PROSPECT PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
APPROVED MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 3, 2003
Board Members Present: Robert Hiscox, Gil Graveline (7:01), Alan Havican, Donald Pomeroy, Thomas Galvin
Alternates Present: Francis Carpentier, Alexander Delelle
Others Present: Bill Donovan – Land Use Inspector
Members Absent: Anthony Parrella (Alt.)
Chairman Robert Hiscox called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was taped. F. Carpentier was seated for G. Graveline until G. Graveline arrived at 7:01 p.m.
Approval of Minutes: Motion by T. Galvin, seconded by D. Pomeroy to approve the minutes of the August 6, 2003 meeting as presented. Unanimous.
Correspondence:
Motion by A. Havican, seconded by G. Graveline to accept the correspondence. Unanimous.
Public Participation: Roger Terni, 15 Country Brook Road, presented a petition with 35 signatures of residents in his neighborhood requesting enforcement action relating to a tree removal business and professional dirt bike track located at 59 Plank Road. Chairman Hiscox read the petition into the record. Mark Poulin, 69 Plank Road and Laura Barber, 16 Boardman Drive, described how the commercial vehicles and ATV’s are affecting the quality of life in this neighborhood. Chairman Hiscox indicated that the Commissioners would discuss enforcement action later in the meeting and encouraged the residents to bring their concerns to the Town Council and the Inland Wetlands Commission as well.
New Business:
b. Shannon Development, 80 Straitsville Road. Application for a 2-lot Subdivision. Attorney Alan Giacomi and Kathy Mazzeo of Shannon Development submitted the application for a 2-lot subdivision at 80 Straitsville Road. Mr. Giacomi asked that fees paid earlier this year on a withdrawn application for this same site be considered as payment of the fees due for this application. Bill Donovan indicated that fees previously collected from Shannon Development in April 2003 on a withdrawn application would cover the fees associated with the current application. The Commissioners agreed to apply the previous fees collected to the current application and waive any additional fees. Motion by D. Pomeroy, seconded by G. Graveline to accept the application for a 2-lot subdivision at 80 Straitsville Road and set a public hearing for September 17, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. Unanimous.
Old Business:
a. Town of Prospect – Board of Recreation, 36 Center Street. Site Plan Application for Volleyball Courts & Skating Rink – Hotchkiss Field.
b. Tesco Rentals, LLC, 151 & 155 Union City Road. Application for a Special Permit for a Residential Development for Elderly Persons. Attorney Edward Fitzpatrick represented the applicant and stated that Inland Wetlands approval has been received. Bill Donovan submitted a letter from the Inland Wetlands Commission dated August 30, 2003 indicating approval for regulated activities associated with the proposed elderly housing complex. The Commissioners reviewed the Draft Resolution of Approval as prepared by Bill Donovan as well as the latest revised site plan. Chairman Hiscox asked whether an architectural design was included with the proposed site plan. Attorney Fitzpatrick stated that the architectural design would be consistent with drawings submitted during the public hearing. Motion by D. Pomeroy, seconded by T. Galvin to approve the Draft Resolution of Approval for a Special Permit for a Residential Development for Elderly Persons as amended to indicate that the architectural design of the units shall be consistent with drawings submitted during the public hearing. Chairman Hiscox stated for the record that the project complies with the criteria set forth under Section 540.8 of the Regulations, is congruous with the Town’s Plan of Conservation and Development and is in the highest and best use of the property. The vote on the motion was Approved Unanimously.
New Business:
a. VW Properties, Inc., 72 –74 Waterbury Road. Site Plan Amendment – Outside Storage. Mario Addona of Addona Catering and Vincent Lorusso, VW Properties, explained that there was an oversight on the original site plan for the banquet facility at 72-74 Waterbury Road to include a dumpster area. Mr. Addona is proposing a fenced area for a 2-yard dumpster at the rear corner of the property. The Commissioners agreed to allow the dumpster area as proposed.
Old Business:
a. Town of Prospect – Board of Recreation, 36 Center Street. Site Plan Application for Volleyball Courts & Skating Rink – Hotchkiss Field. This application was accepted at the July 16, 2003 meeting. Bill Donovan indicated that the Board of Recreation is still reviewing alternative plans for the volleyball courts and skating rink as recommended by the Commissioners at the August 6, 2003 meeting. Motion by D. Pomeroy, seconded by T. Galvin to approve the site plan application as submitted by the Board of Recreation for volleyball courts and a skating rink at Hotchkiss Field. Under discussion the Commissioners stated concerns with the proposed additional entrance to the park citing the Town’s Plan of Development encouraging minimal road cuts along this corridor and safety issues with merging lanes at the proposed new entrance. G. Graveline also indicated he would like to see an updated site plan for the park in order to have a better idea of where there might be sufficient room for future development. The Commissioners felt that the location of the volleyball courts and the skating rink were fine, but the areas should be accessed by utilizing the existing entrance off of Route 69. The motion was Denied Unanimously.
Public Hearings: None
Land Use Inspector’s Report: Bill Donovan reviewed for the Commissioners past enforcement actions taken against the tree removal company located at 59 Plank Road. It was noted that the construction of a dirt bike track and use of ATV’s are not customary uses in a residential neighborhood. Motion by A. Havican, seconded by G. Graveline to direct Bill Donovan to take immediate action to eliminate the zoning violations at 59 Plank Road. Unanimous. Chairman Hiscox suggested that the Inland Wetlands Commission be made aware of the possible disturbance to wetlands in the area. The Commissioners discussed a follow-up memo from Dick Harrall, HMA, Inc., regarding a meeting held on August 28, 2003 with HMA, Inc., the Town Attorney, G. Graveline, T. Galvin and Bill Donovan. The memo addressed issues to be accomplished prior to circulation of the final draft of the proposed regulations and scheduling of the public hearing. Motion by A. Havican, seconded by D. Pomeroy to accept the Land Use Inspector’s Report. Unanimous.
Public Participation: None
Motion by G. Graveline, seconded by A. Havican to adjourn at 9:13 p.m. Unanimous.
Robert Hiscox
Robert Hiscox, Chairman