Board Members Present: Robert Hiscox, Gil Graveline, Alan Havican, Donald Pomeroy and Thomas Galvin
Alternates Present: None
Others Present: Bill Donovan, Land Use Inspector
Members Absent: Francis Carpentier (Alt.), Anthony Parrella (Alt.) and Alexander Delelle (Alt.)
Chairman Robert Hiscox called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was taped.
Approval of Minutes: Chairman Hiscox noted that he had not submitted an article to the Prospect Pages regarding the Regulations as noted in the 12/15/04 minutes but that he and Bill Donovan would work towards submitting an article for the next issue of the Prospect Pages. Motion by A. Havican, seconded by T. Galvin to approve the minutes of the December 15, 2004 meeting as amended. Unanimous.
Correspondence:
1. Invoice dated December 8, 2004 from Connecticut Consulting Engineers, LLC, for Engineering Review for Southridge Estates, Phase II, in the amount of $625.63.
2. Request from the Office of the Mayor for Proposed 2005-2006 Planning & Zoning Budget.
Motion by T. Galvin, seconded by G. Graveline to approve payment to Connecticut Consulting Engineers in the amount of $625.63. Unanimous. Motion by D. Pomeroy, seconded by G. Graveline to accept the correspondence. Unanimous.
Public Participation: None
Old Business:
a. O & G Industries, Inc., 112 Wall Street, Torrington, CT. Application for a Two Year Renewal of Special Permit for Earth Removal (Rock Quarry) – Spring & Salem Road. The public hearing for this application was closed on December 15, 2004. The Commissioners reviewed a Draft Resolution of Approval as prepared by Bill Donovan. It was noted that the date of the bi-annual permit review in Item #20 should be January 2006. Item #20 on the Resolution was added this year to require a comprehensive site reclamation plan to be presented at the January 2006 bi-annual permit review. O & G will also monitor the effects of seasonal (winter) pre-drilling of holes against the increase of “blow-outs” which seem to be associated with the first initial blasts of the year and report those findings to the Commission at the bi-annual review. Motion by D. Pomeroy, seconded by A. Havican to approve the Resolution of Approval as amended for O & G Industries, Inc., for a two-year renewal of their Special Permit for earth excavation (rock quarry), including processing and blasting (quarry) for property located at the intersection of Spring Road and Salem Road. Unanimous.
b. Lornic, LLC, 24 Alison Court. Application for an 8-Lot Subdivision – 18 Spring Road, Southridge Estates – Phase II. The public hearing for this application was closed on December 15, 2004. The Commissioners reviewed a Draft Resolution of Approval as prepared by Bill Donovan. G. Graveline asked whether a decision had been made regarding sloping vs. a retaining wall at the start of the new road extension. Bill Donovan referred the Commissioners to Item #6 which states, “the commission prefers the roadway be constructed without retaining walls and directs the applicant to seek grading rights from the two property owners at the end of the existing cul-de-sac on Southridge Road to avoid having to construct a roadway retaining wall.” There was no further discussion. Motion by T. Galvin, seconded by D. Pomeroy to approve the Resolution of Approval as presented for Lornic, LLC, for an 8-lot subdivision, Southridge Estates – Phase II, for property owned by Kelly Cronin and located at 18 Spring Road. Unanimous.
c. Amendment to Prospect Zoning Regulations – Storage Pods & Technical Changes. Chairman Hiscox stated he would prefer to hold one public hearing for the purpose of amending the Zoning Regulations to address storage pods and making minor technical changes. The Commissioners will work towards compiling a list of changes for a future public hearing. Land Use Inspector’s Report: Bill Donovan distributed a Zoning Violation Log as updated to January 5, 2005. Chairman Hiscox stated that due to this evening’s inclement weather the Commissioners would put discussion of the log on hold until the next meeting. Zoning Enforcement will be noted as a separate item under old business on all future agenda’s. Bill stated he has received packets of information regarding storage pods, primarily regarding the State of Florida. Motion by A. Havican, seconded by T. Galvin to accept the Land Use Inspector’s Report. Unanimous.
