P&Z Minutes - February 7, 2001

Planning & Zoning

February 7, 2001

Board Members Present:Chairman Robert Hiscox, Gil Graveline(7:10), Alan Havican
Alternates Present: Donald Pomeroy
Others Present: Bill Donovan, Land Use Inspector
Members Absent: James Lehner, Lezlye Zupkus, Daniel Wallace (Alt.)

Chairman Robert Hiscox called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. The meeting was taped.
Chairman Hiscox seated D. Pomeroy for L. Zupkus.

Approval of Minutes: Motion by D. Pomeroy, seconded by A. Havican to approve the minutes of the January 17, 2001 meeting as presented. Unanimous.

Correspondence:

  1. Notice of Annual Meeting on March 22, 2001 of the Connecticut Federation of Planning & Zoning Agencies.
  2. Notice of Seminar on March 3, 2001 of the Connecticut Land Use Law for Municipal Land Use Agencies, Boards & Commissions sponsered by the Connecticut Bar Association.
  3. Approved Minutes of December 11, 2000 Meeting of the Inland Wetlands Commission.
  4. Approved Minutes of January 8, 2001 Meeting of the Inland Wetlands Commission.
  5. Council of Governments Central Naugatuck Valley Request for Updating Mailing List Information.
  6. Council of Governments Central Naugatuck Valley Memo # 012501 re: Public Hearing on Proposed Amendments to the Regional Plan of Conservation & Development.
  7. Letter Postmarked January 22, 2001 from Helen Sargeant Plante re: Proposed Car Wash.
  8. Letter dated December 29, 2000 from Carmody & Torrance, LLP, to Fleet National Bank (Connecticut) re: Bond Release for Virginia Estates Subdivision.
  9. Letter dated February 1, 2001 from Carmody & Torrance, LLP, re: Bond for Tradition Estates Subdivision, Phase IV.
  10. University of Connecticut College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Journal - Vol. 7, Number 4 - October/November/December 2000.

Motion by A. Havican, seconded by D. Pomeroy to accept the correspondence. Unanimous.

Public Participation: None

New Business:
a. Ajeredin Zekirovski, 10 Peach Orchard Road. Application for Home Occupation Permit - Cleaning Service. Mr. Zekirovski presented the application for a cleaning service to consist of one employee (himself) with variable hours of operation depending on customer needs. All work is done off premises and there would be no large volumes of household cleaning products being stored on the premises. There is no need for a sign. Motion by D. Pomeroy, seconded by A. Havican to accept and approve the application for a Home Occupation Permit for a Cleaning Service as presented for a period of (3) Years for property located at 10 Peach Orchard Road. Unanimous.

Public Hearing:
a. Pete Daddona, d/b/a Paint Ball Adventure Games, 54A Talmadge Hill Road. Application for Annual Renewal of Special Permit with Added New Game, "Speed Ball". Chairman Hiscox opened the Public Hearing at 7:15 p.m. and read the Notice of Public Hearing as it appeared in the Waterbury Republican American. Pete Daddona described the game of "Speed Ball" to the Commissioners stating that the playing area is approximately 100' X 200' no tree cutting is necessary and there would be no permanent structures. Mr. Daddona is not requesting any change in the hours of operations. Chairman Hiscox asked for comments from the public. Robert Cranney, 35 Heritage Drive and Raymond Lapalme, 37 Heritage Drive stated that they have found paint balls in their yards and were concerned with players shooting paint balls where they shouldn't be. Mr. Cranney and Mr. Lapalme also stated that the horn sounding at the start and finish of each game was disruptive to the neighborhood. Mr. Daddona stated that the horn is no longer used at the start and finish of each game. The referees who monitor the players during the games use radios to alert the players to the start and finish time. Mr. Daddona also stated that he doesn't beleive that the paint balls found by Mr. Cranney and Mr. Lapalme were coming from his clients because the playing areas are taped off and referees are sent out with each group of players. Mr. Daddona suggested that kids in the neighborhood may be in the woods on their own with paint ball guns, but he will walk the perimeter of the playing fields again to be sure the fields are marked properly. G. Graveline noted that the new game would be concentrated in the front area of the playing fields with fencing to inhibit the chance of stray paint balls. Chairman Hiscox noted that there have been no complaints to date with the current operations and that Mr. Daddona has been very willing to work with the Commission to ensure minimal disruption to the neighborhood. Tony Ciaramella, 21 Horizon View, asked for a review of the new game and where it would be played and then stated that he had no problems to date with the current operations. There were no further comments from the public. Motion by G. Graveline, seconded by D. Pomeroy to close the public hearing for Paint Ball Adventure Games for the Annual Renewal of Special Permit with added new game, "Speed Ball". Unanimous. The public hearing was closed at 7:52 p.m. Chairman Hiscox asked Bill Donovan to Prepare a Draft Motion of Approval for the next meeting indicating the allowance for a seasonal canopy as well as the additional 100' X 200' playing field to allow for the game of "Speed Ball". The motion of approval should include that there be no permanent structures within the playing field, fencing will be placed around the "Speed Ball" playing field and there will be no change in the hours of operation.

