PLANNING
COMMISSION
P.O. BOX 308
Thursday, December 8,
2005
7:00 p.m. Town
Hall
Chairman Karl
Walton called the regular meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. Members Mike Collins, Michelle Hayward,
Brad Pellissier, Karl Walton, and Alternates Greg Genlot (seated for Cliff
Bordeaux), and Georgeanne Kuzman were present and constituted a quorum. Town Planner Patrice Carson was also
present.
II.
OLD BUSINESS
a.
Subdivision Application #390: 6-Lots, Lacabana Road (Off Mountain
View Road)
Jalbert
Sandy Aeschliman
presented plans for Robert Jalbert, who was in the audience, and noted that most
of the outstanding items have been addressed. Steve Jacobs had some concerns about Lot
4, but the tests have been redone and satisfactory.
Merv Strauss is
concerned about the sight line, which does not meet the required 85th
percentile (in this case 500 feet) which is 45 mph traffic. Currently there is a 330-foot sight line
and the only way to remedy this would be to lower a hump in Mountain View
Road. Doing so would not be a major
problem for the neighbors to the north, but would be a problem for the neighbor
to the east because it would increase the steepness of their driveway over
15%. Mr. Aeschliman will need to
discuss the situation further with Mr. Strauss and also with the abutting
neighbor.
Sandy Aeschliman
has asked the Department of Public Safety for traffic accident information on
the street and is waiting for their reply.
Discussion also
followed about the lots for which a shared driveway was being considered and Mr.
Aeschliman noted that now separate driveways are planned.
Storm basins are
being installed along Mountain View Road to take care of the
drainage.
In order to work
out the unfinished issues, the Commission requested an extension until January
26, 2006 for the public hearing date.
Mr. Jalbert granted the extension and will forward a letter so
stating.
A motion was
made by Brad Pellissier, seconded by Greg Genlot and unanimously voted to accept
the applicant’s extension in order to hold a public hearing to January 26,
2006.
III. NEW
BUSINESS:
a.
Special Use Permit Application for Age Restricted Housing, Shaker Road,
Gingras Development, LLC
Aris Stalis
presented plans for the applicant.
The 45-acre parcel will contain approximately 23 acres of development
with roadway that will contain sidewalks along one side. Storm drains will carry any runoff into
two detention basins. There will be
a small gazebo with a very informal, flat trail system covered with stone dust
for recreational purposes which will be approximately 1.5 miles
long.
Mr. Stalis noted
that they have received a letter from the State Traffic Commission which states
that there is no impact to the area traffic. The entrance will have two lights and
more lights will be installed along the roadway. Each of these will have a 60-watt bulb
fixture, which is designed to maintain a village-like
feel.
The State of
Connecticut has also given approval to the extension of the public water system
and the sewage treatment plant.
Plans have been submitted to the DEP for review. Water will be taken care of by
Hazardville Water Company and fire hydrants will be installed. WPCA met last night and there is a
hearing that will be scheduled.
Each unit will
have a mailbox, a 2-car garage and 2 parking spaces. There will be no additional street
parking as requested by the Fire Department.
Based upon the
100-year storm study, the neighboring farmland will not flood. The proposed drainage system actually
reduces runoff on the site.
Maintenance of the drainage system still needs to be addressed, but the
applicant will keep the Commission advised.
Mrs. Carson
noted that the applicant has been very responsive with the staff and has worked
very hard. Most of the issues have
been taken care of. A public
hearing will need to be scheduled after all staff reviews are in, and they have
been requested by December 30.
At 7:30 p.m.
Michelle Hayward left the meeting and Georgeanne Kuzman was seated for
her.
b.
Reconfiguration of Lots, 455 & 465 Ninth District Road (Map 01,
Blocks 33 & 34) Bernier
Mrs. Carson presented plans
for the applicant showing the lot reconfiguration which is intended to separate
the house from the remaining buildings on the lot. The applicants expect to eventually
convert the barn into a house and the reconfiguration provides adequate frontage
and acreage for both lots.
Discussion followed that
the new lot lines provide adequate distance between the driveway and the new
property line.
A
motion was made by Brad Pellissier, seconded by Georgeanne Kuzman and
unanimously voted to approve the reconfiguration of property of John C. &
Jennifer W. Bernier at 455 & 465 Ninth District Road (Map 01 Blocks 33 &
34), as shown on map entitled, “Lot Line Adjustment #455 Ninth District Road,
Prepared For John Bernier, Somers, Conn.”, dated: 11-2-05, Revised: through 12-5-05, 1 sheet. This reconfiguration does not constitute
a subdivision because no new lot is created.
c.
Reconfiguration of Lots, 16 Egypt Road and 65 Sunshine Farms Drive (Map
02, Blocks 14 & 18, Lots 04 & 06)
Barnes
The Commission
reviewed the plans for the applicant showing that the reconfiguration will make
one of the lots more conforming.
A
motion was made by Brad Pellissier, seconded by Georgeanne Kuzman and
unanimously voted to approve the reconfiguration of property of Deborah Barnes
at 16 Egypt Road & 65 Sunshine Farms Drive (Map 02, Blocks 14 & 18, Lots
04 & 06), as shown on map entitled, “General Location Survey Prepared For
Steve Barnes & Deborah A. Barnes Showing Proposed Lotline Revision, 16 Egypt
Road, Somers, Connecticut”, dated:
April 4, 2005, Revised:
through 12-05-05, 1 sheet.
This reconfiguration does not constitute a subdivision because no new lot
is created.
d.
Release of Performance Bond/Acceptance of Maintenance Bond & Roads,
Cook Road, Hangdog Lane & Lovers Lane, Cooksville @ Indian Rock Subdivision,
Dan Roulier & Associates
Mrs. Carson
explained that the applicant has finished up all loose ends. Public Works, Merv Strauss and Patrice
Carson have all checked the site and they have received all the deeds. A decision is still pending on the
maintenance bond figure.
A motion was made by Greg Genlot, seconded by Georgeanne Kuzman and unanimously voted to approve the release of Dan Roulier & Associates, Inc.’s performance bond of $210,500.00, and accept a maintenance bond in an amount acceptable to the Town Engineer, and accept Cook Road, Hangdog Lane, and Lovers Lane, the roads in the Subdivision known as “Cooksville @ Indian Rock”, and recommend the same to the Board of Selectmen for their approval and Town Meeting, in accordance with the recommendations of the Town Attorney, Town Engineer and Public Works Department that all work in the subdivision has been completed according to plan. This release is contingent upon the presentation of a maintenance bond in an amount acceptable to the Town Engineer and in a form acceptable to the Town Attorney.
The next joint
meeting is this coming Monday, December 12, beginning at 7:00pm. The Commission will also be attending
the Finance Board meeting in support of the Town purchasing the Whitaker
Property. The next joint meeting
with the Economic Development Commission is scheduled for Monday, March 27,
2006.
None were presented.
A motion was
made by Georgeanne Kuzman, seconded by Greg Genlot, and unanimously voted to
adjourn the December 8, 2005 Planning Commission meeting at 8:05
p.m.
Respectfully
submitted,
Brad Pellissier,
Secretary
Robin Timmons, Recording Secretary
MINUTES ARE NOT
OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVAL AT A SUBSEQUENT
MEETING.