November 15, 2000
Board Members Present: Chairman Robert Hiscox, James Lehner
Alternates Present: Donald Pomeroy, Daniel Wallace
Others Present: Bill Donovan, Land Use Inspector
Members Absent: Gil Graveline, Lezlye Zupkus, Alan Havican
Chairman Robert Hiscox called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. The meeting was taped.
Chairman Hiscox seated D. Wallace for L. Zupkus and D. Pomeroy for A. Havican.
Approval of Minutes: Motion by D. Pomeroy, seconded by D. Wallace to approve the minutes
of the November 1, 2000 meeting as amended. Unanimous.
Correspondence:
- Letter dated 10/31/00 from Harrall-Michalowski Associates re: the Fiscal Impact Analysis
compiled by Planimetrics.
- Subscription Offer for "Noise Regulations Report".
- Council of Governments Central Naugatuck Valley Notice of Public Hearing on November 15,
2000 - Long Range Transporation Plan.
- State of Connecticut Workers' Compensation Commission Memorandum on Revised Affidavit re:
Issuance of Building Permits pursuant to Connecticut State Statute #31-286b.
- Inland Wetlands Commission October 23, 2000 Approved Minutes.
- Building Department Reports - October 2000.
- Zoning Inspector's Report - October 2000.
- Council of Governments Central Naugatuck Valley Revised Draft of the Long-Range Regional
Transportaion Plan 2000.
Motion by D. Pomeroy, seconded by D. Wallce to accept the correspondence. Unanimous.
Public Participation: Marie Della Bella, 8 Orchard Drive, stated that she wanted to
reserve her right to speak on the proposed site plan amendment at 72-74 Waterbury Road until
after the presentation of the amendment.
Old Business:
a. Thomas Battiste, 40B Bronson Road. Application for Zone Change from Residential
to Industrial. The public hearing on this application was closed at the November 1, 2000
meeting. Chairman Hiscox read a letter dated November 15, 2000 from Bill Donovan explaining
that because of the petition submitted in opposition of the zone change, a two-thirds majority
(4 Commissioners) must vote in favor of the zone change in order for it to pass. Bill also
distributed a review for the Commissioners to consider when making a decision on the application.
b. Vincent Lorusso, 72-74 Waterbury Road. Amendment to Site Plan. A site plan for
a car sales, repair and rental operation at 72-74 Waterbury Road had been approved at the July 5,
2000 meeting. Vincent Lorusso stated that he would like to extend the stockade fencing in lieu of
the arborvitae proposed on the original site plan further down along Orchard Road side of the
building for privacy purposed on the original site plan further down arborvitae to grow. Marie
Dell Bella, 8 Orchard Drive, was allowed to comment on the proposal. Dr. Della Bella stated that
she was opposed to the additional stockade fencing because she considers the fencing to be unsightly.
She also asked how closely the applicant must adhere to the original site plan because there's
been excessive tree cutting where the exisiting woods were to remain and four additional parking
spaces have been marked in the back of the building. Chairman Hiscox stated that he would prefer
to keep a natural looking barrier in order to keep the property looking as rural as possible.
D. Pomeroy stated that the Planning & Zoning Commission should be responsible to see that site
plans are followed unless there is cause for change. Discussion on this matter was continued
after the public hearing.
Public Hearing:
a. Joseph Commendatore, 33 Clark Hill Road. Application to Amend the Regulations to
Add Car Wash Facility as a Permitted Use in a CG Zone. Chairman Hiscox opened the public
hearing at 7:30 p.m. and read the notice of public hearing as it appeared in the Waterbury
Republican American. Acknowledgement of zoning referral was received from the Council of
Governments and read into the records. Joseph Commendatore presented a rendition of what a
full service touchless car wash facility would consist of. D. Pomeroy asked where the water
supply would come from and what is done with wastewater and phosphates. Mr. Commendatore explained
that his rendition is a complete recycled system with no wastewater discharge to the sewer, surface
water or ground water. A D.E.P. permit is not required because any sanitary sewage discharge
would fall under the local authority. Everything would be hauled off site be a licensed hauler.
Chairman Hiscox questioned the overall appearance of a car wash facility. David Carson of OCC
Design Consortium stated that an extensive study was done prior to presenting the rendition
being shown to give a general idea of what it would look like. Specific amenities would be
addressed with a specific site plan. Mr. Carson suggested that the Commissioners visit the
Southbury Car Wash to see first hand what a full service car wash would look like. Mr. Carson
also suggested that the definition require "recycled water if sewers are not available".
