TOWN OF SOMERS

PLANNING COMMISSION

P.O. BOX 308

SOMERS, CONNECTICUT 06071

 

PLANNING MINUTES

REGULAR MEETING

Thursday, September 22, 2005

7:00 p.m.     Town Hall

 

I.          CALL TO ORDER

 

Chairman Karl Walton called the regular meeting to order at 6:59 p.m.  Members Cliff Bordeaux, Mike Collins, Brad Pellissier, Karl Walton and Alternates Greg Genlot and Georgeanne Kuzman (seated for Michelle Hayward) were present and constituted a quorum.  Town Engineer Merv Strauss was also present.

 

II.        OLD BUSINESS

 

a.            Discussion/Possible Decision:  Subdivision Application #389, 1 Lot, 52 Rosehaven Road, Bemis

 

The Commission reviewed the plans which Merv Strauss explained were fairly straight forward.  While Mr. Bemis was not at the meeting, Martin and Cathy Gephardt of Rosehaven Road were present, and asked to see the application.  After reviewing the plan the Gephardts explained that the location of their own septic system was not accurately portrayed on the plan, and Mr. Strauss took care to note this on the plan.

 

Mr. Strauss also said that there is an unanswered question about the street line and he is awaiting an answer from the applicant or the engineer.

 

The Gephardts asked what would happen if the builder who purchases the property were to consider changing the position of the house on the lot, and Mr. Strauss explained that if that becomes the case, the application would need to come before the Commission once again and the neighbors would be notified.

 

b.         Other - No other Old Business was presented.

 

III.       NEW BUSINESS

 

a.         Zoning Referral:  Special Use Permit Application for Gravel Bank, South Road, Charter

 

Mr. Strauss explained that the revaluation of the bond has come in at $63,375.00 and that all of his comments have been satisfactorily addressed.

 

There were no questions or concerns and a motion was made by Brad Pellissier, seconded by Georgeanne Kuzman and unanimously voted to recommend to the Zoning Commission approval of Charter’s Special Use Permit Application for a gravel bank on South Road.

 

b.            Reconfiguration of Lots, 70 Hall Hill Road, 81 & 91 Highland View Drive (Map 07 Block 87 Lot 01, Map 07 Block 68A Lots 07 & 08) Gudmundson

 

The Commission reviewed the map of the property, showing the proposed reconfiguration of lots combining two lots with his current property.  The applicant has an existing home on Hall Hill Road and 2 lots on Highland View Drive.  By reconfiguring the lots as proposed, the Mr. Gudmundson will have one lot with frontage on Highland View Drive and Hall Hill Road.  No new lot will be created by approving this reconfiguration.

 

With no questions or concerns arising, a motion was made by Brad Pellissier, seconded by Mike Collins and unanimously voted to approve the reconfiguration of property of Gunnar Gudmundson at 70 Hall Hill Road and 81 & 91 Highland View Drive, as shown on map entitled, “Property Survey Prepared For Gunnar G. Gudmundson Showing Property at 70 Hall Hill Road & 81 & 91 Highland View Drive, Somers, Connecticut”, dated:  Aug. 23, 2005, 1 sheet.  This reconfiguration does not constitute a subdivision because no new lot is created.

 

c.            Extension of Time to File Approved Subdivision Map with Town Clerk:  Resubdivision Application #385, 1-Lot, 67 Franklin Woods Road, Boudreau

 

Applicant Nancy Boudreau was asked the amount of time she would need for an extension to file the approved subdivision map with the Town Clerk.  She responded that she was hoping to receive an extension until October.  It was the consensus of the Commission to grant a 45-day extension.

 

A motion was made by Brad Pellissier, seconded by Georgeanne Kuzman and unanimously voted to approve the request to extend the time to file a mylar with the Somers Town Clerk for Boudreau’s 1-lot resubdivision application #385 at 67 Franklin Woods Road.  This extension is granted for an additional forty-five (45) days from September 24, 2005 to November 7, 2005.

 

d.            Discussion:  Joint Meeting with Economic Development Commission

 

Karl Walton explained that it has been suggested that the Economic Development Commission be invited to attend the next joint Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting (POCD) rather than setting up an additional meeting.  It was the consensus of the Commission that the Economic Development Commission be invited to attend the next POCD meeting.

 

e.         Other – No other New Business was presented.

 

IV.            DISCUSSION:  PLAN OF CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT

 

It was noted that an October POCD meeting is not possible and now a November meeting needs to be planned.  Possible dates include either November 14 or 28, 2005.  It was the consensus of the Commission to delay selecting a date until a future meeting.

 

V.            STAFF/COMMISSIONER REPORTS

 

Mr. Walton read Town Planner, Patrice Carson’s, written report and noted that in the month of August she reviewed 19 Zoning Permits, issuing18, and reviewed 15 Certificates of Occupancy, issuing 13.

 

Among other items, Mrs. Carson has also met with developers regarding another ARH proposal, attended a Design Review Board Meeting, sent out packages for request for proposals for the Somersville Mill Project, prepared the Zoning Commission Annual Report and met with Dave Askew regarding a possible Manse Hill Subdivision.

 

Mike Collins reported that he attended a CRCOG meeting.  Among the items of interest he reported were that the average home price in Somers did not increase, contrary to those in nearby towns.  He also learned that there is very little available property in Hartford for sale, and whenever anything does become available it is purchased very quickly.

 

VI.            AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION                 There was none.

 

VII.            CORRESPONDENCE AND BILLS There were none.

 

VIII.            MINUTES APPROVAL – September 8, 2005

 

It was the consensus of the Commission defer action on this item until the next meeting.

 

IX.            ADJOURNMENT

 

A motion was made by Cliff  Bordeaux, seconded by Georgeanne Kuzman, and unanimously voted to adjourn the September 22, 2005 Planning Commission meeting at 7:30 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Brad Pellissier, Secretary                                              Robin Timmons, Recording Secretary

 

MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVAL AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING.