ZONING
COMMISSION
P.O. BOX 308
March 5,
2007
Town
Hall - 7:00
p.m.
I.
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Robert
Martin called the regular meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. Members Jill Conklin, Ray Hafford,
Robert Martin and Alternate Member Daniel Fraro (seated for Wes Smith) were
present and constituted a quorum.
Town Planner Patrice Carson was also present.
The
Commissioners welcomed Ray Hafford as a new member of the
Commission.
Mrs. Carson
reported that Anita Calder has requested a short leave of absence from the
Commission so that she may recover from an injury.
II.
INTERVIEW DESIGN REVIEW BOARD CANDIDATES
No new candidates were present. Mrs. Carson reported that Gail Panciera is expected to attend the next meeting for an interview.
III.
MINUTES APPROVAL
A
motion was made by Jill Conklin, seconded by Dan Fraro and unanimously voted to
approve the minutes for the November 20, 2006 meeting as
written.
A
motion was made by Jill Conklin, seconded by Dan Fraro and unanimously voted to
approve the minutes for the December 27, 2006 meeting as
written.
Mr.
Martin noted that on Page 4 of the January 22, 2007 minutes there was a misquote
from the deposition. Mrs. Carson
will look into this and report back at the next meeting. Also, on Page 5, “Zoning Commission” was
changed to “Zoning Commissioners”.
A vote on these minutes was deferred until the next
meeting.
IV. OLD
BUSINESS
a.
Other – There
were no other Old Business items.
V. NEW
BUSINESS
a.
Application for Renewal of Special Use Permit for Flea Markets &
Auctions, 430 South Road, Pleasant View Farms Realty – Set Public
Hearing
The
applicant has applied for renewal of his special use permit. The permit would run from March 31, 2007
to March 30, 2008.
Mrs.
Carson reported that nothing has changed on the application and no complaints
were received on the permit this year.
The applicant is available to attend a public hearing if one is scheduled
for the Commission’s next regular meeting.
A
motion was made by Jill Conklin, seconded by Dan Fraro and unanimously voted to
accept the application, refer it to Planning, and set a public hearing date of
March 19, 2007 beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Hall.
b.
Special Use Permit Application for Horses for Commercial Purposes,
Section 214-89.A., 30 Hurlburt Road, Belskie – Set Public Hearing
The
Commission reviewed plans for the site which is approximately a 111-acre parcel
of property, owned by Linde Farms on Maple Street. Horses will be raised for commercial
purposes on this land which is located on the eastern side of Hurlburt
Road. The applicant would like to
build a barn with a caretaker’s unit on the site. Mrs. Carson explained that the majority
of the site will be used for pasture land.
A
motion was made by Dan Fraro, seconded by Jill Conklin and unanimously voted to
accept the application, refer it to Planning, and set a public hearing date of
March 19, 2007 beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Hall.
c.
Other
Rob
Martin informed the Commission that he received a postcard anonymously mailed to
him regarding land use activities in the Town of Somers. The card has an overseas email address
as a return address.
Mr.
Martin reminded Commission Members to mark their schedules with the regular
meeting dates and to be sure to check with the Town Planner if they do not
receive agendas or cancellation notices.
VI.
DISCUSSION: PLAN OF
CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT
Mrs.
Carson reported that the Town is waiting for information from CRCOG regarding
agricultural zoning.
She
also noted that Len Slaga, a member of the committee working to expand Woodcrest
elderly housing project on Battle Street, has requested a joint meeting with the
Planning Commission and the Zoning Commission. He would like to explain what his
committee is seeking to do and hear input from the commissioners. Mr. Slaga hopes to meet at the end of
March or in early April. Mrs.
Carson stated that she will work to schedule a POCD meeting so that the
information may be presented and discussed.
Dan
Fraro shared information he received from the Connecticut Farm Bureau. He read that increasing legislation is
resulting in the loss of farm income and many farms are ceasing to operate. Agriculture must become more visible and
residents need to be aware of how important farming is to the state’s overall
economy and wellbeing. He added
that within the Town of Somers much undeveloped land is farmland at this time
and we need to support the farms however we can.
Jill
Conklin reminded everyone that the Somersville Planning Committee is holding a
public hearing Wednesday, March 6, 2007, at the Grammar School beginning at 7:00
p.m. seeking input from residents and businesses regarding potential
improvements to the area.
VII.
STAFF/COMMISSIONER REPORTS
Mrs.
Carson presented a copy of the budget as well as copies of letters sent out
since January 22, 2007 by the Zoning Enforcement Officer.
VIII.
CORRESPONDENCE AND BILLS
A
letter was received from the State Department of Transportation notifying the
Zoning Commission that a renewal for the inland wetland watercourses permit has
been submitted for the project at the intersection of Route 83 and Parker
Road.
A
letter was also received from the Board of Selectmen introducing Ray Hafford as
a new Zoning Commission member.
Mrs.
Carson also read a letter dated February 6, 2007 received from David Broer of
Ellington regarding the gravel bank’s hours of operation. He recommended that the town reconsider
its current zoning regulation regarding the starting time for gravel operations
within the town. He believes that
an 8:00 a.m. starting time would be easier for commuters and residents. He also noted that operating hours for
the Hampden Road gravel operations should receive special consideration because
trucks for two operations currently travel along the same
road.
A
bill in the amount of $204.62 was received from the Journal Inquirer for the
public meeting and Zoning Commission meeting of January 22, 2007. A motion was made by Dan Fraro, seconded
by Jill Conklin and unanimously voted to pay the bill as
presented.
A
bill in the amount of $380.00 was received for a legal opinion regarding an
easement on Ninth District Road.
Mrs. Carson explained that the Town Attorney had a conflict of interest
with this work, so an alternative legal service had to be used. A motion was made by Dan Fraro, seconded
by Jill Conklin and unanimously voted to pay the bill as
presented.
A motion was
made by Jill Conklin, seconded by Dan Fraro and unanimously voted to adjourn the
March 5, 2007 Zoning Commission meeting at 7:45 p.m.
Respectfully
submitted,
Wes Smith,
Secretary
Robin Timmons, Recording Secretary
MINUTES ARE NOT
OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVAL AT A SUBSEQUENT
MEETING.