Board Members Present: Robert Hiscox, Gil Graveline, Donald Pomeroy
Alternates Present: None
Others Present: Bill Donovan, Land Use Inspector
Members Absent: Alan Havican, Thomas Galvin, Francis Carpentier (Alt.), Anthony Parrella (Alt.), Alexander Delelle (Alt.)
Robert Hiscox called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. The meeting was taped.
Approval of Minutes: Motion by G. Graveline, seconded by D. Pomeroy to approve the minutes of the May 19, 2004 meeting as amended. In favor, R. Hiscox & G. Graveline. D. Pomeroy abstained. Motion Carried.
Motion by D. Pomeroy, seconded by G. Graveline to approve payment to HMA, Inc. in the amount of $950.00 for Invoice #883823 dated May 24, 2004 re: subdivision update. Unanimous. Motion by G. Graveline, seconded by D. Pomeroy to accept the correspondence. Unanimous.
Public Participation: Kolleen Gillis, 25 Platt Drive, asked the status of the storage container at 27 Platt Drive. Bill Donovan indicated that it was completed. Mrs. Gillis stated that there is no siding on one side of the storage container and the roof is not finished. Bill Donovan will look into the matter. Mrs. Gillis also suggested that the Commission should consider future changes to the Zoning Regulations to address the size of recreational vehicles allowed in a residential area, as well as not allowing recreational vehicles to be left running for extended periods of time. Tom Battiste, 38 Industrial Road, asked the Commissioners thoughts on making a change to his residential property that abuts the storage facility property at the end of Industrial Road. Chairman Hiscox suggested that Mr. Battiste discuss the potential for that property with Bill Donovan.
Old Business:
a. Thomas Battiste, 38 Industrial Road. Site Plan Amendment – Additional Storage Building. Mr. Battiste
submitted the application and appropriate fees as discussed at the May 19, 2004 meeting. The Commissioners
reviewed the application for an additional 2,400 square foot storage building. Motion by G. Graveline, seconded by D. Pomeroy to accept and approve the site plan amendment for an additional storage building for property located at 38 Industrial Road. Unanimous.
New Business:
a. Michael & Christine McAllen, 170 Scott Road. Application for a Change of Zone from Residential to Industrial. Mr. & Mrs. McAllen presented the application for a change of zone indicating that half of the property is in Prospect and the other half is in Waterbury. The Waterbury portion of this property is zoned industrial and the McAllen’s would like to make the entire piece industrial. Chairman Hiscox asked the McAllen’s about access to the property. The McAllen’s presented a map indicating an access strip formerly referred to as “Old Scott Road”. Chairman Hiscox stated a concern with changing this parcel to industrial, as it will be abutting a new commerce park zone when the revised zoning map becomes effective on June 14, 2004. Bill Donovan suggested a change of zone to Industrial-2, which would conform with another Industrial-2 zone on the opposite side of the commerce park zone. The application was revised to reflect a request for a change in zone from Residential to Industrial-2. Chairman Hiscox suggested that the applicant have a surveyor clarify on a new map what the McAllens’ actually own, specifically regarding access to the property. Motion by D. Pomeroy, seconded by G. Graveline to accept the application for a change of zone from Residential to Industrial-2 for property located at 170 Scott Road and set a public hearing for July 7, 2004 at 7:30 p.m. Unanimous.
Motion by G. Graveline, seconded by D. Pomeroy to add Mark & Noel Christoforo for an application for a Home Occupation Permit to the agenda under “New Business”. Unanimous.
b. Mark & Noel Christoforo, 26 Williams Drive. Application for a Home Occupation Permit – Landscaping/ Lawncare Services. Mr. & Mrs. Christoforo presented the application for landscaping, lawn mowing, shrub trimming, snow removal and spring and fall clean-up. There would be no storage of heavy equipment on the premises and no storage of pesticides. Mr. Christoforo owns a ¾ ton pickup with his business name on removable signs. No other commercial vehicles will be parked on site. One full time employee might park a personal vehicle during the day on site. G. Graveline cautioned the applicant not to run equipment, ie. for maintenance purposes, before 8:00 a.m. or at the end of a work day. Mrs. Christoforo indicated they would be placing a sign (3 square foot maximum) on their property. Fees in the amount of $25.00 and $20.00 were paid. Motion by D. Pomeroy, seconded by G. Graveline to accept and approve the application for a home occupation permit for landscaping/lawncare services for property located at 26 Williams Drive. Unanimous.
Bill Donovan indicated to the Commissioners that the owner of property located at 54A Talmadge Hill Road was in attendance with an architect to give an informal presentation of a proposal for congregate elderly housing on that site. The Commissioners allowed the presentation. Dean Berman of Berman Associates of Hamden and Paul Schieffer owner of 54A Talmadge Hill Road, reviewed a conceptual plan for a proposed elderly housing development consisting of 280 units. The plan would include a 35,000 square foot retail area within the commercial strip that fronts this property. Mr. Berman indicated the plan would be phased over a period of about 10 years. G. Graveline raised a concern with proposed 3-story units. Mr. Schieffer stated the units were within the 35-foot maximum height requirement. Mr. Berman indicated that the water line would be extended to this site along Route 69 and that sanitary discharge would be handled with an on-site mini sewage system. The retail area would likely have a separate septic system. Mr. Schieffer indicated that a portion of this development could be designated as affordable senior housing. All utility lines would be underground. The Commissioners indicated that the initial conceptual plan seemed to fit with the area and encouraged Mr. Schieffer to continue pursuing such a project.
Land Use Inspector’s Report: Bill Donovan reviewed an application before the Zoning Board of Appeals regarding an electronic message sign at CVS Pharmacy. The Commissioners were adamantly opposed to the idea of allowing such a sign and instructed Bill to draft a letter of opposition on behalf of the Planning & Zoning Commission. Bill indicated that Luigi DeMagistris, 198 New Haven Road, had for a second time neglected to file a Mylar map on his re-subdivision in a timely manner. Consequently, the second approval by the Planning & Zoning Commission is null and void. Bill asked the Commissions’ indulgence on allowing another application to be presented and hold a public hearing regarding the re-subdivision. Bill also asked the Commission to consider reducing the fees for the application as Mr. DeMagistris has already paid fees in excess of the actual cost to the Town. Chairman Hiscox indicated that Mr. DeMagistris should submit an application at the next regular meeting and suggested that the fees be set to cover the cost of legal notices and mailings. Bill reported that he has issued a home occupation permit for the home occupation business reported to the Commission during the dispute over placement of a mailbox on Clark Hill Road. The property owner submitted an application, fees have been paid and everything is in order. The property owner on Rek Lane has been issued a fine, but has neglected to pick up the certified notice Bill sent. Bill also indicated that the Monsam property at 40 Summit Road has been cleared of excessive motor vehicles. Chairman Hiscox stated he noted several vehicles on that property within the past week. Chairman Hiscox stated that he would continue to encourage people with businesses to come in for a permit, especially long time businesses, to be on file prior to the effective date of the new regulations. Motion by G. Graveline, seconded by D. Pomeroy to accept the Land Use Inspector’s Report. Unanimous.
Public Participation: None
Motion by D. Pomeroy, seconded by G. Graveline to adjourn at 8:26 p.m. Unanimous.
Robert Hiscox
Robert Hiscox, Chairman