ZONING COMMISSION
P.O. BOX 308
JULY 23, 2007 - 7:00 p.m.
I. PUBLIC HEARING
a. Zoning Regulation Amendments for Somersville Center Overlay
District
Chairman
Rob Martin called the public hearing to order at 7:00 p.m. The legal notice was read.
A
presentation was made by Landscape Architect Aris Stalis, the consultant who
helped the Somersville Planning Committee compile the information
presented. He noted that they were seeking
to create a more pedestrian-friendly environment to help promote opportunities
for economic development and develop the site in a way which creates more
opportunities and gets more value out of the Somersville Center Overlay
District.
Mrs.
Carson explained that the Somersville Planning Committee sent a recommendation
to the Zoning Commission for a Zoning Regulation change in accordance with the
Plan of Conservation and Development.
The regulations have been amended to include minor recommendations from
the Planning Commission and the Town Attorney.
The proposed amendment was reviewed item by item.
Carole
Pyne, 46 Sunset Drive, spoke in favor of the amendment.
She stated that she liked the whole plan.
David
Reed, 32 Mountain View Road, Chairman of the Somersville Planning Committee, stated that the
Committee met for approximately 6 months and held 2 well-attended public
hearings. He added that the whole idea
was to make the area a showcase and a fun place to live and to grow, the way it
used to be. The mill, which may
potentially be developed into a housing area, as well as the new age restricted
housing have a nice pedestrian center in the middle and things are already
beginning to develop in the area just on the promise of the plan. The recommendations made are another tool
for continued progress. He gave full
support to the plan.
Mrs.
Carson also noted that the first Farmer’s Market had recently been held and
well received.
Malcolm
Chadborne, 50 Nutmeg Drive, also spoke in favor of the project.
Jeff
Lipton, 452 South Road, owner of Joanna’s Restaurant, asked a few questions about what
effects the regulation would have on his restaurant, including the parking area
and the potential for seating outside in the front. Discussion followed about the parking details of the proposed
amendment. He asked if someone
purchases his restaurant and banquet facility would they be able to utilize the
property for the same purposes it is being used for now. Mrs. Carson stated that they would be able
to.
Ann
Levesque, 230 Four Bridges Road, spoke in favor of the project.
David
Pinney 214 Maple Street, stated that he is in favor of the proposed changes. He added that they represent an important
component of the future of Somersville.
He thinks that people will have wonderful opportunities with a nice
amount of commercial activity available to them in the area. The increased pedestrian activity will be of
benefit to the town as well. The
regulations would bring a lot of good things to the Town.
Attorney
John Woodcock, 395 Buckland Road, South Windsor, spoke on behalf of John
and Joe Dzen. He noted that they are
not in opposition to the amendment, with the exception of the provision
prohibiting gas stations in that area of Somers. He felt there weren’t enough gas stations in the general area
driving on Route 190. He gave a brief
history of his clients’ interaction with the Town regarding their
business. The Dzens have entered into a
purchase and sale agreement with Cumberland Farms. He expressed concern about what an approval of these regulations
would mean for the Dzens and asked the Commission to let them go through with
their contract with Cumberland Farms.
Wes
Smith stated that the prohibition of gas stations fit in with the Commission’s
movement of the buildings to the front of the lots and making the area more
pedestrian friendly.
Attorney
Allison McKeen, Shipman and Goodwin, spoke on behalf of Cumberland Farms requesting
that the town work with them to allow Cumberland Farms to open a business at
the Dzen’s property in Somers. She
noted that the setback requirement and prohibition of gasoline sales would
prevent them from coming into town, as well as the requirement for no
underground storage tanks and asked that if the regulation were passed, that it
would be passed without the inclusion of those three items.
Joe
Dzen, 103 Main Street, also asked that the Cumberland Farms be allowed into their building
as well. He added that he is definitely
not against the proposed regulation, but just is seeking to have modifications
made to it.
Steve
Getman, 19 School Street, noted that Cumberland Farms was in town before, and right on Main
Street just about 5 buildings down from Dzens.
