February 5, 2003
Chairman R. Hiscox called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. The meeting was taped.
Approval of Minutes: Motion by T. Galvin, seconded by D. Pomeroy to approve the minutes of the January 22, 2003 meeting as presented. Unanimous.
Correspondence:
Motion by D. Pomeroy, seconded by A. Havican to pay the invoice dated January 23, 2003 from HMA, Inc., in the amount of $3,375.00. Unanimous. Motion by A. Havican, seconded by T. Galvin to accept the correspondence. Unanimous.
Public Participation: John Spreda and Jack Starr representing management of the Texaco station on Waterbury Road were in attendance to review with the Commission outside storage blocking the sidewalk in the front of the building. The Commissioners were not in favor of allowing any outside storage on the front sidewalk noting that such displays create a potential hazard for pedestrians. It was also noted that parking spaces could not be used for retail sales either. The Commissioners did agree that the limited area on the Summit Road side of the building where propane tanks are stored might allow for some limited seasonal displays if management felt it was necessary.
Bob & Kolleen Gillis, 25 Platt Drive, asked whether a letter had been sent to the Christiano's from the Town Attorney regarding the commercial storage container and backhoe at 27 Platt Drive. Town Councilman Ed Miller, 29 Woodcrest Drive, stated concerns with outside storage at RPM Mower Repair on Waterbury Road, the lack of a merging lane at Trotters Way on Route 68 and commercial tow trucks being parked at a residence on Cook Road.
Old Business: None
Public Hearings:
a. Shannon Development, LLC, 80 Straitsville Road. Bill Donovan indicated that he had received verbal confirmation from the applicant's engineer for this project that the application before Planning & Zoning is being withdrawn due to time constraints with the Inland Wetlands Commission.
b. Addona Catering, 72-74 Waterbury Road. Application for a Special Permit for Banquet Facility. The public hearing was opened at 7:45 p.m. Chairman Hiscox read the notice of public hearing as it appeared in the Waterbury Republican American. Terry Meyers, Professional Engineer, Vincent Lorusso of VW Properties and Mario Addona were in attendance to review the site plan. Bill Donovan submitted a copy of a letter from the Fire Marshal dated January 15, 2003 stating that the preliminary plans for the banquet facility appear to meet the Life Safety Code and the threshold for protection is 300 occupants. The Commissioners were concerned with the traffic flow and available parking spaces. Mario Addona stated that he and his brother operate a small family run business, generally catering to parties of less than 120. Parties are generally held on Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons and very seldom would more than one party be accommodated on the same day. Mr. Addona and his brother both have full time jobs and parties during the week are very rare. They do not prepare food to go outside of the building. An alcohol license will be applied for. Deliveries to the building would be minimal. There is enough room for trucks to maneuver around the building. Mr. Addona stated that there would be 4-5 employees. There is no additional lighting being proposed. Chairman Hiscox asked and was given permission for individual visits from the Commissioners rather than setting an official site walk. The hearing was opened to public comment. Bonnie Davis, 6 Orchard Dr, stated a concern with noise from bands that are hired to entertain and asked that the building be insulated well enough to keep noise levels down. Mr. Lorusso stated that the band area was proposed to direct broadcasting towards Waterbury Road. Edward Miller asked whether the post office employees would still be allowed to park on this property during daytime hours. There were no further comments from the public. The public hearing was continued to February 19, 2003 at 7:15 p.m. Chairman Hiscox asked the applicant to provide more specifics on the size of crowds and the hours of operations. Bill Donovan reminded the Commissioners that their review of this application must refer to compliance with Section 540.8 of the Regulations.
c. Hank Berberat, 83 Union City Road. Application to Amend Section 311 of the Zoning Regulations - Regulations for Elderly Housing in Residential Zones. The public hearing opened at 8:25 p.m. Chairman Hiscox read the notice of public hearing as it appeared in the Waterbury Republican American as well as a Referral from Virginia Mason, Senior Planner at the Regional Planning Commission of the Central Naugatuck Valley, dated January 30, 2003. Hank Berberat reviewed the proposed changes with the Commissioners. Paul Violette, 147 Union City Road, stated that he felt there was a need for 55 and older housing but questioned whether there needed to be 3-bedroom units. Mr. Violette also asked whether an elderly housing development would always remain and "elderly housing development". Bill Donovan stated that the Special Permit would regulate the development. Jean Reilly, Union City Road, stated that the Town needs this type of housing and asked that the Commission relate information regarding developments of this type to the Commission on Aging. There were no further comments from the public. Motion by A. Havican, seconded by G. Graveline to close the public hearing for a proposed amendment to Section 311 of the Zoning Regulations - Regulations for Elderly Housing in Residential Zones. Unanimous. Chairman Hiscox asked Bill Donovan to draft specific language regarding the proposed changes, including appropriate bonding and run it by the Town Attorney to see if there are conflicts with other Regulations.
