PLANNING
COMMISSION
P.O. BOX 308
Thursday, September 9,
2004
7:00
p.m.
Town
Hall
I.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
a.
Continuation: Subdivision
Application #376, 5-Lots, Hall Hill Road (Bridle Path Ridge, Richard A.
McCullough, Inc. Builders
Chairman Karl
Walton called the public hearing to order at 7:00pm. Town Planner Patrice Carson read the
legal notice dated. She also stated
that the applicant is almost to the end of the allowable extensions and if the
public hearing should have to be extended it could not go beyond September 17,
2004.
Mike Mocko,
environmental consultant for the applicant, presented revised plans to correct
the problem with the existing banks that slope steeply and affect the current
sight line at the Valley View intersection with Hall Hill Road. He is proposing a 2 to 1 slope and
stated the grading should accomplish at least a 500 foot line of sight in both
directions. He added that the
plan would provide the maximum correction in accordance with the State DOT
regulations and included this work in the bond estimate as part of the
subdivision. He stated that
revisions had been made according to what the Town Planner and Consulting
Engineer had requested.
The proposed
driveway is on a straightaway and vegetation will be moved to provide the best
sightline.
Patrice Carson
stated that the improvements sounded like what she had discussed with DOT during
a site meeting but neither the plans nor the bond estimate have been presented
for her or the Town Engineer to review.
Chairman Karl
Walton asked for comments from the audience and there were
none.
The Commission
decided a special meeting would be scheduled on Thursday, September 16. It was determined that Mr. Mocko would
deliver a set of plans to the planning office and Town Engineer by Monday,
September 13. Karl said everything
needs to be done so that staff could have time to review
it.
The applicant
granted an extension until Thursday, September 16th. A motion was made by Brad Pellissier,
seconded by Georgeanne Kuzman, and unanimously voted to accept the applicant’s
extension and continue the public hearing until Thursday, September 16 at
7:00pm.
b.
Subdivision Application #381, 2-Lots, Colton Road,
Goold
Town Planner Patrice Carson read the
legal notice. Sandy Aeschliman
presented plans for the 2-Lot subdivision application.
Mr. Aeschliman stated that he thought he
had met all of the requirements of staff, and Mrs. Carson and Mr. Strauss
agreed. He added that the Fire
Marshall had requested a fire hydrant and the applicant proposed placing it in
the recommended area.
It was determined that if the fire
hydrant, which needs to be paid for by the applicant, is installed within 65
days, then there would be no need for a $10,000.00 bond for
it.
Barbara Griffith, 25 Colton
Road, stated that there
had always been “wetlands” in the area and there was quite a bit of standing
water that settles in the area, and she was concerned that if the lot were
filled, water would go into her lot.
She was also concerned that the curve on the site is dangerous and hoped
that it would be addressed.
Mrs. Carson stated that she and the town
sanitarian had walked the site and the soil scientist had checked the area and
there were no “wetlands” on the parcel.
The applicant stated that a swale would
be installed to keep sheet flow from flowing on the Griffith
property.
Charles Griffith, 25 Colton
Road, asked was the
parcel illegally subdivided. Mr.
Aeschliman said that in 1955 someone had divided the parcel, but at that time it
was not a legal subdivision.
A motion was made by Brad Pellissier,
seconded by Cliff Bordeaux and unanimously voted to close the public hearing at
7:50pm.
II. CALL
TO ORDER:
Chairman Karl
Walton called the regular meeting to order at 7:51pm. Members Clifford Bordeaux, Brad
Pellissier and Karl Walton and Alternate Members Georgeann Kuzman (seated for
Michelle Hayward), Greg Genlot (seated for Michael Collins) and Joe Iadorola
were present and constituted a quorum.
Also in attendance were: Patrice Carson, Town Planner, and Merv Strauss,
Town Consulting Engineer.
III. AUDIENCE
PARTICIPATION
There
was none.
IV. OLD
BUSINESS
a.
Discussion/Possible Decision:
Subdivision Application #376, 5-Lots, Hall Hill Road (Bridle Path Ridge),
Richard A. McCullough, Inc. Builders
This
item was deferred to the next meeting.
b.
Discussion/Possible Decision:
Subdivision Application #381, 2-Lots, Colton Road,
Goold
There was no
further discussion about the application.
A motion was made by Brad Pellessier, seconded by Georgeann Kuzman and
unanimously voted to approve David Goold’s 2-lot resubdivision, application
#381, in accordance with the plans known as “Subdivision Plan, Colton Road
Subdivision, Prepared For David Goold, Somers, Conn”, dated: 6-17-04, Revised: through 7-19-04, 3 sheets, which is
conditional on the following:
1.
A note shall be placed on the plans:
“The filing of a $4,000.00 fee in lieu of open space ($2,000.00 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.
3.
A copy of the transfer of any of the lots 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. Since there are no wetlands on the
property a letter from the Soil Scientist clarifying this may be
received.
6.
Within 65 days of this approval all iron pins and monuments be set and
certified and a fire hydrant installed in accordance with the plans or a $10,000
bond received by the Town in accordance with Section 213-54.c. of the
Subdivision Regulations.
7.
The plan shall show a drainage swale on the easterly side of lot #2 to
direct all water onto lot #2.
The Commission
waives the requirement in Section 213-11.A.(2) of the Subdivision Regulations
which requires the plan to be at a 1”=40’ scale map to allow the plan to be
shown at 1”=20’.
The Commission
waives the requirement in Section 213-22.C. of the Subdivision Regulations which
requires, where practicable lot lines to be either at right angles or radial to
street lines.
The Planning
Commission finds with these conditions the plan meets the requirements of the
Somers Subdivision Regulations.
c.
Discussion/Possible Decision:
Subdivision Application #379, 4-Lots, 47 Stafford Road,
Kane
Dave Palmberg of
Willliam R. Palmberg, Land Surveyors, presented the plans for the applicant for
the 4-lot subdivision on the northerly side of Stafford Road, consisting of
approximately 9.6 acres in Somers.
He said that as a result of the previous meeting, he notified all
abutters including the Massachusetts residents and brought a set of plans to
Hampden, MA for people to be able to review there.
He said that as
part of the proposal, no roadways were being proposed and one estate lot is
being considered. There is a
limiting factor of a CL&P right of way and there are extensive wetlands on
the remaining land which is mostly in Massachusetts.
Addressing the
right of way width, the applicant has agreed to convey a portion of land to the
town to provide for the correct right of way.
A motion was
made by Cliff Bordeaux, seconded by Brad Pellissier, and unanimously voted to
approve Michael Kane’s 4-lot subdivision, application #379, in accordance with
the plans known as “Subdivision Plan Prepared For Michael Kane, Somers,
Connecticut”, dated: 6-17-04,
Revised: through 8-24-04, 5 sheets,
which is conditional on the following:
1.
A note shall be placed on the plans:
“The filing of a $8,000.00 fee in lieu of open space ($2,000.00 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.
A copy of the transfer of any of the lots shall be filed by the applicant
with the Planning Office.
3.
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.
4.
All appropriate seals and signatures of the design professionals and Soil
Scientist for this plan shall be on the plans.
5.
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 received by the Town in
accordance with Section 213-54.c. of the Subdivision Regulations. The pins shown on the plan at the
extreme east and west street frontage corners shall be
monuments.
6.
The area for the Total Parcel needs to be shown on the plan in square
feet and the buildable area for the Total Area needs to be shown on the plan in
acres and square feet.
7.
All deeds and easements regarding this property (drainage easement and
road frontage conveyance, etc.) must be presented to the Town for approval by
the Town Attorney prior to the sale of any lot.
8.
The wetland note that appears on sheet #2 shall be placed on sheets 3 and
4.
The Planning
Commission finds with these conditions the plan meets the requirements of the
Somers Subdivision Regulations.
V. NEW
BUSINESS:
a.
Zoning Referral: Site Plan
Application for Change of Use to Salon/Day Spa and Addition, 67 South Road,
Wurdig
Mike
Mocko presented the plans on behalf of the applicant regarding a business with a
one-story addition and changes to the parking area that would include a circular
flow. He stated that while the way
it is set up now will result in traffic crossing over each other, there will not
be a lot of traffic. Grading on the
site is complicated in that the handicap access will have to be set up the
driveway will be moved slightly in order to conform with
regulations.
Regarding
landscaping, Mr. Mocko stated that he would like to continue the same theme as
is there now. There are two large
maples in front that are in the way, but by trimming the plants and shrubs in
front of the building, there would be no real need for additional landscaping
and it would be hard to maintain the line of sight. Mr. Strauss said that he had not yet
reviewed the landscaping plan.
The
question arose as to where the dumpster would be and the applicant stated that
none would be needed. She also
stated that packages are delivered by UPS on occasion and discussion followed as
to whether or not a delivery truck could make the turn into the parking
area.
It
was the consensus of the Commission to defer deciding on the application until
the September 16, 2004 meeting.
b.
