ZONING
COMMISSION
P.O. BOX 308
Monday, April 25,
2005
7:00 p.m. Town
Hall
I.
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Peter
Klein called the special meeting to order at 7:00pm. 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.
II.
OLD
BUSINESS
a.
Discussion/Possible Decision:
Site Plan Application for Change of Use to Dance Studio, 12 South Road,
Stanley
Mrs.
Carson reported that the Planning Commission recommended approval of this use in
the Business zone. Mr. Stanley
stated that the floor plan was up to the builder but they had suggested changing
it around to accommodate a rear entrance.
The studio will operate Monday thru Thursday after school and Saturday
mornings. The owner of the studio,
Mrs. Stanley, will enforce a drop off and pick up policy, and congestion would
be minimized because classes would be staggered with 15 minutes between each
class. Mr. Stanley also reported
that there is extra parking on the neighboring property by permission behind the
gas station.
A
motion was made by Lise Wood, seconded by A.P. Calder and unanimously voted to
approve Stanley’s Site Plan application for a change of use to a Dance Studio at
12 South Road.
b.
Discussion/Possible Decision:
Site Plan Application for Change of Use to Gift Shop, 635 Main Street,
Dahill
Mrs.
Carson reported that the Planning Commission recommended approval of this use in
the Business zone. Mrs. Carson also
reported that Mrs. Dahill explained that the store was run on consignment as
opposed to a barter system. In
addition, the gift shop will take up the entire first floor of the
building.
A
motion was made by A.P. Calder, seconded by Lise Wood and unanimously voted to
approve Dahill’s Site Plan application for a change of use to Gift Shop at 635
Main Street with 3 conditions: 1)
the “garden cart” mentioned in Dahill’s narrative cannot block sight line; 2) all signs will have to be approved by
the ZEO; and 3) no items may be
displayed in/on the front yard of the property with the exception of the “garden
cart”.
III.
DISCUSSION: PLAN OF CONSERVATION &
DEVELOPMENT
Chairman
Klein reviewed the discussion about soil-based zoning and how it may not be what
the Commissioners had in mind, so Mrs. Carson was trying to get information on
Open Space zoning. The Town of
Granby has had open space zoning and Mrs. Carson was trying to get a guest
speaker to come to the next meeting.
Mr. Klein felt that the Zoning Commission may have too much business on
their May 16 agenda and it was also a Board of Selectmen meeting night. Provided the guest speaker and Planning
Commissioners could come, the Commission chose to change the date of the joint
meeting to Monday, May 23 which would also allow the Board of Selectmen to
attend if they wanted.
IV.
STAFF/COMMISSIONER
REPORTS
The
Commission reviewed copies of the ZEO’s report which was distributed. Lise Wood expressed concern regarding
the ZEO’s note about not having enough hours and people complaining that they
could not get in touch with him. A
motion was made by Lise Wood, seconded by Peter Chipouras and unanimously voted
to accept the ZEO’s report.
V.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was
made by Lise Wood, seconded by Rob Martin and unanimously voted to adjourn the
Zoning Commission meeting of April 25, 2005 at 7:27pm.
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 April 26, 2005
Covering the Weeks of 4/3/2005 thru 4/17/2005 Activities listed by
Address
Zoning Permits issued
-----17
Certificates of Occupancy issued----4
Enforcement
activity:
1.
South Rd., Lipton Gravel Pit. Poor condition of tracking pad allowing trucks to
track mud and gravel material onto route 83. Mr. Lipton has taken action to
eliminate this problem. Inspected
3/31/05. Additional corrective action must be taken to completely resolve
this matter. 4/21/05 Tracking Pad/Driveway has been replaced with new paving.
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.
36 School St. D. Jones. Section 214-98 (Storage of Junk). Requested
Compliance.
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. 3/31/05 Land Use Department is working with Mr. Vono to resolve this
matter. 4/21/05 Additional progress has been made.
5.
60 Springfield Rd., J. Gosselin. Section 214-56.B. & C. (Signs to be removed
due to businesses being closed). Requested Compliance. 3/31/05 No Change, A
C&D Order may be necessary.
6.
169 Main St. Extra Mart. Section 214-58.2 (Temp Sign) 4/21/05 Violation
Eliminated.
7.
78 Michele Dr. J. Trask. Section 214-101 (Failure to obtain Zoning Permit) and
Section 214-98.A. (Failure to comply with front yard set-back requirement).
Requested Compliance. 4/21/05 Owner has applied for a
Variance.
8.
482 Pinney Rd. T. Hinkle. Section 214-101 (Failure to obtain Zoning Permit) and
Section 214-98.A. (Failure to comply with front yard set-back requirement).
Requested Compliance. Owner is in process of applying for a
Variance.
9. 507 Main St., S. Lombard. Section 214-57
(Non-Permitted Signs). Requested Compliance.
10.
111 Main St. DLB Realty. Section 214098.B (Failure to obtain Site Plan Approval
for new Business. Requested Compliance.
NOTE: It should be noted that
there is an increasing amount of dissatisfaction from people needing the
services of the ZEO in a timely manner due to the decreased work
hours.
NOTE:: Attached to the chairman’s
copy of this report are copies of the 17 signed zoning permits and 4
C.O.
Respectfully
submitted:
James R.
Taylor
Zoning Enforcement
Officer