Discussion was held on whether there should be a minimum lot size requirement. The
Commissioners were comfortable with 2 acres. The public was invited to speak. Jane Folwer, 6
Maria Hotchkiss Road is not in favor of allowing a car wash facility in a commercial zone,
particularly along Route 68 & Route 69 because a car wash is not attractive. Marie Della
Bella, 8 Orchard Drive, stated that she was not in favor of another facility that will add
more traffic to the area and more and more tree cutting that removes natural buffers. Tom
Battiste, Union City Road, stated he was in favor of a car wash facility and encoraged that
Commissioners to take a look at the Southbury Car Wash as well. Glenn Noble, 27 Bayberry Drive,
stated that he was glad to hear the Commissioners questioning appearance because he feels
there are some establishments along the main corridors in Town that are unsightly. Mr. Noble
stated that it is important not to have trashy looking businesses on the main roads. David Carson,
OCC Design Consortium, suggested that the Commissioners consider using 80,000 square feet rather
than 2 acres as a minimum lot requirement for a car wash facility as the regulations generally use
footage. Mr. Carson also suggested that the state regulations for the distance from the exit of
the road is 150 feet and suggested that setback vehicle stacking be an encumbrance on the applicant
to demonstarte that no cars are backing up onto the roadway. There were no further comments from
the public. Bill Donovan will put together some proposed language for the amendment to the
regulations for the next meeting. Motion by J. Lehner, seconded by D. Pomeroy to close
the public hearing for a proposed amendment to the regulations to add Car Wash Facility as a
permitted use in a CG zone. Unanimous.
Old Business: (Continued)
b. Vincent Lorusso, 72-74 Waterbury Road. Amendment to Site Plan. Bill Donovan
updated the Commissioners as to what's been taking place at the site. An accessway was created
to get to the back of the property that Bill considers being a asset for emergency and safety
access. The septic system is in place and had to be graded out. The applicant is attempting to
clean up the property. Mr. Lorusso stated that the stockage fence along the back property line
was moved in approximately 8-10 feet at the request of the neighbors, Bonnie & Edward Davis, and
that trees were being removed only where necessary to get equipment in. Mr. Lorusso also stated
that he was trying to delineate the parking in the back to keep it accessible for the post office
employees. Chairman Hiscox asked Mr. Lorusso to stake where he is proposing to extend the fencing
to and asked each Commissioner to individually visit the site. Discussion on the site plan
amendment would be continued at the December 6th meeting.
Land Use Inspector's Report:
Bill Donovan presented a request for a bond release for College Farms Subdivision Phase I,
Section 1B & 1C, and a bond reduction for College Farms Subdiviosn Phase II, Section 2B. Chairman
Hiscox read a letter from Bill Donovan & Gene McCarthy. Assistant Director of Public Works, dated
November 15, 2000, recommending the release of the remaining $32,500.00 held as the 10% one-year
retainer for Phase I, Section 1B & 1C, and a final reduction to $60,000.00 as the 10% one-year
retainer plus $10,000.00 for a final retainer reduction to $70,000 for Phase II, Section 2B.
B. Donovan explained that the additional $10,000.00 was recommended to ensure sufficient
avaible funds to apply a top layer of paving on Cambridge Drive if it should be necessary.
Motion by D. Pomeroy, seconded by D. Wallace to approve the bond release for College Farms
Subdivision Phase I, Section 1B & 1C, and the bond for College Farms Subdivision Phase II, Section
2B, as recommended by Bill Donovan and Gene McCarthy. Unanimous. Bill updated the
Commissioners on the Lorusso & Sons propsed hauling operation through Southridge Estates as
mentioned by Gene McCarthy at a previous meeting. The Lorusso's held an informal meeting with Bill,
Gene McCarthy and all of the property owners along the proposed hauling route to inform them of
additional volume of truck traffic. The Town will be receiving enough sand to cover it's needs
for the next three years and Salem Road from Naugatuck line to Spring Road as well as all of
Spring Road will get a 1 1/2 inch overlay of asphalt upon completion of the project. Lorusso &
Sons will also be compensating each property owner along the truck route a yearly payment of
$1,500.00 for three years to be applied directly to their property taxes. Bill stated that this
proposal does not extend the October 2004 completion date approved for Southridge Estates.
Motion by J. Lehner, seconded by D. Wallace to accept the Land Use Inspector's Report.
Unanimous
Chairman Hiscox stated that two representatives from the Trust for Public Land would like
to be available to give a presentaion to the Commissioners and, because of a scheduling conflict,
the Commissioners agreed to set that meeting after the holidays. The Commissioners briefly
discussed the review Bill Donovan had presented earlier in the evening regarding the proposed
zone change at 40B Bronson Road.
Motion by J. Lehner, seconded by D. Pomeroy to adjourn at 9:35 p.m.
Robert Hiscox
Chairman