P&Z Minutes - June 19, 2002

Planning & Zoning

June 19, 2002

Board Members Present: Robert Hiscox, Alan Havican, Donald Pomeroy, Thomas Galvin
Alternates Present: Anthony Parrella, Francis Carpentier
Others Present: Bill Donovan, Land Use Inspector
Members Absent: Gil Graveline, Alexander Delelle (Alt.)

Chairman R. Hiscox called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. The meeting was taped. A. Parrella was seated for G. Graveline.

Approval of Minutes: Motion by D. Pomeroy, seconded by T. Galvin to approve the minutes of the June 5, 2002 meeting as presented. Unanimous. Motion by D. Pomeroy, seconded by T. Galvin to approve the minutes of the June 17, 2002 special meeting as presented. Unanimous.

Correspondence:

  1. Letter dated June 13, 2002 from Arthur Rocque, Jr., Commissioner of the Connecticut D.E.P. re: Available Grants for Hazard Mitigation in 2002.
  2. University of Connecticut College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Newsletter.
  3. Connecticut D.E.P. Notice of Reissuance & Issuance of General Permits for Various Inland Water Resources Activities.
  4. Letter dated June 12, 2002 re: Christiano Home Occupation Permit from a Concerned Platt Drive Resident.
  5. Letter dated June 17, 2002 re: Tractor-Trailer Trucks on Platt Drive from an Extremely Concerned Platt Drive Resident.
  6. Copy of a Letter dated June 18, 2002 from Mayor Robert Chatfield to Extremely Concerned Platt Drive Resident re: Tracker-Trailer Trucks on Platt Drive.

Motion by T. Galvin, seconded by A. Havican to accept the correspondence. Unanimous.

Public Participation: Michael Diogostine, 822 Hickory Hill Road, Thomaston, discussed property he owns on Scott Road explaining that Mayor Chatfield suggested that Mr. Diogostine come before Planning & Zoning Commission. Access to the rear lots would be from Scott Road in Waterbury. There is no access from Prospect. B. Donovan stated that the Town's Subdivision and Zoning Regulations require direct access to a roadway in Prospect. Bill suggested that the Zoning Board of Appeals would need to grant a variance to access to other than a Town Road in order for Mr. Diogostine to develop this property. The Town Attorney has also suggested that an agreement might need to be made between the Town of Prospect and the City of Waterbury determining which Town would respond in case of an emergency. Chairman Hiscox recommended that Mr. Diogostine hire an attorney to guide him through the various application processes, which should begin with an application for a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Public Hearings:
a. Tesco Rentals, LLC, 155 Union City Road. Application for a Special Permit for an Indoor Golf and Sports Complex. The public hearing was continued from May 15, 2002 and opened at 7:17 p.m. Hank Berberat of Tesco raised submitted a letter granting a 30-day extension for the public hearing, as well as a letter responding to issues raised at the previous meeting. Mr. Berberat stated that due to concerns raised over the impact the proposed air dome facility would have on the character of the neighborhood, he is proposing instead to construct a steel building. Chairman Hiscox asked if a significant change in the structure of the building has any effect or alters the original application. B. Donovan stated that in his opinion it has no effect on the original application because it is primarily the same use. Mr. Berberat stated that the interior layout of the building has not changed. Chairman Hiscox asked the applicant to provide an architectural rendering with proposed landscaping of the proposed steel building. D. Pomeroy stated his concerns with parking for events at the proposed facility after visiting a similar facility in Winsted. The public was invited to comment. Several neighbors spoke in opposition of the proposed facility citing traffic concerns, noise issues and decreasing property values in the area. Discussion was held on whether the current application should be withdrawn without prejudice and a new application submitted for a steel-framed building. The public hearing was continued to July 3, 2002 at 7:15 p.m.

b. Update of Zoning Map. The public hearing was opened at 8:40 p.m. Chairman Hiscox read the notice of public hearing as it appeared in the Waterbury Republican American. Bill Donovan reviewed the upgraded zoning map with the Commissioners explaining that the new map will not change or alter the current designed zone of any parcel of land in Prospect. The proposed changes are to enhance the appearance and accuracy of the Town Zoning Map. There were no comments from the public. Motion by T. Galvin, seconded by A. Havican to close the public hearing. Unanimous. Motion by D. Pomeroy, seconded by A. Parrella to approve the updated zoning map for the Town of Prospect as presented and set an effective date of July 4, 2002. Unanimous.

Old Business:
a. Lorraine Corsino, 250 Straitsville Road. Application for a Subdivision. This application was accepted at the May 15, 2002 meeting. Bill Donovan explained that the application was for a split off an exisiting subdivsion and that the Commissioners had requested a Wetlands report prior to Planning & Zoning approval. Bill presented a copy of Inland Wetlands unapproved minutes for June 10, 2002 indicating their motion of approval for regulated activities within the subdivision. Bill further indicated that he didin't feel a site development bond was necessary for this application. Motion by T. Galvin, seconded by A. Havican to approve submitted by Vincent Corsino for a subdivision for property located at 250 Straitsville Road. Unanimous.

New Business:
a. Edward & Judith Hankley, 189 Straitsville Road. Application for an 8-Lot Subdivision off of Coachlight Circle. There was no one in attendance to present this application.

Land Use Inspector's Report: Bill Donovan reported that he administratively approved a change of use for property located at 72 Waterbury Road for an electrical warehouse. The use would have an extremely minimal impact on the area regarding traffic. Inland Wetlands approval for the car wash on Waterbury Road required that a series of water sampling be conducted before and after development. SMC Environmental collected a sample last month which suggests that there are heavy concentration of some toxic materials that have been draining to the Waterbury Reservoir since the storm drain in that area of Route 69 was placed in service. Bill Donovan stated that he asked the Building Inspector to check a report of a pool near Lee Road that was not fenced in. The property owner has since put up a temporary construction fence and promised to put up a permanent fence. A letter was sent to Prospect Pools reminding Mr. Keeler that he would not continue to park vehicles for his business at his residence on Nancy Mae Avenue. Mrs. Keeler indicated to Bill that she was going to have her attorney review the Regulations. Chairman Hiscox instructed Bill to follow up with the next formal step in the cease and desist process. Bill also mentioned he is investigating a complaint of a commercial business operating at 176 Straitsville Road. Chairman Hiscox acknowledged the letters received regarding Platt Drive and instructed Bill to contact Mrs. Christiano regarding the allegations as written. The tractor trailer trucks are not a matter for the Planning & Zoning Commission, but should be directed to the Police Department or Public Works Department. Motion by D. Pomeroy, seconded by A. Havican to accept the Land Use Inspector's Report. Unanimous.

Public Participation: Chairman Hiscox clarified procedures regarding applications that are withdrawn without prejudice and the time table for decisions on applications for members of the public.

Motion by A. Havican, seconded by D. Pomeroy to adjourn at 9:30 p.m. Unanimous.

Robert Hiscox
Chairman