May 7, 2003
Chairman Robert Hiscox called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was taped. Francis Carpentier was seated for Donald Pomeroy.
Approval of Minutes: Motion by T. Galvin, seconded by G. Graveline to approve the minutes of the April 16, 2003 meeting as presented. Unanimous.
Correspondence:
Motion by G. Graveline, seconded by A. Havican to accept the correspondence. Unanimous. Motion by A. Havican, seconded by F. Carpentier to approve the payment of Invoice #883510 from HMA, Inc. in the amount of $500.00. Unanimous. Motion by G. Graveline, seconded by T. Galvin to approve the payment of Invoice #228 and #229 from Connecticut Consulting Engineers, LLC, in the amount of $301.13 and $363.00. Unanimous. D. Pomeroy arrived at 7:04 p.m. and consequently, F. Carpentier was unseated for the remainder of the meeting.
Public Participation: Joe Commendatore, 33 Clark Hill Road, requested on behalf of the owners of the car wash at 94 Waterbury Road, approval for a temporary, detached seasonal canopy for express detailing of cars to be located between the grass island and the oil lube facility. Chairman Hiscox indicated that the approved site plan for the car wash indicated a possible future expansion to include a detail center. Mr. Commendatore stated that the awning is not a canvas garage and will not be used for storage. Bill Donovan was instructed by the Commission to issue a zoning permit for the temporary, seasonal canopy with the understanding that the Commission reserves the right to ask that the canopy be removed should any problems arise. It was noted that any future permanent structure would require a site plan application. Mayor Robert Chatfield, 25 Cornwall Avenue, commented that the Commissioners were doing a phenomenal job with the proposed regulation updates. Mayor Chatfield noted, however, that he felt the current regulation allowing the display of political signs 60 days prior to an election was more than sufficient and did not see the need to increase the display period to 90 days prior to an election.
Old Business:
c. Maureen K. Perugini, 24 Industrial Road. Site Plan Application for a Warehouse/Indoor Storage. This application was accepted at the April 16, 2003 meeting. Victor Perugini noted the changes made to the site plan as requested at the last meeting. A 100’ buffer has been indicated between the proposed parking area and the residential zone and a 15-foot access lane is shown around the building as well. Bill stated that he and Gene McCarthy, Assistant Director of Public Works, are requesting an additional yard drain to direct any additional runoff to the proposed stormwater drain rather than water sheetflowing down the driveway. This change was noted on the map and initialed by Mr. Perugini. Motion by D. Pomeroy, seconded by G. Graveline to approve the site plan application for Maureen K. Perugini for a warehouse/indoor storage for property located at 24 Industrial Road and shown on map titled “Septic System Plan, Plot Plan, Lot 11, Prospect Industrial Center Road, Prospect, CT”, dated 3-9-03 as amended to 5-7-03. Unanimous.
The Commissioners spent a few minutes before the scheduled time of the first public hearing to review a Draft Resolution of Approval for “Fulling Mill Ridge Subdivision” as prepared by Bill Donovan.
Public Hearings:
a. Connecticut Water Company, 93 West Main Street, Clinton, CT. Special Permit Application for Construction of a Water Storage Tank – 120 New Haven Road. The public hearing was opened at 7:15 p.m. Chairman Hiscox read the notice of public hearing as it appeared in the Waterbury Republican American. Mayor Robert Chatfield gave a history on the need for a water supply in the Town. Mayor Chatfield explained that the water storage tank project is a combined effort between the Town of Prospect and the Connecticut Water Company. The Town was awarded a $1,350,000.00 grant for the project. The Town will own the 1-million gallon storage tank. The Connecticut Water Company owns the property and will construct and maintain the infrastructure around the tank. Currently, fire hydrants in Town provide 1,000 gallons of water per minute. The proposed storage tank will increase that volume to 3,000 gallons of water per minute. The Mayor is hopeful that the fire insurance rating will improve for the Town resulting in lower insurance premiums for homeowners. Craig Patla, Senior Engineer for the Connecticut Water Company, explained that the proposed storage tank is an integral part of the overall water supply plan for the Town. Mr. Patla described the tank and explained the need for the tank height of 105 feet. The site line and landscaping were detailed as well. Lighting is not necessary at the top of the tank as the tank will not be within FAA regulated air space. There will be no noise associated with the tank. The hearing was opened to the public for comments. There were no comments from the public. Motion by T. Galvin, seconded by D. Pomeroy to close the public hearing for the Connecticut Water Company for a special permit for construction of a water storage tank on property located at 120 New Haven Road. Unanimous. Motion by G. Graveline, seconded by T. Galvin to approve the special permit for construction of a water storage tank for property located at 120 New Haven Road and shown on map titled “Prospect Water Storage Tank Site Plan, Prospect, Connecticut” with latest revision date of 5-2-03, as the proposed water storage tank complies with the intent of the regulations and is in accord with the public convenience and welfare. Unanimous.
