Alternates present: None
Others Present: Bill Donovan, Land Use Inspector
Members Absent: Richard Hiscox, Francis Carpentier (Alt.), Anthony Parrella (Alt.) and Alexandar Delelle
(Alt.)
Vice Chairman G. Graveline called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was taped.
Approval of Minutes: Motion by D. Pomeroy, seconded by T. Galvin to approve the minutes of April 6, 2005 meeting as amended. The vote on the motion was 3-0 in favor with A. Havican abstaining. Motion carried.
Correspondence:
Motion by A. Havican, seconded by D. Pomeroy to accept the correspondence. Unanimous.
Public Participation: None
Old Business: See Page 3.
Public Hearings: None
New Business: a. Sean Galvin, 27 Rockridge Terrace. Application for a Special Permit for a Home Occupation - Lawn Care Service. T. Galvin excused himself for this application. Sean Galvin presented the application for a lawn maintenance and snow removal business. Mr. Galvin is proposing an office with himself as the only employee. There will be one pick-up truck associated with the business. No customers or service providers will be coming to his home. There will be no indoor storage of tools or equipment. Fees have been paid. Motion by A. Havican, seconded by D. Pomeroy to accept the application for lawn maintenance and snow removal business at 27 Rockridge Terrace and set a public hearing for May 4, 2005 at 7:15 p.m. Unanimous.
b.Fred Eichman, 38 Industrial Road. Application for a Change in Use - Property Maintenance Business The applicant was not in attendance.
c. Mario Addona, 72-74 Waterbury Road. Site Plan Amendment - Gazebo. Mario Addona of Addona's Catering, stated he was seeking approval to place a gazebo in the back corner of the property to allow for pictures to be taken when a wedding or other function is being catered at the banquet facility. A six-foot high vinyl fence will be constructed around the gazebo and the fence will be locked. The gate will remain locked at all times unless pictures are being taken. The area will be landscaped. Mr. Addona provided a picture of the gazebo and noted on the site plan map where the gazebo would be located. Bill Donovan stated that the proposed location would comply with required setbacks. The Commissioners discussed possible disturbance to abutting property owners. Mr. Addona stated that the additional fencing and keeping the gate locked unless the gazebo is being used for picture taking should keep disturbance to the neighbors at a minimum. Bonnie Davis, 6 Orchard Drive, was in attendance and the Commissioners allowed Mrs. Davis to comment on the proposed amendment. Mrs. Davis indicated that Mr. Addona has been a good neighbor and that Mr. Addona seems to be taking steps to avoid disturbance to the neighbors if the gazebo is allowed. Motion by T. Galvin, seconded by A. Havican to amend the site plan for the banquet facility at 72 Waterbury Road to allow for a gazebo.Unanimous
d.Prospect Girl's Softball Association, 36 Center Street. Application for a Permanent Scoreboard and a Temporary Storage Structure at Canfield Park. V. Chairman G. Graveline stated that there are two separate applications and each application would be voted on separately. Larry Gomez, president of the Girl's Softball Association presented the first application for a permanent scoreboard at Canfield Park to be donated by NJL Corporation im memory of their father, Robert Capanna. The wiring for the scoreboard would be done under the direction of Gene McCarthy, Assistant Director of Public Works. The 10-foot by 4-foot scoreboard would stand about 12 feet high and be internally lit. Mr. Gomez stated there would be no advertisements on the scoreboard. Chris Moffo, Prospect's Recreation Director, stated that Mr. Gomez had presented the proposed scoreboard to the Board of Recreation. The Board of Recreation directed Mr. Gomez to obtain approval from Planning and Zoning. Mr. Moffo indicated he would have a letter sent from the Board of Recreation authorizing Mr. Gomez to present the application. D. Pomeroy questioned who would maintain the scoreboard. D. Pomeroy also stated that the scoreboard is larger than the regulation size sign in a Business Zone and noted for the record that this scorboard is being used for recreation purposes not for commericial advertising. The Commissioners agreed that fees would be waived for this application. Motion by T. Galvin, seconded by D. Pomeroy to accept and approve the application submitted by the Prospect Girl's Softball Association for a permanent scoreboard at Canfield Park with the condition that a letter is received from the Board of Recreation authorizing the installation on Town Property and to waive the fees for this application.Unanimous
Larry Gomez described a temporary inflatable storage pod that the softball association would like to utilize for storage of equipment to eliminate the need for hauling equipment for each game. The pod would be leased for a three-month period and then removed. The commissioners were not familiar with inflatable pods and questioned Mr. Gomez on sturdiness and security. Dimensions of the pod are 8'x8'x12'. The Commissioners had concerns with allowing a structure of this type particularly noting the proposed amendment to the Regulations regarding "Portable Storage Containers." If the softball association is granted this storage container, the possibility would exist that all groups in Town would do the same. Discussion was held on the possibility of installing a permanent storage shed similar to the concession stand that currently exists at Canfield Park that could be used for football and softball. Mr. Gomez stated that the proposed unit seemed the quickest way to solve the problem while being less cumberstome to the Town. Another concern was the advertisement for "Pods" that is usually printed on this type of container. The Commissioners encouraged Mr. Gomez to pursue a permanent structure to possibly be used by other groups as well. Bill Donovan noted Section 4.6 of the Regulations limits temporary structures to seasonal camps only. Motion by D. Pomeroy, seconded by A. Havican to accept and approve the application submitted by the Prospect Girl's Association for a temporary inflatable storage unit at Canfield Park with no advertisements for the 2005 three-month season only and waive the fees for this application. G. Graveline, A. Havican and D. Pomeroy voted in favor of the motion. Motion carried. The Commissioners asked Chris Moffo, Recreation Director, to provide a letter of authorization from the Board of Recreation for this application as well.
e.Prospect Pools, 52 Waterbury Road. Application for a Change in Use - Pool Store. Chris Keeler, owner of Prospect Pools, stated that he is relocating his business from 130 Waterbury Road to property he owns at 52 Waterbury Road. The area in the building he will be occupying was previously occupied by a dry cleaning business. Mr. Keeler reviewed the site plan for the Commissioners noting available parking and location of an outdoor storage container to store construction tools. No chemicals will be stored at the site. The parking lot will be extended at the rear of the property. D. Pomeroy questioned whether tractor-trailer trucks making deliveries would need to halt traffic on Route 69 when entering or exiting the property. Mr. Keeler stated that with the extension of the parking lot it might be possible for a tractor-trailer to go around the building eliminating the need to halt traffic when deliveries are made, but noted it may still be necessary to unload larger vehicles from Route 69. Bill Donovan noted that additional signage was added as well for the pool store. Motion by T. Galvin, seconded by D. Pomeroy to accept and approve the application for a change in use for property at 52 Waterbury Road for a pool store with an outside storage container, noting additonal signage in accordance wit the Regulatioins. Unanimous.
f.Mark & Joan Chevrier, 215 Cheshire Road, Site Plan Amendment - Permanent Structure. The applicant was not in attendance. Bill Donovan explained the need for a site plan amendment, as Bill will not be at the next meeting. Mr. Chevrier is planning to be at the next meeting.
Old Business: a. Toll Brothers, Inc., 53 Church Hill Road, Newtown, CT. Petition to Amend the Zoning Regulations - Section 4-1-Elderly Housing. V. Chairman Graveline suggested waiting until the next meeting for discussion on the proposed changes when the Chairman will be in attendance. Bill Donovan suggested the Commissioners review the letter sent by the Town Attorney regarding the property changes in this petition. D. Pomeroy asked Bill Donovan for clarification on "Set aside" developments. Further discussion will be held at the next meeting.
b. Town of Prospect, 36 Center Street. Proposed Text Changes, Corrections, Deletions and Additions to Zoning & Subdivision Regulations. The public hearing for the proposed changes was closed at the April 6, 2005 meeting. Bill Donovan proposed changes with the Commissioners. After a brief discussion the Commissioners agreed with the changes as outlined in the memorandum prepared by Bill Donovan dated April 6, 2005. Motion by D.Pomeroy, seconded by T. Galvin to approve the text changes, conrections, deletions and additions to Zoning & Subdivision Regulations as detailed in a memorandum dated April 6, 2005 prepared by Land Use Inspector and Set the effective date as May 17, 2005. Unanimous. D. Pomeroy suggested that any amendment made by the Regulations include the date of the amendment within the specific section.
Land Use Inspector's Report: Bill Donovan submitted a letter from Gene McCarthy, Assistant Director of Public Works and Bill Donovan, recommending a site development bond for Prospect Estates Subdivision. The Commissioners reviewed the recommendation. Motion by A. Havican, seconded by D. Pomeroy to set the site development bond for Prospect Estates Subdivision in the amount recommended by Gene McCarthy and Bill Donovan. Unanimous. Bill submitted copies of an enforcement letter dated April 15, 2005 and a Cease and Desist Order dated April 18, 2005 regarding storage of commercial vehicles at 59 Plank Road. Bill also discussed letters sent regarding zoning violations at 74 Plank Road for a large boat and trailer, 14 Plank Road for a large trailer and 37 Plank Road for junk vehicles and a temporary structure. Bill stated for the Commissioners information that Tom Battiste has sold Prospect Storage to the Lombard family. Bill also noted that the Town Attorney is currently arguing an appeal on the Town's behalf regarding the Sydoriak property on Morris Road. Motion by A. Havican, seconded by D. Pomeroy to accept the Land Use Inspector's report. Unanimous
Public Participation None
Motion by D. Pomeroy, seconded by A. Havican to adjourn the meeting at 8:37 p.m. unanimous
Gil Graveline, Vice Chairman