ZONING
COMMISSION
P.O. BOX 308
SEPTEMBER
17, 2007 - 7:00pm
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman
Rob Martin called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Members present were Jill Conklin, Rob
Martin, Wes Smith and Alternate Member Dan Fraro (seated for Ray Hafford). Town Planner Patrice Carson was also in
attendance.
II. INTERVIEW DESIGN REVIEW BOARD CANDIDATES
No candidates were
present to be interviewed. Ms. Carson
said that there are four current Board members and one more member is needed.
The position
should require less than a 2-hour a month time commitment. However, time is of the essence to have the
Commission in place for some impending projects.
III. MINUTES APPROVAL: July 23, 2007 & September 10, 2007
A
motion was made by Dan Fraro, seconded by Wes Smith and unanimously voted to
approve the minutes of July 23, 2007 as written.
A
motion was made by Dan Fraro, seconded by Jill Conklin and unanimously voted to
approve the minutes of September 10, 2007 as written.
IV. OLD BUSINESS:
A. Discussion/Possible Decision: Site Plan Application For Metal Building For Industrial Use, 251
Field Road, Smyth (09/17)
Property
owner Bob Smyth and Mike Mocko of Ward Engineering attended the meeting. Mike Mocko addressed concerns that Merv
Strauss had noted.
The
plans were revised to show spot grades for grading and paving. The applicant has voluntarily added hoods to
all catch basins.
The
storm water maintenance plan will entail the following:
Per Mr. Strauss’
request, calculations have been provided regarding the total suspended solids
and water run-off on the proposed pervious pavement. The screen fence will be extended to follow the entire length of
the parking lot.
Ms.
Carson read a letter from Mr. Strauss stating that with the revisions and
computations listed above he accepted the proposal for this plan. The Planning Commission had also recommended
approval conditioned upon Mr. Strauss’ comments being satisfactorily addressed.
A
was made by Wes Smith, seconded by Jill Conklin and unanimously voted to
approve Smyth’s Site Plan application for a metal building for industrial use
at 251 Field Road. It was noted that
the approval was for use of the building by Conval. Other uses would have to come back to the Commission for
approval.
b. Discussion/Possible Decision: Site Plan Application For Antique Business, 39 South Road,
Rendell
The
Commission reviewed the application.
The property in question had been an antique shop and Ms. Rendell had
abandoned this use. She now wants to
reopen the antique shop to operate Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Planning Commission has recommended
approval. The property is commercially
zoned.
A
motion was made by Jill Conklin, seconded by Dan Faro and unanimously voted to
approve Rendell’s Site Plan Application for an antique business at 39 South
Road.
C. Other:
There was no other Old Business.
A
motion was made by Dan Fraro, seconded by Wes Smith and unanimously voted to
add to the agenda: Site Plan Application For Change Of Use From
Nail Salon To Dry-Cleaning Pick-up/Drop-off Store, 631 Main Street.
The
applicant owns Stafford Cleaners and proposes to use the Somers location as a
drop-off point for laundry, which will be cleaned at the Stafford
facility. There will be one employee;
hours of operation will be 8 a.m to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m to 3
p.m. on Saturday.
It
was agreed by consensus of the Commission to allow the plan to be handled by
staff review.
VI. DISCUSSION: PLAN OF CONSERVATION & DEVELOPMENT
Ms.
Carson hopes to have the ridgeline information by the October 2, 2007
meeting. Mr. Fraro is interested in how
other towns enforce ridgeline regulations.
Wes Smith questioned the feasibility of a ridge bond.
VII. STAFF/COMMISSION REPORTS
Ms. Carson discussed
property located on the west end of Stafford Road that is owned by Michael
Cane.
Mr.
Cane owns property in Somers and a larger adjoining parcel in East
Longmeadow. A CL&P easement runs
through part of the Somers property and cannot be built upon. The East Longmeadow property is commercially
zoned according to Cane’s attorney.
Cane
proposes to install a commercial building on the East Longmeadow land. He hopes to use the Somers land with the
easement as an access way to this building over which eighteen-wheeler trucks
can travel. Mr. Cane had previously
represented to the Planning Commission a plan for a 4-lot subdivision on the
Somers land.
Ms.
Carson asked the Commission to consider their thoughts and feelings regarding
drive through business in the new Somersville overlay district. She hopes this can be discussed at the next
Zoning Commission meeting.
VIII. CORRESPONDENCE AND BILLS
Ms.
Carson notified the commission of a program being conducted by CAZEO. It will take place on October 3, 2007 and
will cost $40.00. The major topic will
be outdoor wood burning furnace problems, regulation and enforcement and Low
Impact Development, two items the Commission has been discussing.
A
motion was made by Jill Conklin, seconded by Rob Martin and unanimously voted
to send Ms. Carson to this seminar.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
A
motion was made by Jill Conklin, seconded by Rob Martin and unanimously voted
to adjourn the September 17, 2007 Zoning Commission Regular Meeting at 7:46
p.m.
Respectfully
submitted,
Wesley
Smith, Secretary Jeanne
Reed, Recording Secretary
MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL
UNTIL APPROVAL AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING