to Salon/Day Spa & Addition, 67 South Road, Wurdig

 

The plans for the applicant include an addition to the building as well as additions to the parking area.  There would be approximately 15 spaces, as well as handicap parking and access.  The site is serviced with public water and has a septic system.

 

Concern was expressed about the large amount of pavement on the site but Mrs. Carson stated that the applicant may cover up to 60% of the site and the plans show only about 48% to be covered.

 

Screening of the property was discussed and Mr. Klein asked if measurements had been done to ensure that at least 10 feet of space was available.  It was determined by looking at the plans that there should be adequate room.  Mrs. Carson stated that one of the requirements of the applicant was for a landscaping plan.

 

The flow of traffic as shown on the plan was discussed.  The Commission felt that the traffic pattern would be better if it were reversed.

 

A motion was made by Marie Burnette, seconded by Lise Wood and unanimously voted to accept the site plan application and refer it to the Planning Commission.

 

V.            STAFF/COMMISSION REPORTS:

 

Zoning Enforcement Officer Jim Taylor reviewed his report with the Commission.  A motion was made by Lise Wood, seconded by Marie Burnette and unanimously voted to accept the report.

 

Patrice Carson asked Commission members to note the wording located at the bottom of the agenda for this meeting regarding citizen input and she expressed gratitude to A.J. Calder for help with the proper wording.

 

VI.            CORRESPONDENCE AND BILLS

 

No new bills were presented.

 

A notice was received from the Town of Stafford regarding a public hearing to be held on September 14, 2004 at 7:00 p.m.  The hearing involves a subdivision at 16 Rocky Dundee Road which is within 500 feet of the Town of Somers.

 

Notice was received of CCM’s Annual Conference on October 14, 2004.

 

Notice was received of a seminar entitled “Effective Use of Zoning Tool Box” on September 28, 2004 in Hartford.  The cost of the meeting is $50.00.  Jill Conklin said that she would be able to attend.  A motion was made by Marie Burnette, seconded by Lise Wood and unanimously voted to allocate funds for Jill to attend the seminar on behalf of the Commission.

 

d.            Executive Session:  Pending Litigation, James Taylor/Worthington Pond Farm

 

A motion was made by Marie Burnette, seconded by Lise Wood and unanimously voted to go into Executive Session at 8:26 p.m. for the purpose of discussing pending litigation.  The commission invited Zoning Enforcement Officer, Jim Taylor, Town Planner, Patrice Carson, and First Selectman, David Pinney to join the session.

 

The Commission came out of Executive Session at 8:38 p.m.

 

VII.            ADJOURNMENT:

 

A motion was made by Marie Burnette, seconded by Lise Wood and unanimously voted to adjourn the regular Zoning Commission meeting of September 7, 2004 at 8:39 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

A.P. Calder, Secretary                                              Robin A. Timmons, Recording Secretary

 


 

Town of Somers Zoning Enforcement Officer

For the Zoning Commission Meeting of  September 7,  2004

Covering the Weeks of   7/25/04 thru 8/29/04

Activities listed by Address

 

Zoning Permits issued ------22         Certificates of Occupancy issued----27

 

Enforcement activity:

 

1. 180 Battle St. K, Lloyd. Placement of non-permitted trailer in violation of section 214-92.C. Violation eliminated

 

 

2, 663 Main St. P. Smith. Section 214-60 (Unregistered Vehicles) . Issued Cease and Desist Order 4/21/04. Mr. Smith has agreed to Remove the subject Vehicles. Additional progress has been made toward compliance. Will continue to follow-up.

     

6. Battle Street. Lloyd Gravel Pit. Sent letter requesting restoration of this site be completed on or before July 31, 2004.

Restoration close to completion. Mr. Lloyd has requested a final inspection.

 

7, 359 Mountain  Road. Worthington Pond, LLC. Section 214-87.D. (Sales & consumption of alcoholic  beverages .Issued Cease and Desist Order. Cease and Desist Order has been appealed to the ZBA with a hearing set for Sept 14, 2004.

 

8. 60A & 60B Sunshine Farms Drive, David Birkenshaw. Section 214-104 (Failure to obtain Certificate of Occupancy). Issued Cease & Desist Order. Cease and Desist Order has been appealed to the ZBA with a hearing set of Sept. 14, 2004

 

NOTE:: Attached to the chairman’s copy of this report are copies of the 22 signed zoning permits and 27 C.O.’s

 

Respectfully submitted:

 

 

 

Jim Taylor, ZEO