Zoning Referral: Site Plan
Application for Change of Use to Tee Shirt Distribution & Print Facility, 23
Eleanor Road, Eleanor Road Business Center
The
applicant, Steve Riley, presented his plan to rehabilitate the existing building
which sits on 6 acres and use the basement area for a tee shirt distribution and
print facility. He has adequate
parking and is not changing the outside of the building.
A
motion was made by Brad Pellessier, seconded by Georgeann Kuzman and unanimously
voted to recommend to the Zoning Commission approval of the site plan at 23
Eleanor Drive as an excellent use of an existing building in an Industrial
Zone.
c.
2003–2004 Annual Report
The
Commission reviewed the annual report presented by the Town Planner Patrice
Carson. A motion was made by Brad
Pellessier, seconded by Cliff Bordeaux and unanimously voted to approve the
annual report as written and forward it appropriately.
d.
Other
Patrice
Carson asked to have two items added to the agenda and a motion was made by Brad
Pellessier, seconded by Georgeanne Kuzman and unanimously voted to add the
following two items to the agenda.
Reconfiguration of Lots 664
and 648 Springfield Road Vamvilis
Town
Planner Patrice Carson presented the plans to the Commission explaining that
applicant wished to combine two lots into one.
A
motion was made by Cliff Bordeaux, seconded by Georgeanne Kuzman and unanimously
voted to approve the reconfiguration of property of Nicholas P. & Kathleen
Vamvilis at 664 Springfield Road (Map 11 Block 82 Lot 20) & 648 Springfield
Road (Map 11 Block 82 Lot 04), as shown on map entitled, “Combined Lot Plan
Prepared For Nick Vamvillis, Enfield, Connecticut”, dated: 12-29-03, 1 sheet. This reconfiguration does not constitute
a subdivision because no new lot is created.
Bond Release Harvest Hill
Subdivision
Merv
Strauss stated that he had reviewed the culvert work done in Phase I of the
Harvest Hill Subdivision on Turnpike Road and it was
satisfactory.
A
motion was made by Brad Pellessier, seconded by Georgeanne Kuzman and
unanimously voted to release the bond for culvert work in Phase I of the Harvest
Hill Subdivision in the amount of $229,815.00 upon the receipt of the bond for
Phase II of $182,514.00.
VI.
STAFF/COMMISSIONER REPORTS
Patrice
Carson reported working on the following items: The Annual Reports for the Zoning and
Planning Commissions; requests from the Lomanginos regarding open space; helping
CCROG with their report on Stafford Road; and helped someone regarding setting
up a Chinese takeout, as well as all the items currently on the Planning
agenda.
Chairman
Karl Walton also stated that he and Patrice Carson would be attending a Freedom
of Information hearing on September 14, 2004.
VII. AUDIENCE
PARTICIPATION
There
was none.
VIII. CORRESPONDENCE AND
BILLS
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 an 8-lot subdivision at 16 Rocky Dundee Road and is
being held because the site is within 500 feet of the town
line.
Notice
was received of CCM’s Annual Conference on October 14,
2004.
Bills
included:
Calendar Planner
$38.00
Notice of Public Hearings in the Journal Inquirer
$274.68
Planimetrics
$3,187.11
A
motion was made by Brad Pellissier, seconded by Georganne Kuzman and unanimously
voted to pay the bills.
IX. MINUTES APPROVAL
The following
changes were made to the June 24, 2004 minutes: On Pages 2, 3 and 6: Change Wayne Casey to Wayne Kessee. A motion was made by Brad Pellissier,
seconded by Georgeanne Kuzman and unanimously voted to approve the minutes of
June 24, 2004 as amended.
A motion was
made by Georgeanne Kuzman, seconded by Brad Pellissier and unanimously voted to
approve the minutes of July 19, 2004 as written.
A motion was
made by Cliff Bordeaux, seconded by Georgeanne Kuzman and unanimously voted to
approve the minutes of July 29, 2004 as written.
The following
change was made to the August 5, 2004 minutes: On Page 4: Change Georgeanne Guzman to Georgeanne
Kuzman. A motion was made by
Georgeanne Kuzman, seconded by Greg Genlot and unanimously voted to approve the
minutes of August 5, 2004 as amended.
X.
ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was
made by Georgeanne Kuzman, seconded by Cliff Bordeaux and unanimously voted to
adjourn the regular meeting of September 9, 2004 at 9:25
p.m.
Respectfully
submitted,
Brad Pellissier, Secretary
Robin A. Timmons, Recording Secretary