P&Z Minutes - March 7, 2007

Planning & Zoning

April 18, 2007

Chairman Robert Hiscox called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Members Present: Robert Hiscox, Gil Graveline, Tom Galvin, Don Pomeroy
Alternates Present: Al Delelle and Jack Crumb
Others Present: Bill Donovan, Land Use Inspector
Members Absent: Al Havican

Al Delelle was seated for Al Havican.

Approval of Minutes:
Motion by D. Pomeroy, seconded by G. Graveline to approve the minutes of the April 4, 2007 meeting. Unanimous.

Correspondence:
1.) Council of Governments Re: GIS Training dated April 2, 2007.
2.) Attorney Crotta Re: Document Request re: Boucher or Knapp dated April 3, 2007.
3.) Carmody & Torrance Re: Mallinson Appeal expired dated April 17, 2007.

Motionby T. Galvin, seconded by D. Pomeroy to accept the correspondence. Unanimous.

Public Participation:none

J. Crumb arrived at 7:06 p.m.

New Business:

American General Investors, 21 Gramar Avenue- Application for 4,500 sq. ft. building addition.

Dave Carson from OCC Design and Mark Guastaferri from Paulmar Associates were in attendance. The proposal is to add three more bays to the existing industrial building. Mr. Carson stated that the building complies with the all regulations in regards to set back coverage, building height and required parking. Mr. Carson submitted a letter from Chesprocott stating that based on existing and projected water usage, the septic system should be adequate for the existing use and the expansion. Mr. Carson stated that the roof drainage will be put into an underground galley system with an overflow pipe into the existing storm drainage system. Mr. Carson also stated that there is adequate parking. There is also room for fire access around the building. The access drive is a joint access drive with a common parking area in between. G. Graveline asked what this building is going to be used for. Mr. Carson stated that it is going to be used for existing rental storage space and there will be overhead doors where trucks can be brought in. D. Pomeroy asked for clarification on the septic system. Dave Carson briefly explained. The Commission discussed the need for the grate to be replaced on the abutting property for safety reasons. Motion made by T. Galvin, seconded by G. Graveline to accept and approve the application submitted by American General Investors, 21 Grammar Avenue for a 4,500 sq. ft. industrial building addition. Unanimous.

Chairman Hiscox asked for a brief update on Mr. Guastaferri’s commercial building at 45-50 Waterbury Road. Mr. Guastaferri stated that they will be pouring the floors soon and he is hoping that the building will be finished and open by October 1st, 2007.

PUBLIC HEARINGS:
7:10 p.m. Barbara Vaccarelli, 36 Salem Road – Home Occupation Special Permit for a Studio for Costume Designing. Chairman Hiscox read notice of public hearing as it appeared in the Republican American on April 6th and 13th, 2007. Mrs. Vaccarelli was not in attendance. The public hearing was continued to May 2nd, 2007 at 7:10 p.m.
7:15 p.m. Proposed amendment to the Planning & Zoning fee schedule that would require engineering and other outside consultant costs for applications be paid in full by the applicant.(Continued from 4/4/07) The public hearing was continued to May 2nd, 2007 at 7:15 p.m.

LAND USE INSPECTOR’S REPORT:
Zoning Violations
Quality Hardwood, 80-84 Scott Road – Review of Special Permit. Jay Praskievicz the owner was in attendance and Atty. Hess represented him. Atty. Hess stated that they have processed and removed about 2,000 yards of material and have gotten rid of more vehicles. They are continuing to make progress. J. Crumb has been stopping by to observe the progress. Mr. Praskievicz stated that B. Donovan walked the site last week. D. Pomeroy thanked Mr. Praskievicz and his business partner John Ciola for being so cooperative. Chairman Hiscox stated that the goal is to clean the property up.

1 Old Schoolhouse Road (Cease & Desist) Chairman Hiscox stated the B. Donovan sent a Cease & Desist to Mr. Diloreto at Prospect Towing. B. Donovan also met with Eddie Diloreto Jr. and he stated that the truck that he brings home on Cook Road is under 11,000 lbs. T. Galvin stated that he drove by the property at 1 Old Schoolhouse Road and there seems to be some cleaning up but there are still cars in the back of the building which is not shown on the site plan. There are also vehicles being stored in the front of the property where there is designated employee and customer parking shown on the site plan. T. Galvin also mentioned that at first the Commission approved a fence with no gate going along the property line, now there are two gates and the fence line seems to have been moved up onto his property closer to the customer parking. T. Galvin stated that on a positive note when the fence was moved this allowed for more access and turn around forcustomers going in to the convenient store. R. Hiscox stated that allowing the gates after the fact in retrospect was probably not a good idea. The Commission also discussed that the applicants stated that the gate was originally for emergency access. There was general discussion. R. Hiscox is very concerned about this lot. He is not happy of the outcome of this property. The Commission originally feared that this property was going to become a junk yard.

Public Participation:

Greg Ploski, 114 Clark Hill Road mentioned the issue of a fire lane being required around commercial and industrial buildings. The requirement was eliminated out of the regulations and he feels that it should be put back in. There was general discussion.

J. Crumb asked about site line and the speed limit of the roads. He asked if there is any way the Commission can put a site line requirement in the regulations. R. Hiscox read the regulation from the subdivision regulations regarding site line. There was general discussion. R. Hiscox mentioned possibly requiring a percentage such as 110% of the state requirement.

G. Graveline mentioned prohibiting a small strip or extension of a lot where the only purpose of the strip is to meet the minimum lot area requirements.

Adjournment:

Motion by D. Pomeroy, seconded by G. Graveline to adjourn the meeting at 7:42 p.m. Unanimous.

Robert Hiscox
Robert Hiscox, Chairman