New Business:
a. Trident Equity Associates, 104 Waterbury Road. Application to Amend the Zoning Regulations to Add "Consignment Shop" as an Allowed Use in a General Commercial Zone. Mark Guastaferri of Trident Equity Associates presented the application. During discussion with the Commissioners on a definition of a consignment shop, Bill Donovan stated that a second hand store is already allowed in the Zoning Regulations. The Commissioners agreed that a consignment shop could be described as a second hand store. Mr. Guastaferri withdrew this application.
b. Steve Giordano, 9 Radio Tower Road. Application for a Home Occupation Permit for Lawn Care Services. Chairman Hiscox read a letter from Thomas Giordano, owner of the property at 9 Radio Tower Road, giving permission for Steve Giordano to apply for a home occupation permit. Steve Giordano reviewed the application with the Commission. Chairman Hiscox instructed Mr. Giordano to get approval from Bill Donovan for any future signage. Hours of operation would be from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Motion by D. Pomeroy, seconded by T. Galvin to accept and approve the application submitted by Steve Giordano for a Home Occupation Permit for Lawn Care Services for 9 Radio Tower Road for a 3-year period. Unanimous. G. Graveline noted for the applicant that making noise with equipment, i.e. loading, unloading, maintenance, etc., is not allowed before the approved start time or after the approved stop time.
Motion by D. Pomeroy, seconded by T. Galvin to add to the agenda under New Business an application for a special Permit for a consignment shop/second hand store at 104 Waterbury Road. Unanimous.
c. Trident Equity Associates, 104 Waterbury Road. Application for a Special Permit for a Consignment Shop/Second Hand Store. Mark Guastaferri reviewed the area to be used for the consignment shop. Motion by A. Havican, seconded by G. Graveline to accept the application for a Special Permit for a consignment shop/second hand store at 104 Waterbury Road and set a public hearing for February 19, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. Unanimous. Chairman Hiscox suggested that Bill Donovan draft a Resolution of Approval for this application addressing parking, additional signage, no outside display of materials and hours of operation. Mr. Guastaferri asked the Commissioners to consider a reduced fee for this application. The Commissioners agreed to set the fees for this application at $175.00 and $10.00.
Public Participation: Joe Commendatore, Board of Recreation, reviewed height regulations for a flagpole to be erected at Caplan Park.
Land Use Inspector's Report: Bill Donovan stated he continues to receive concerns from the neighbors regarding use of the storage facility in the Industrial Park for trucks starting early on a daily basis. Chairman Hiscox directed Bill to contact the Town Attorney and have a letter sent to the Christiano's on Platt Drive regarding the commercial storage container and backhoe. Chairman Hiscox also requested an opinion from the Town Attorney regarding the Christiano situation. Motion by D. Pomeroy, seconded by A. Havican to accept the Land Use Inspector's report. Unanimous.
2003-2004 Planning & Zoning Budget Request: The Commissioners reviewed last year's budget and proposed the following changes for 2003-2004. 1) Reduce Item 5600-01, Clerk/Clerical Asst. to $5,000.00 with the recommendation that the reduction of $4,000.00 be added to the Land Use Inspector's budget for Land Use Clerk to allow sufficient funds for a clerical assistant in the Land Use office. 2) Reduce Item 5600-04, Review Plan Dev. & PZ Regs. to $10,000.00 which will provide the necessary funding for final review of the Town's Subdivision Regulations. The recommended changes would net a saving of $9,000.00 for the Town. Motion by D. Pomeroy, seconded by T. Galvin to approve the 2003-2004 P & Z budget request as discussed. Unanimous.
Motion by A. Havican, seconded by G. Graveline to adjourn at 10:15 p.m. Unanimous.