But they removed their business, leaving a vacant building for years which
did nothing for the town. He felt that
Cumberland Farms just want the regulations to suit their own needs when they
want and if they wanted to be there, they should have stayed. He noted that he is in favor of the
proposal.
Mike
Redmond, 138 Main Street, asked about how the regulations would impact his property. Discussion followed about building on his
lot.
Joanne
Chadborne, 50 Nutmeg Drive, asked if anything was going to happen with the intersection at the
corner of Shaker Road near Quality Avenue.
It was noted that this area is not included in this project but it is
part of the corridor study and the DOT has looked at the area.
Discussion
followed about the Plan of Conservation and Development and the reasons the
Committee came to the conclusion to prohibit gas sales and underground fuel
storage tanks in the area.
A
motion was made by Jill Conklin, seconded by Ray Hafford and unanimously voted
to close the public hearing at 8:19 p.m.
II. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Rob Martin called the regular meeting
of the Zoning Commission to order at 8:20 p.m.
Members Jill Conklin, Ray Hafford, Rob Martin, and Wes Smith were
present and constituted a quorum. Town
Planner Patrice Carson was also present.
III. INTERVIEW DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
CANDIDATES – There were
none.
IV. MINUTES APPROVAL
A
motion was made by Jill Conklin, seconded by Ray Hafford and unanimously voted
to approve the minutes of the July 9, 2007 meeting as written.
V. OLD BUSINESS
a. Discussion/Possible Decision: Zoning Regulation Amendments for Somersville
Center Overlay District
The Commission
discussed all the comments received at the public hearing. Wes Smith stated that passing the amended
regulations without the prohibition on underground storage tanks and gas
stations, and the maximum frontage would basically remove most of the key
elements the Commission sought to change with the regulations. He also felt having a gas station at the
beginning of this “Gateway Zone” and one at the end was not the intention of
the Commission and that there were plenty of gas stations along Route 190,
including in and out of Somers.
After brief
discussion, a motion was made by Wes Smith, seconded by Ray Hafford and
unanimously voted to approve the Zoning Regulation Amendments for the
Somersville Center Overlay District with the town attorney’s amendments and the
Planning Commission amendments as noted.
The amendment will be effective Thursday, July 26, 2007.
b. Other – There was no other Old Business.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
a. Site Plan Application for Metal
Building, 251 Field Road, Smyth
The Commission reviewed the application for a
metal storage building. No final plan
has been received yet because revisions are still being made. The purpose of accepting it at this time is
to get the clock running for the applicant.
A motion was made by Wes Smith, seconded by Ray
Hafford and unanimously voted to accept Smyth’s Site Plan application for a
metal building at 251 Field Road.
Referrals will take place when the final plan is submitted.
b. Site Plan Application for Office Space
& Industrial Use, 27 Quality Avenue, Guisti
Mrs. Carson showed the Commissioners Mr.
Guisti’s plan to expand his business into the rest of the building and asked
whether this should be a staff review or if they wished to have it brought
before the Commission. It was the
consensus of the Commission to have staff oversee the plan since the business
being expanded is already there.
c. Other
– There was no New Business.
VII. DISCUSSION:
PLAN OF CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT
Mrs. Carson noted
that the next item to be discussed is the ridge line issue. She will be sending along notes on the
Metacomet Ridge for the Commissioners to review. The Commission already has the town’s old ridgeline regulation.
VIII. STAFF/COMMISSIONER REPORTS – Patrice Carson will be emailing
the Zoning Enforcement Officer’s Report.
She is also working on gathering information on outdoor burning furnaces
and outdoor garages.
IX. CORRESPONDENCE AND BILLS – None were presented.
A motion was made by Ray Hafford, seconded by
Jill Conklin and unanimously voted to adjourn the July 23, 2007 Zoning
Commission meeting at 8:57 p.m. It was
noted that the next two regular meetings will be Tuesday, September 4 and
Monday, September 17, 2007.
Respectfully submitted,
Wesley Smith, Secretary Robin
Timmons, Recording Secretary
MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL
UNTIL APPROVAL AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING.