November 14, 2007
Special Meeting Workshop
Chairman Robert Hiscox called to meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
Chairman Hiscox stated the purpose of this meeting is that the Planning & Zoning Commission is in the process of looking at technical changes to the regulations as well as some more substantive changes to the regulations. As opposed to just putting a list together and calling for a public hearing the Commission wanted to gather input from the public prior to putting a list together of amendments together. All the amendments will go through the public hearing process. Tonight’s Special Meeting Workshop was specifically for the Chamber of Commerce and the business people in Town to express their concerns and ideas. The Commission doesn’t have any proposed changes that would substantially affect the businesses in Town but they are open to suggestion.
Chairman Hiscox read a letter from Mayor Chatfield regarding sandwich board signs and temporary signage. He feels this specific regulation should be changed.
Deb Ridolfi referred to the property on the corner of Hydelor Avenue and Route 68. She was under the impression that the Plan of Development refers to the center of Town on Route 68 and Route 69 would be designated business/commercial zone. Chairman Hiscox stated the zone change was denied because he didn’t think it was a good business lot in terms of where it was on the corner. In regards to the plan of development and the primary business corridors, the Commission previously looked at changing all the lots on Route 69 towards Waterbury to business so they didn’t have to go lot by lot. G. Ploski stated that he felt the Plan indicated that from Waterbury to the center of Town and then towards Naugatuck would be the business corridors. He does not agree with denying an application for a zone change on the highway because if it is not approved there where should it be located. Deb Ridolfi is suggesting the Commission clarifies further how the Town wants to develop the business corridors and what they see for Prospect in terms of the future. The Commission is mandated to update the Plan of Conservation and Development every ten years. D. Pomeroy asked Mrs. Ridolfi how she feels the property should be zoned on Route 68 towards Naugatuck. D. Pomeroy also mentioned that when he denied the zone change mentioned earlier he was most troubled with the site line.
G. Graveline mentioned sandwich board signs being obstructions and the safety issues. Chairman Hiscox stated if everyone puts a sandwich board sign at what point do you stop it.
Marie Kluge stated that it is hard enough to get the people to support businesses in Town. She ran a business in Town for 35 years. She feels the Zoning Regulations are getting in the way of people running businesses in Town. She does not feel the regulations are not business friendly. The Commission gets concerns from both sides. Ms. Kluge also mentioned she would like to see the regulation requiring 1,500 feet between auto repair garages be removed. She also mentioned her concerns regarding the parking requirements.
Chairman Hiscox asked how the Commission can become more business friendly. What is the Commission doing that is getting in the way of businesses?
G. Graveline mentioned an abutting town which has regulations on signage according to the size of each lot.
D. Pomeroy stated they have a fiduciary responsibility to interpret and administrate the regulations. If the public disagrees with that then that is what the appeal process is for.
R. Hiscox stated he was hoping the Chamber would attend the meeting with specific requests for regulation amendments. D. Pomeroy mentioned at least 3-4 times the Commission has had discussions regarding signage and very few people have attended the meetings. He wants businesses to succeed in Town. It’s extremely difficult to attract business when you don’t have water or sewer in Town. Chairman Hiscox mentioned revisiting goals in the back of the Plan.
D. Pomeroy would like the Commission to be able to talk about a particular section of the plan or regulation instead of Special Meeting after Special Meeting.
R. Hiscox stated the overall the state has guidelines and recommendations and the region has the same. They are planning guidelines and recommendations. The decision is up to the Town and the Commission can take what recommendations the Town feels is appropriate for Prospect. D. Pomeroy stated the Regional Council of Governments is not a State agency. The Commission discussed when the Town implements the Regional Plan into the Town’s Plan. Consistent new development and enforcement takes up a lot of the Commissions time.
Deb Ridolfi asked about Home Occupations, taxes etc. She also mentioned storage of large commercial vehicles. Chairman Hiscox stated the primary concern is the commercial vehicles in residential zones are safety and noise issues.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:32 p.m.