ZONING
COMMISSION
P.O.
BOX 308
April
16, 2007
Town
Hall
- 7:00 p.m.
I.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
a.
Modification of Special Use Permit Application for Gravel Operation,
South & Egypt Roads, Charter
Chairman Rob Martin opened
the public hearing at 7:00 p.m. and read the legal notice. It was noted that no action may be taken
on this application until a report is received from the Conservation
Commission. The report is expected
by the May 7, 2007 Zoning Commission meeting. At their April 12, 2007 meeting,
the Planning Commission
recommended approval of this application as did Town Engineer Merv
Strauss.
Peter Charter presented
plans for the 3˝ acre addition to his gravel operation for the purpose of
increasing crop land. There is to
be no impact to the water flow.
They hope to begin work this summer and complete in the fall of
2008.
Scott Stanton, 119 Root
Road,
spoke in favor of the gravel operation.
He has been a long-time friend of Peter Charter and a long-time resident
of Somers. He has observed the
gravel operation and wished to speak in favor of it.
A
motion was made by Jill Conklin, seconded by Dan Fraro and unanimously voted to
close the public hearing at 7:03 p.m.
b.
Special Use Permit Application for Boy Scout Hall, 78 Battle Street,
Friends of Somers Boy Scouts Troup 387 Inc.
At
7:04 p.m., Mr. Martin opened up this portion of the hearing and read the legal
notice. At
their April 12, 2007 meeting, the Planning Commission recommended approval of
this application as did the Town Engineer Merv Strauss with the condition that
the lighting be brought up to 2 tenths of a foot candle in the parking lot area
and walkway, and that the Zoning Commission request additional buffering
requirements on the north side of the lot for a non-residential use adjacent to
a residential district.
Tim
Morello, President of the Friends of Somers Boy Scouts Troop 387 Inc., presented
copies of the plans to be updated with changes to the walkway and lighting. The parking area will be rotated so as
to provide more room at the rear of the building. The lighting will be changed to increase
the level up to 2 tenths of a foot candle in the parking lot area and
walkway. Screening will be added to
fulfill buffering requirements on the north side of the
lot.
Donna Roberts, Treasurer of
the corporation, stated that funding is still taking place, but they are heading
toward meeting the funding needed.
Bill Durhels, 29 Windwood
Circle,
spoke as the Scout Master. He
explained that the troop is very active and has 25 members currently. They have one Eagle Scout and hope to
have another one this year and the troop is looking forward to having a new
permanent home.
Mark Leveque, 11 Kibbe Grove
Road,
spoke as the Cub Master. He stated
that having the hall would be a wonderful opportunity for the pack and they are
all eager to have it completed.
Scott Stanton, 119 Root
Road,
is the Chairman of the Board of the Cub Scout Pack and feels that this is a
wonderful project. He has a
business in East Windsor and they put a scout hall up in that town a few years
ago and it has done a lot of great things for the pack and for the town. To have one home for everything will be
great. Everything can be stored in
one place and they can have a common place for meeting.
Wes
Smith asked how often the building would be used and it was noted that the boy
scouts meet normally through the course of the year once a week, and in the
summer every 2 weeks. The cub
scouts will use it occasionally during the year as well. The girl scouts may also use
it.
Charlie Paswkowitz, 70
Michelle Drive, has been with the Boy
Scouts for many years and he wanted to thank the town for this opportunity to
have a new home.
John Moak, 349 Mountain
Road, stated that he was a member
of the committee that formed the troop 30 years ago. They have had good leadership and are a
good group. They have been a credit
to the town. He thinks the lodge
will be well taken care of and there will be much pride in the
ownership.
A
motion was make by Jill Conklin, seconded by Dan Fraro and unanimously voted to
close this portion of the public hearing at 7:13 p.m.
II. CALL
TO ORDER
Chairman
Robert Martin called the regular meeting to order at 7:15 p.m. Members Conklin, Martin, Smith and
Alternate Member Fraro (seated for Anita Calder) were present and constituted a
quorum.
III.
INTERVIEW DESIGN REVIEW BOARD CANDIDATES
– None were present.
IV.
MINUTES APPROVAL
A
motion was made by Dan Fraro, seconded by Jill Conklin and unanimously voted to
approve the minutes of the March 19 and April 2, 2007 meetings as
written.
V.
OLD BUSINESS
a.
Discussion/Possible Decision:
Special Use Permit Application for Boy Scout Hall, 78 Battle Street,
Friends of Somers Boy Scouts Troup 387 Inc.
After
some discussion, a motion was made by Wes Smith, seconded by Dan Fraro and
unanimously voted to approve Friends of Somers Boy Scouts Troop 387 Inc.’s
Special Use Permit Application for a Boy Scout Hall at 78 Battle Street, with
the conditions that 1) lighting be
brought up to two-tenths of a foot candle in the parking lot area and walkway,
and 2) additional buffering
requirements be met on the north side of the lot for a non-residential use
adjacent to a residential district.
b.
Other
– There was no other Old Business.
VI. NEW
BUSINESS
a.
Other
A
motion was made by Jill Conklin, seconded by Wes Smith and unanimously voted to
add Site
Plan Application, Somers Crossing Phase II, South Road, Ladd
to the agenda.
Chet
Ladd presented plans showing both the first and second phases of the Somers
Crossing project.
Design
Engineer Chuck Bomley of Plan B Retail Design, stated that the new design was
done to complement the style of the Geissler’s Supermarket in Phase I of the
project. The parking area of Phase
II will help to make the area in Phase I more accessible. It will be set up in a village
style. The buildings will be
grouped together and will be built as tenants are found.
He
discussed lighting and noted that the general ambient lighting will be continued
somewhat in this portion, but will have lower polls. He showed photos of the fixtures. The lights will shine down and have
shadowing, and can be used directionally and will complement the lights used in
Phase I.
A
landscaping plan was also submitted and the same species of plants were used as
with the first phase. A screen of
pines will be planted as a buffer.
Individual
septic systems will be included as shown on the plans. Public water will serve the entire
complex. The water company has
asked that the water be looped in so that Shady Lake can tie in. In addition, he is providing access for
the utilities at Shady Lake.
A
motion was made by Wes Smith, seconded by Jill Conklin and unanimously voted to
accept the Ladd’s plans for Somers Crossing, Phase II, on South Road and to
refer them to the Planning Commission for review.
VII.
DISCUSSION: PLAN OF
CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT
There
was no discussion on this item.
VIII.
STAFF/COMMISSIONER REPORTS
– There were no reports.
IX.
CORRESPONDENCE AND BILLS
– There were none.
A
motion was made by Jill Conklin, seconded by Wes Smith and unanimously voted to
adjourn the April 16, 2007 Zoning Commission meeting at 7:42
p.m.
Respectfully
submitted,
Wesley
Smith, Secretary
Robin Timmons, Recording Secretary
MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL
UNTIL APPROVAL AT A SUBSEQUENT
MEETING.