PLANNING
COMMISSION
P.O.
BOX 308
Thursday,
July 13, 2006
Town
Hall 7:00
p.m.
Vice
Chairman Cliff Bordeaux called the regular meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Members Cliff Bordeaux, Mike Collins,
Brad Pellessier, and Alternates Georgeanne Kuzman, Greg Genlot (seated for Karl
Walton) and Joe Iadarola (seated for Michelle Hayward) were present and
constituted a quorum. Town Planner
Patrice Carson was also present.
II.
OLD BUSINESS
Engineering
Consultant Mervyn Strauss joined the meeting via telephone during Items a. and
b.
a.
Subdivision Application #393, 24 Lots (Gillette’s Crossing), 180 Battle
Street & 7 Eleanor Lane, KRL Builders (08/03)
Mr.
Leno briefly reviewed the plans with the Commission. Sandy Aeschliman has handled most of the
final housekeeping items, with the exception of road name changes and the
notation regarding the open space delineation. Mr. Leno is trying to reach Mr. Dauphin
and has not yet heard from the Rushes.
Mrs.
Carson reported that Public Works and the Fire Department are in favor of the
proposed road change. Mrs. Carson
stated that the Commission had to begin the public hearing by the next Planning
meeting to stay within the statutory time frame.
A
motion was made by Mr. Genlot, seconded by Mr. Iadarola and unanimously voted to
set a public hearing date for August 3, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. in the Town
Hall.
b.
Zoning Referral: Site Plan
Application for Shopping Center, 85 South Road, Somers Crossing
LLC
Chet
Ladd and Chuck Bomley from Plan B Retail Design presented revised plans for the
Shopping Center. They are seeking
approval of the first phase of development consisting of a Geissler’s
supermarket as well as satellite space adjacent to it. They have reviewed parking and
engineering and site lighting with staff.
The
design concept is like a village main street rather than a shopping center. The intention is to have relief to the
buildings. They will use a
combination of masonry and stucco-style materials in a variety of shades and
colors. No vinyl siding will be
used. Flat awnings will be used as
well.
Landscaping
has been reviewed with staff and a few changes in species of trees have been
included. Mr. Strauss noted that
the ratio of parking spaces to trees needs to include one more tree and Mr.
Bomley explained that this would be no problem. There is a notation on the plans that a
watering system will be included.
All of the landscaping is to be on the north side of the access
road.
Regular
vehicle traffic will flow through a round-about. All trucks will be directed away from
the regular traffic and to the rear of the buildings for receiving. There will be routing around the
building so that trucks can pass one another.
Mr.
Strauss reported that he has reviewed the traffic report for the first phase and
it has been sent to DOT for review.
The required stop bar and sign will need to be shown on the plans. He noted that the sidewalk is proposed
to extend on the private property of Somers Crossing, which will require an
11-foot easement to the Town that needs to be included on the plans and a copy
submitted prior to approval for the Town Attorney to
review.
Regarding
the lighting plan, Mr. Strauss checked it against the IES standard and still
found there to be some dark spots, particularly where the lighting level goes
across the front of Geisslers. He
has a map which he has colored up showing the dark areas and will go over this
with the applicant. He also
recommended that lighting be included at the entrance. DOT may have specific requirements for
or against such lighting, however.
It
was the consensus that since there were still some questions regarding the
lighting plan, Mr. Strauss will meet with Mr. Bomley and a representative from
the lighting manufacturer to discuss lighting in more
detail.
Mr.
Strauss expressed concern that there is not enough room from the easterly wall
at the rear of the building so that trucks can adequately turn. Discussion followed about this and Mr.
Bomley explained that the pictoral shown on the map is not very clear. If necessary, a hammerhead could be
added. Mr. Bomley will have the
design forwarded to Bazutto’s traffic department (they are the deliverer to
Geisslers) for review and will report back to Mr. Strauss.
Mrs.
Carson explained that she and Mr. Bomley talked with Fire Chief Meier
today. The department needs to be
sure there is an unobstructed 40-foot area for the fire trucks to turn in. At this point, Chief Meier is
comfortable with what is included on the plan which includes a 10-foot grassy
strip in the rear where only 30 feet is shown. The positioning of the fire hydrants has
not yet been determined.
Copies
of the handicap easement, the sidewalk easement, and all other cross easements
will need to be forwarded to the Town Attorney for review prior to any Zoning
Commission approval. Mr. Strauss
noted that the flared ramp transition cannot exceed 1:10 on the handicap
access.
A
motion was made by Mr. Iadarola, seconded by Mr. Pellissier and unanimously
voted to recommend to the Zoning Commission approval of Somers Crossing LLC’s
application for a shopping center at 85 South Road with the following
conditions:
1.
There should be a 1”=500’ scale key map on the
plans.
2.
One additional tree needs to be planted in the parking area to meet the
landscaping requirements.
3.
More detail needs to be provided for the sidewalk across the front of the
property and a sidewalk needs to be shown coming into the property up the access
road.
4.
All easements (sidewalk, cross easements, etc.) need to be submitted for
review by the Town Attorney prior to any final approval.
5.
Adjustment needs to be made to the handicap access ramp plans so that the
flared ramp transition will not exceed 1:10.
6.
The lighting plan needs to meet with the Town Engineer’s satisfaction so
that the lighting levels are correct.
7.
The applicant will send the truck and loading dock patterns to Bozuttos
for confirmation that trucks can use them with a report back to the Town
Engineer for review.
8.
There is agreement that the Fire Chief will have to approve the location
of the fire hydrants, size of fire suppression service, fire lanes on side and
front of building, and mountable curbs and grassed area.
c.
Discussion/Possible Decision:
Subdivision Application #394, 3 Lots (Whitaker Property, Wells Road &
Mountain View Road, Town of Somers
Mrs.
Carson reviewed the plans briefly with the Commissioners and audience
members. She explained that the
Town is currently awaiting a response from the Conservation
Commission.
d.
Other
- No other Old Business was presented.
III. NEW
BUSINESS
a.
Reconfiguration of Lots, 600 Hall Hill Road (Map 10, Block 10),
Hallam
Attorney
John Parks addressed the Commission on behalf of Robert and Barbara Hallam. He explained that the applicants bought
the two lots in 1958 and were seeking to change the configuration of the land so
that they can keep their home and 5 acres surrounding it, while designating the
remaining parcel for potential subdivision.
Attorney
Parks reviewed the history of the lots, explaining how this application is a
reconfiguration rather than a subdivision.
A
motion was made by Greg Genlot, seconded by Brad Pellissier and unanimously
voted to approve the reconfiguration of property of Robert M. and Barbara Hallam
at 600 & 590 Hall Hill Road (Map 10 Block 10 Lots 00 & 01), as shown on
a map entitled, “Lot Line Revision Plan Prepared for Lester Fontaine, Somers,
Connecticut”, dated 3/30/06 revised 06-20-06, 1 sheet. This reconfiguration does not constitute
a subdivision because no new lot is created.
b.
Other - No other New Business was
presented.
This
item was deferred.
VI.
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
- There was none.
A
motion was made by Mr. Pellissier, seconded by Mr. Genlot and unanimously voted
to approve the minutes of June 22, 2006 as written.
A
motion was made by Mr. Pellissier, seconded by Mr. Genlot and unanimously voted
to adjourn the July 13, 2006 Planning Commission meeting at 9:00
p.m.
Respectfully
submitted,
Brad
Pellissier, Secretary
Robin Timmons, Recording Secretary
MINUTES
ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVAL AT A SUBSEQUENT
MEETING.