Old Business:
a. Naugatuck Savings Bank, 24 Waterbury Road. Site Plan Application - Bank. This application was accepted at the January 17, 2001 meeting. Terry Meyers of Meyers Associates, P.C., reviewed changes made to the site plan as discussed at the last meeting regarding the cueing of vehicles and changing the flow of traffic to one way all the way around the building. A sketch of a proposed 25 square foot sign to be placed approximately 30 feet back from the edge of pavement was submitted. The sign would be lit by down lighting not interior illumination. Bill Donovan suggested that the sign be sized to conform to no larger than 24 square feet. Chairman Hiscox asked for the record whether it was critical to have a road cut on Route 69 rather than just having an entrance off of Chandler Drive. Mr. Meyers stated that the one way traffic flow around the building was designed with the entrance off of Route 69 to make parking at the front of the building easily accessible and the propossed placement of the sign for visibility purposes would suggest an entrance from Route 69. Mr Meyers also feels that the traffic light at Route 69 and Summit Road will help the traffic in the area. D. Pomeroy stated that he felt the changes made to the plan allowed for a much smoother layout. The other Commissioners agreed. Motion by D. Pomeroy, seconded by A. Havican to approve the site plan as presented by Naugatuck Savings Bank and shown on Site Layout Plan for Naugatuck Savings Bank, 24 Waterbury Road, by Meyers Associates, P.C., dated January 10, 2001 with latest revision date of January 22, 2001. Unanimous.

Planning/Open Space Summary: Chairman Hiscox stated that the organizational meeting of the Land Acquisition Committee was held on January 24th. Representatives from the Connecticut Water Company and the Land For Public Trust gave presentations. There is no significant time line regarding the purchase of water company property that need to be adhered to at this point. Dan Wallace will continue to follow any progress.

Land Use Inspector's Report: Bill Donovan stated that he received a call from the Council of Governments regarding the Regional Planning Commission. The Town of Prospect does not have a representative serving on this Commission currently. D. Pomeroy suggested that he might be interested in serving on the Commission. Chairman Hiscox stated that a representative would be appointed under "Old Business" at the next Planning & Zoning Meeting. Bill stated that a communications tower is being proposed off of Edwards Road in Bethany. The State Siting Council is reviewing the proposal. Bill reiterated that the Town's Plan of Development should include guidelines for communication towers that may be presented to the Siting Council when applications affecting the Town of Prospect are being considered. Representatives from H.M.A., Inc. will be avaible to give an update on the Plan of Development at the next meeting. Bill stated that a Cease and Desist has been issued to the Prospect Service Center for an illegal expansion of a non-conforming use. Chairman Hiscox read a letter submitted by Bill Donovan recommending a final bond reduction to $21,000.00 for West Ridge Estates Subdivision. Bill stated that he was confident that any remaining site work would not exceed $21,000.00. Motion by D. Pomeroy, seconded by G. Graveline to approve the bond reduction for West Ridge Estates Subdivision as recommended by Bill Donovan. Unanimous. Bill distributed copies of the recent changes made in the regulations regarding application fees. The Commissioners discussed possible ways of letting the public know that canvas type garages are not allowed in Town and that the Planning & Zoning Commission will be working to enforce the removal of such garages. Motion by A. Havican, seconded by D. Pomeroy to accept the Land Use Inspector's Report. Unanimous.

Public Participation: None

Motion by D. Pomeroy, seconded by A. Havican to adjourn at 8:52 p.m. Unanimous.

Robert Hiscox
Chairman