b. Shannon Development Company, LLC, 80 Straitsville Road. Application for a Proposed 5-Lot Subdivision. Chairman Hiscox read a letter dated May 7, 2003 from the applicant’s engineer, Scott Poryanda of Connecticut Consulting Engineers, LLC, asking that the public hearing be continued to the next meeting. The public hearing was opened at 7:45 p.m. and Chairman Hiscox read the notice of public hearing as it appeared in the Waterbury Republican American. The applicant was not in attendance. Bill Donovan noted that there is a public hearing scheduled for this proposed subdivision at the May 12, 2003 meeting of the Inland Wetlands Commission. There were no comments from the public. The public hearing was continued to May 21, 2003 at 7:15 p.m.
Old Business:
a. American General Investors, LLC, 62 Waterbury Road. Site Plan Application for a Retail and Office Building. This application was accepted at the March 19, 2003 meeting. David Carson, OCC Design Consortium, represented the applicant and stated that the application has been approved by Chesprocott and reviewed by the State D.O.T. as well. Mr. Carson addressed comments from the last meeting regarding drainage after it exits the site, stating that Gene McCarthy, Assistant Director of Public Works, confirmed that the surface water collected in the proposed detention pond will exit the property through the existing drainage system that runs under Route 69 to Hotchkiss Field and then is directed towards Route 68, not towards Knapp Drive. Mr. Carson also addressed questions raised by G. Graveline regarding the turning radius in the parking area. Discussion was held on the possibility of connecting the proposed parking lot for the retail building to Fleet Bank’s parking lot. Mr. Carson stated the site plan was designed to allow for that possibility should Fleet Bank agree to it. Chairman Hiscox indicated that the Commission would encourage the applicant to pursue the possibility of joining the two parking areas.
b. Robert Knapp, 585 Park Road Ext., Middlebury, CT. Application for a Proposed 10-Lot Subdivision – 120 Salem Road. The public hearing on this application was closed at the April 16, 2003 meeting. Robert Knapp stated that the Draft Resolution of Approval indicates that “all utility lines/connections shall be placed underground.” Mr. Knapp pointed out that Lot 10 (Salem Road) would have overhead utilities. Bill Donovan stated that the Prospect Land Trust is not going to accept the property proposed as open space, therefore a fee will be paid in lieu of open space. The Commissioners instructed Bill to include in the Resolution of Approval that the developer would place the proper conservation easement restriction on Lot 3 relative to the protection of Fulling Mill Brook. Motion by D. Pomeroy, seconded by A. Havican to approve the Draft Motion of Approval for “Fulling Mill Ridge Subdivision” as amended. Unanimous.
Land Use Inspector’s Report: Bill Donovan stated that a site improvement bond should be required for the site plan approved for Maureen Perugini. Motion by G. Graveline, seconded by A. Havican to require a site improvement bond in the amount to be determined by staff and approved by the Planning & Zoning Commission in such form acceptable to the Town Attorney for Maureen K. Perugini, 24 Industrial Road. Unanimous. Bill indicated that Peter Daddona, Paintball Adventure Games, asked for permission to extend his final date of operation to May 18th. The Commissioners had no problem with the final date of operation being May 18th, reiterating that the site should be completely cleared by June 1st. The building at 72 Waterbury Road that was supposed to be refaced for a banquet facility needed to have the old cinder blocks removed and replaced with new material. The original foundation will remain. Surface water issues with neighboring properties behind Naugatuck Savings Bank were quickly addressed and corrected by the bank. Bill reminded the Commissioners to review the draft updates to the Regulations for the public meeting on May 8th. Motion by T. Galvin, seconded by A. Havican to accept the Land Use Inspector’s Report. Unanimous.
Public Participation: Mark Guastaferri, American General Investors, asked if the Commissioners would consider acting on his site plan application. Chairman Hiscox indicated his desire to continue pursuing the possibility of connecting the parking areas of the proposed retail center to Fleet Bank. Mr. Guastaferri indicated that he would pursue that possibility, but noted that it could take some time to gain approval from Fleet Bank management. Motion by T. Galvin, seconded by G. Graveline to approve the site plan application for American General Investors, LLC, for a retail and office building for property located at 62 Waterbury Road and shown on map titled “Site Plan for Proposed Commercial Plaza, 62 Waterbury Road, Prospect, Connecticut” with latest revision date Apr. 4, 2003, and require a site improvement bond in the amount to be determined by staff and approved by the Planning & Zoning Commission in such form acceptable to the Town Attorney. Unanimous.
Motion by A. Havican, seconded by G. Graveline to adjourn at 9:35 p.m. Unanimous.