Public Hearings:
7:15 p.m. – Michael & Christine McAllen, 32 Sherwood Drive. Application for a Special Permit for Elderly Housing – 170 Scott Road. Chairman Hiscox read the Notice of Public Hearing as it appeared in the Republican American on December 22nd & 29th, 2004. Appropriate fees were paid and proof of notification of property owners within 200 feet of the property was submitted. Michael & Christine McAllen presented a plan to renovate the existing building at 170 Scott Road, formerly a nursing home, for an 8-unit elderly housing facility. The McAllen’s were granted a building length variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals. Per the Regulations, two units would be designated as affordable housing units. Chairman Hiscox directed the applicants to review Section 12.3.1 of the Regulations regarding the requirements for a site plan for a special permit and asked that the applicants provide the Commission with the proper site plan at the next meeting. A letter from Chesprocott is also necessary indicating that the current septic system will adequately serve the proposed housing. The hearing was opened to public comment. Pat Townsend, 174 Scott Road, asked if the McAllens would be involved with Section 8 (Governmental Housing) rentals for this property. The applicant stated they would not be renting under Section 8. Anthony Dorso, 34 Scott Road, asked how the Commission could dictate that two units must be affordable housing and how the applicants would be able to discriminate against someone who meets the requirements of renting. Bill Donovan stated that the planners hired by the Town to review the Regulations and the Town Attorney would have advised the Commission if the Regulations were not in accordance with Connecticut State Statutes. D. Pomeroy stated the Commission is not dictating that two units must be affordable units, but that at least 30% of the number of units shall be designated as affordable housing. Bill Donovan suggested that the McAllens’ new site plan set aside an area for recreational use for the tenants. There were no further comments from the public. The public hearing was continued to January 19, 2005 at 7:10 p.m. Bill Donovan will prepare a Draft Resolution of Approval for this application for the next meeting.
7:35 p.m. – Gazmen Murtishi, 62 Bayview Circle, Wolcott, CT. Application for a Special Permit for a Used Car Dealer & Repair Facility – 123 Union City Road. Chairman Hiscox read the Notice of Public Hearing as it appeared in the Republican American on December 22nd & 29th, 2004. Proof of notification of property owners within 200 feet was received. Bill Donovan indicated that the applicants are currently before the Zoning Board of Appeals for approval of the site location and use in accordance with Connecticut State Statutes. Gaxmen Murtishi and Raymond Brennan, owner of 123 Union City Road, reviewed the site plan for a used car and repair facility to be housed in the lower level of the existing building on this site. Mr. Murtishi stated that no more than 5 vehicles would be displayed in the paved parking area. Cars would not be displayed on the grass near Union City Road and there would be no flags or banners on the vehicles. Chairman Hiscox stated that parking of vehicles for sale would be allowed only in the designated parking spaces on the site plan. Mr. Brennan described the existing building and other businesses that rent space in the building. The building has a sprinkler system throughout both levels and Mr. Brennan is working with the building inspector to ensure building codes are adhered to. The Commissioners reviewed drainage on the property with Mr. Brennan. Waste oil will be stored in double-walled safety containers that will be picked up and disposed of off-site. There will be no outside storage. Signage will be approved by Bill Donovan before it is installed. The hearing was opened to comments from the public. Jack Crumb, owner of Grandma’s Place, 129 Union City Road, stated concerns with drainage from Mr. Brennan’s property into the detention basin on his property and asked whether any steam cleaning of vehicles would be conducted on the premises. Mr. Brennan stated that there would be no steam cleaning of vehicles and that drainage from this area of the building is directed more towards Union City Road not towards the detention basin. Mr. Brennan indicated that storm water from Gramar Avenue runs through the back portion of 123 Union City Road to the detention basin at Mr. Crumb’s property. Mr. Brennan also stated that he is planning to repave the entire parking lot in the Spring. The Commissioners asked Mr. Brennan to review drainage with Town officials at that time. Bill Donovan asked what the proposed hours of operation would be. Mr. Murtishi stated that the proposed hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. There were no further comments from the public. Motion by A. Havican, seconded by T. Galvin to close the public hearing for a special permit for a used car dealer and repair facility at 123 Union City Road. Unanimous. Bill Donovan will prepare a Draft Resolution of Approval for this application for the next meeting.
New Business: None
Public Participation: None
Motion by A. Havican, seconded by T. Galvin to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 p.m. Unanimous.
Robert Hiscox
Robert Hiscox, Chairman