ZONING
COMMISSION
P.O. BOX 308
Monday, March 7,
2005
7:00 p.m. Town
Hall
I.
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Peter
Klein called the regular meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Members Calder, Chipouras, Klein,
Martin, Wood, and Alternate Members Conklin, Normand and Smith were present and
constituted a quorum. Town Planner
Patrice Carson was also in attendance.
For the minutes approval, Jon Normand was seated for Peter Klein and Wes Smith was seated for A.P. Calder. A motion was made by Robert Martin, seconded by Jon Normand and unanimously voted to approve the Minutes of the February 22, 2005 meeting correcting the day of the meeting as “Tuesday” instead of Monday.
III.
OLD
BUSINESS
a.
Discussion/Possible Decision:
Site Plan Application for Change of Use to Retail Store, Tommy’s
Supplies, 11 South Road, Unit 9, Ringwalt
The
applicant was present. The Chairman
asked what was in this business space previously and was told a Karate
School. The Planning Commission
recommended approval of the business as appropriate in the Business zone. Any signs would need a separate
application to ZEO Jim Taylor for approval.
A
motion was made by Robert Martin, seconded by Peter Chipouras and unanimously
voted to approve Thomas Ringwalt’s Site Plan Application for a change of use to
Retail Store, Tommy’s Supplies, at 11 South Road, Unit 9.
A motion was made by Lise Wood, seconded by Peter Chipouras and unanimously voted to take the agenda out of order to take up New Business first because the applicant was present.
IV.
NEW
BUSINESS
a.
Site Plan Application for Change of Use to Retail Store, 12 South Road,
Dwyer
Erica
Dwyer, the applicant, presented a statement of purpose. She has a farm where she raises alpacas
and a store selling alpaca products, both in Hampden, MA and wants to
expand. She plans to open a
knitting/yarn/gift store on the Dunkin Donuts side of the building and would
like to open July 1. Her hours of
operation would start at 10:00am and would not interfere with the coffee rush in
the morning.
A
motion was made by Rob Martin, seconded by Lise Wood and unanimously voted to
accept Ms. Dwyer’s application for a change of use and refer it to the Planning
Commission.
b.
Other
There
was no other New Business.
III.
OLD
BUSINESS
a.
Discussion: Plan of
Conservation and Development
Patrice
Carson handed out a copy of the soil-based zoning regulations that Washington,
CT has used since 1976 and reported that the joint meeting with the Planning
Commission will be on Wednesday, March 16 at 7:00pm. Mrs. Carson has requested a
representative from Washington, CT attend the joint meeting, but due to the long
distance drive, it seemed unlikely that someone would be able to make it. Mrs. Carson will see if there is a way
to speak by telephone at the meeting if necessary. All Commissioners were asked to review
the regulations and try to get any questions to Patrice prior to the meeting so
that she can get answers.
b.
Other
Wes Smith was unable
to attend “Connecticut Land
Use Law for Municipal Land Use Agencies, Boards, and Commissions”, on March 5,
2005 at Wesleyan University
because it was filled.
V.
STAFF/COMMISSIONER
REPORTS
ZEO
Jim Taylor’s report was handed out.
Peter Klein reported that the ZEO’s hours had been cut by the Board of
Selectmen. A motion was made by
Peter Chipouras, seconded by Lise Wood and unanimously voted to accept the ZEO’s
report.
Patrice
Carson reported that she had spoken with the Architect working for the doctor
who received approval in December to convert the old Donut Shop to a medical
office. They are still finalizing
plans for the building and still intend to go ahead with the
project.
VI.
CORRESPONDENCE AND
BILLS No
bills or additional correspondence were presented.
VII.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was
made by Lise Wood, seconded by Rob Martin and unanimously voted to adjourn the
Zoning Commission meeting of March 7, 2005 at 7:57 p.m.
Respectfully
submitted,
A.P. Calder,
Secretary
MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVAL
AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING.
Town of Somers Zoning
Enforcement Officer
For the Zoning Commission
Meeting of March 7, 2005
Covering the Weeks of 2/6/2005 thru 2/27/2005 Activities listed by
Address
Zoning Permits issued
-----2
Certificates of Occupancy issued----2
Enforcement
activity:
1.
64 Field Road, McAvoy’s Martial Arts. Section 214-98 (Operating business without
Site Plan approval by the Commission. Requested Compliance. 2/28/05 Violation
Eliminated
2,
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. 9/20/04, The ZBA hearing has been continued to October 19,
2004. The ZBA voted to uphold the C&D order. Mr. Roulier has appealed the
ZBA decision to the Superior Court. Case Pending.
3.
20 Haas Rd. R. Olden, Sections 214-101 (failure to obtain building permit) and
214-38 (housing farm animals less than 200 feet from the property lines as
required. Issued C & D Order. 11/23/04 Referred file to Town Atty. 2/28/05
Resolution pending. This may not be resolved until late
spring.
4.
112 Main St., F. Vono. Sections 214-101 (Failure to obtain Site Plan Approval
and 214-98A (Exceeding Lot Coverage with Pavement). Issued C & D Order.
2/04/05 Mr. Vono has met with Land Use Department. Resolution Pending. 2/28/05
No Change.
5.
Mailed Gravel Permit renewal letters/notices to the four operating gravel
pit operators stating that they
should have their renewal applications submitted to the Commission on or before
April 18, 2005.
NOTE:: Attached to the chairman’s
copy of this report are copies of the 2 signed zoning permits and 2
C.O.s.
Respectfully submitted:
James R.
Taylor
Zoning Enforcement
Officer