TOWN OF SOMERS

PLANNING COMMISSION

P.O. BOX 308

SOMERS, CONNECTICUT 06071

 

PLANNING MINUTES

REGULAR MEETING

Thursday, June 23, 2005

7:00 p.m.     Town Hall

 

I.          CALL TO ORDER

 

Commission Secretary Brad Pellissier called the regular meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.  Members Mike Collins and Brad Pellissier, and Alternate Members Georgeanne Kuzmann (seated for Michelle Hayward) and Joe Iadarola (seated for Karl Walton) were present and constituted a quorum.  Town Planner Patrice Carson was also present.  Cliff Bordeaux joined the meeting at 7:10 p.m.

 

II.        OLD BUSINESS

 

a.            Discussion/Possible Decision:  Subdivision Application #386:  1-Lot, 191 Turnpike Road, O’Shea

 

Mrs. Carson reported that the lot appraisal came in at $67,000.00, which results in an open space fee of $6,700.00.  The applicant has paid this fee as well as the Appraiser’s fee.

 

In addition, the conditions required by staff will be noted on the plans and include an erosion control narrative as well as information with respect to the culvert which needs cleaning and the swale on the northerly property line which needs to be redefined.  All pins and monuments have been set and no bond is required.

 

A motion was made by Joe Iadarola, seconded by Georgeanne Kuzman and unanimously voted to approve Brian O’Shea’s 1-lot subdivision, application #386, in accordance with the plans known as “Subdivision Plan, Brian O’Shea, 167 Pinney Road, Somers, Connecticut”, dated:  4-4-05 and 5-24-05, Revised:  through 6-14-05, 3 sheets, which is conditional on the following:

 

1.         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.

2.         All appropriate seals and signatures of the design professionals for this plan shall be on the plans.

3.         An erosion control narrative shall be added to the plan when a final site plan is submitted in accordance with the Wetlands and Erosion Control Agent’s comments of June 9, 2005.

4.         A note shall be added to the plan in accordance with the Town Sanitarian’s comments of June 6, 2005:  “The existing storm drainage culvert outlet must be cleaned out and the swale along the north property line redefined.”.

 

The Planning Commission finds with these conditions the plan meets the requirements of the Somers Subdivision Regulations.

 

At this time, Vice Chairman Cliff Bordeaux joined the meeting and assumed the position as acting Chairperson, relieving Mr. Pellissier of that responsibility.

 

b.            Discussion/Possible Decision:  Approval of Second Open Space Appraisal for Resubdivision Application #385, 1-Lot, 67 Franklin Woods Road, Boudreau

 

Mrs. Carson reminded the Commission that at the last meeting the applicants had asked if they could seek a second open space appraisal on their property.  The Commission had responded that they could do so, pending the Commission’s approval of the appraiser, and that the appraisal be completed within 30 days of the subdivision approval.

 

The Boudreaus requested that Chris Burke from Suffield, Connecticut, be permitted to prepare another open space appraisal for them.  Mrs. Carson noted that Chris Burke was considered as a replacement to the Town’s previous appraiser who passed away and had no problems with recommending him.

 

Joe Iadarola noted that if there is a second appraisal, the Commission will be faced with the dilemma of deciding which appraisal to accept.  Mrs. Carson noted that the two appraisers would be invited to come before the Commission and discuss their appraisals in the event that there is a large discrepancy between the resulting figures.

 

It was explained to Mrs. Boudreau that she needs to be aware that the Town is under no obligation to accept the second appraisal, but she does have permission to present it for the Commission to consider.

 

Mr. Iadarola and Mr. Bordeaux noted that the open space appraisal for Brian O’Shea’s lot was comparable and served as a second appraisal for comparison purposes.

 

A motion was made by Brad Pellissier, seconded by Michael Collins and unanimously voted to allow the applicants to present a second open space appraisal of their property from Appraiser Chris Burke, with the understanding that the applicant will pay for the appraisal and the Commission is under no obligation to accept the appraisal.

 

c.         Other              No other Old Business was presented.

 

III.       NEW BUSINESS

 

a.            Reconfiguration of Lots, 45 & 39 Pioneer Heights, Doyker & Gingras

 

Mrs. Carson explained that two lots are situated one behind the other and are located at the north end of Pioneer Heights.  The Doyker home is going to be sold and Mr. Gingras is interested in purchasing part of the Doyker lot before it is sold.  No new lot is created, rather the land is to be transferred from the current Doyker lot to the current Gingras lot.

 

A motion was made by Brad Pellissier, seconded by Michael Collins and unanimously voted to approve the reconfiguration of property of Albert & Donna Doyker and Gaetan Gingras at 45 and 39 Pioneer Heights, as shown on map entitled, “Lot Line Reconfiguration Plan Prepared For Property of Donna Doyker, Somers, Connecticut”, sheet 1 of 1, dated 6/16/05 with no revisions, subject to placing the correct approval boxes on the plans for Planning Commission Chairman and Town Sanitarian, with the condition that the Town Sanitarian is satisfied with the plans and signs them.  This reconfiguration does not constitute a subdivision because no new lot is created.

 

b.         Other              No other New Business was presented.

 

IV.            DISCUSSION:  PLAN OF CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT

 

Mrs. Carson reminded the Commission that the next meeting is to be in July.  At the present time it has not yet been decided whether the meeting will be on the 18th or the 25th, and a final decision will not be made until around the 15th, depending on the Zoning Commission’s agenda.  As soon as a date is determined, Mrs. Carson will notify everyone.

 

V.            STAFF/COMMISSIONER REPORTS

 

Mrs. Carson noted that the applicant’s for the age restricted housing project were moving along and needed to go before the DEP regarding the sewers before they can apply to the Planning Commission and the WPCA.  They were trying to get an application in for next month but that will probably be later in the fall.  Mrs. Carson walked the property with David Askew and it is very nice with full growth pines and white birch trees.  Since they won’t be clearing for septics they may be able to save a lot of the trees.  The site lines look good and the applicant will be presenting a traffic study.

 

VI.            AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION                 There was none.

 

VII.            CORRESPONDENCE AND BILLS There were none.

 

VIII.            MINUTES APPROVAL

 

A motion was made by Brad Pellissier, seconded by Joe Iadarola and unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the June 9, 2005 meeting as written.

 

IX.            ADJOURNMENT

 

A motion was made by Georgeanne Kuzman, seconded by Brad Pellissier and unanimously voted to adjourn the June 23, 2005 Planning Commission meeting at 7:45 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Brad Pellissier, Secretary                                              Robin Timmons, Recording Secretary

 

MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVAL AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING.