MINUTES ARE NOT
OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVED AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING.
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
April 11, 2006
Call To Order: Chairman Torres called the meeting to order at 7:32 P.M.
Members Present: John Torres, Edward Mack, Dan Scully, Barbara Flebotte and Bob Minch.
Chairman Torres welcomed Robert Minch as a permanent regular member to the Board.
Chairman Torres opened the public hearing at 7:33 P.M. Secretary, Dan Scully, read the legal notice. Mr. McCullough and Attorney Joseph Capossela approached the Board to request an 18.22’ variance for front yard frontage on a 42-acre plot of land for a single home and driveway located at the end of White Oak Road. Attorney Capossela cited the configuration and topography of the lot, the wetlands restraint and the zoning prohibition for cul de sac’s to be no longer than 1,200’ which prevents the applicant to lengthen the road as initially planned prior to 1996. Attorney Capossela submitted three past letters to the Conservation Commission in favor of the subdivision. They also stated there would be minimal impact to the wetlands.
Several townspeople, including abutters, approached the Board against the application with concerns of water runoff and erosion issues. Erik Gagney of 68 White Oak Road and Ed Cunningham of 77 White Oak Road questioned if the applicant was creating his own hardship when subdividing the property and submitted a CT Federation of Planning & Zoning Agencies Quarterly Newsletter, Winter 2004 entitled “Lot Division Equals Self-Created Hardship” into the record. Deanise Shewokis of 61 White Oak Road submitted photos indicating water buildup. Steve Rice of 623 Hall Hill Road cited no legal requirement to make the land a buildable lot and would like to see the acreage preserved; he was also concerned with silt and erosion. Eileen Cunningham of 77 White Oak Road was concerned about water accumulation on her adjacent property. Joseph Cardinale of White Oak Road was concerned about water backing up. Abutter at 61 White Oak Road and Terry Elgin of 58 White Oak Road was also against the application.
Anthony Liquori of Valley View Drive approached the Board to attest to Mr. McCullough’s fine work he has done and the benefits he has brought to the neighborhood.
After all members of the audience had an opportunity to speak, motion made by Commissioner Minch to close the public hearing; second by Commissioner Mack. Motion approved unanimously. The public hearing ended at 9:08 P.M. The regular business meeting continued at 9:10 P.M.
MINUTES ARE NOT
OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVED AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING.
Page 2
April 11, 2006
Minutes Approval – March 14, 2006
Motion made by Commissioner Mack to accept the ZBA March 14, 2006 Minutes as presented; second by Commissioner Flebotte. Motion approved unanimously.
Chairman Torres discussed the restriction of the cul de sac extension and wetlands as hardships. Commissioner Minch discussed the distinction between a driveway vs. a roadway and the impact to the surrounding area. The Board discussed the conditions available to specify a single residential building lot with a single driveway with frontage of 156.78’. After all discussion, a motion was made by Commissioner Flebotte to cease discussion; second by Commissioner Mack. Motion approved unanimously. Motion made by Commissioner Scully to vote on the application to allow one residential building lot with 156.78’ frontage and a single driveway on White Oak Road to Richard A. McCullough, Inc.; second by Commissioner Minch. Motion approved unanimously.
Chairman Torres submitted the 2006/2007 ZBA budget to be reviewed.
New Business: None.
Correspondence: None.
Motion made by Commissioner Mack to accept all ZBA bills including the Journal Inquirer for $629.60; second by Commissioner Flebotte. Motion approved unanimously.
Motion made by Commissioner Mack to adjourn; second by Commissioner Scully. Motion approved unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:32 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Candida M. Daigle
ZBA Clerk