PLANNING
COMMISSION
P.O.
BOX 308
Thursday,
May 25, 2006
7:00
p.m. Town
Hall
Chairman
Karl Walton called the regular meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Members Cliff Bordeaux, Brad Pellessier,
Karl Walton and Alternates Greg Genlot (seated for Mike Collins) and Georgeanne
Kuzman (seated for Michelle Hayward) were present and constituted a quorum. Also present were Town Planner Patrice
Carson and Town Engineer Merv Strauss.
II.
OLD BUSINESS
A
motion was made by Georgeanne Kuzman, seconded by Brad Pellissier and
unanimously voted to address the Old Business items out of order. Mr. Bordeaux recused himself at this
time.
b.
Zoning Referral: Special Use
Permit Application for Gravel Bank, South Road, Bordeaux
Farm
Cliff
Bordeaux explained that the gravel bank work is in its final stages. Phases 1 through 6 are complete and
Phase 7 is half-way restored.
Phases 9 and 10 are being restored and the stockpiled materials are being
distributed. The newly designated
Phase 11 is moving quickly and the cuts between 9 and 10 were
deep.
He
intended to add trees in the back but it is too late in the season for that this
year. He expects that a small area
will be used for hay as well.
Mr.
Strauss has checked the site and has submitted comments to the Planning
Staff. He explained to the
Commissioners that the site is progressing nicely and looks good, and the
$24,037 bond is sufficient.
Discussion
followed regarding the lack of a current plan at this time and it was the
consensus of the Commission to recommend that a revised plan should not be
needed since the site is changing quickly, and when the site is complete, which
should be within a year, an As-Built of the site will be
required.
A
motion was made by Brad Pellissier, seconded by Greg Genlot and unanimously
voted to recommend to the Zoning Commission approval
of Bordeaux Farms’ Special Use Permit application for a gravel bank on South
Road in accordance with the Town Engineer’s comments and with the notation that
the Planning Commission did not feel that a more current plan was required at
this time.
c.
Zoning Referral: Special Use
Permit Application for Gravel Bank, Egypt Road,
Charter
Mr.
Strauss explained that it is a very active pit and what has been proposed for
the site is nearing completion and does not have any contingencies on it. There is a $21,600.00 bond on the
site. It was noted that the site
grading connects with the Pleasant View Farms Realty gravel
bank.
A
motion was made by Greg Genlot, 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 Egypt Road in
accordance with the Town Engineer’s comments.
d.
Zoning Referral: Special Use
Permit Application for Gravel Bank, South Road, Pleasant View Farms
Realty
Mr.
Strauss commented that the site is very active, the cuts are good, and work is
moving along nicely. The line of
site is good and it was noted that there is no longer an issue with dirt being
left along the road. The bond
amount of $39,000 is sufficient.
A
motion was made by Brad Pellissier, seconded by Greg Genlot and unanimously
voted to recommend to the Zoning Commission approval
of Pleasant View Farms Realty’s Special Use Permit application for a gravel bank
on South Road in accordance with the Town Engineer’s
comments.
e.
Zoning Referral: Special Use
Permit Application for Gravel Bank, Stafford/Root/Wood Roads, Wood Gravel
Operation, LLC
The
Commissioners reviewed the plans and Mr. Strauss explained that Mr. Wood has
been making changes in the easterly and southerly ends of the site. He has removed a large number of trees
along the street from both areas and has been asked to provide a new plan and a
thorough explanation of these discrepancies from the original site
plan.
A
question arose as to whether or not the original bond estimate still fit and Mr.
Strauss responded that until he has a new plan, he cannot be certain. The Commission will wait for updated
information before they make a recommendation to the Zoning
Commission.
Mr.
Bordeaux returned to the meeting at this time.
a.
Subdivision Application #393, 23 Lots, (Gillette’s Crossing), 180 Battle
Street & 7 Eleanor Lane, KRL Builders
Ric
Leno of KRL Builders offered to answer any questions he could and presented
plans for the Subdivision, noting that Sandy Aeschliman and his engineer have
not yet had a chance to go through all of the staff
comments.
At
this time, there were no questions from the Commissioners. It was determined that a more thorough
discussion could be held on the application at the next
meeting.
f.
Other
–No other Old Business was presented.
III. NEW
BUSINESS
A
motion was made by Brad Pellissier, seconded by Georgeanne Kuzman and
unanimously voted to address the New Business Items out of
order.
b.
Zoning Referral: Site Plan
Application for Shopping Center, 85 South Road, Somers Crossing
LLC
Applicant
Chet Ladd introduced Chuck Bomley from Plan B Retail Design, who is handling the
project design for him.
Mr.
Bomley gave an overview of the plans to the Commissioners. The project is to be completed in two
Phases on the 26,000 square foot site.
He explained the intention is to have the overall site blend effectively
in with the surrounding community.
Site lighting plans and a planting schedule have both been submitted for
review by staff.
The
entrance will be lined with stone berms and will include a roundabout. All traffic will be coming and going in
the same direction. The front of
the building will allow space for normal traffic, but all loading and unloading
will be done at the rear of the building.
Mrs.
Carson distributed copies of comments received by staff from the Fire
Department, David Askew and Merv Strauss to those who had not yet received
them.
When
asked about the lighting, Mr. Bomley stated that they are planning to have
lighting fixtures with a zero-foot candle at the pavement edge, so that no
lighting will spill over into the street.
The Commissioners also were shown a photo of the proposed light
fixture. Mr. Strauss expressed
concern that there were some dark holes in the lighting
plans.
The
building surfaces will be composed of hardy plank, masonry and clapboards. No vinyl siding is to be
used.
Drainage
of water from the canopy will be handled internally so there should not be any
water falling down to create a slippery surface on the
sidewalks.
With
regard to the planting plans, Mr. Strauss expressed concern about the type of
pear trees which may be used. He
mentioned that some species grow 30 to 50 feet tall and would impact visibility
for motorists. It was also noted
that some species of fruit trees are not just ornamental in nature and may
interfere with the fruit trees at Bordeaux farms.
Georgeanne
Kuzman asked if there would be screening used to visually protect any abutters
from the view of the rear dumpsters and loading areas. Mr. Bomley explained that there is at
least a 10-foot steep rise immediately behind the building which will act as a
natural screen in addition to there being nothing back
there.
a.
Zoning Referral: Special Use
Permit Application for Gravel Bank, 164 Hampden Road, Grower Direct
Farms
This
item was deferred until the Town Engineer’s comments were
available.
c.
Other
- No other New Business was presented.
The
May 22, 2006 POCD meeting took place as scheduled and a summary of the meeting
was given for Commissioners who did not attend. The meeting included a discussion of
cistern regulations led by the Fire Marshall. Also new standards for the driveway
ordinance were considered.
Mr.
Walton noted that there is still a need for the Fire Department to develop a
fire protection plan which can be incorporated into Planning Commission
decisions.
Mrs.
Carson expects that the Whitaker Subdivision will be coming before the
Commission at the next meeting.
Mrs.
Carson presented a draft comments on the 2006/2007 Budget Verification for
review. It was the consensus of the
Commission to send the letter under the signature of the Planning Commission
Chairman.
VI.
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
- There was none.
A
memo was received from the Board of Selectmen regarding the need to use
nameplates at all Commission meetings.
A
motion was made by Cliff Bordeaux and seconded by Georgeanne Kuzman to approve
the minutes of the May 11, 2006 meeting as written by a vote of 4 in favor, 0
opposed, 1 abstention (Pellissier).
A
motion was made by Cliff Bordeaux, seconded by Georgeanne Kuzman and unanimously
voted to adjourn the May 25, 2006 Planning Commission meeting at 8:35
p.m.
Respectfully
submitted,
Brad
Pellissier, Secretary
Robin Timmons, Recording Secretary
MINUTES
ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVAL AT A SUBSEQUENT
MEETING