February 4, 2009
Chairman Hiscox called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. The meeting was taped.
Members Present: Robert Hiscox, Donald Pomeroy
Alternates Present: Jack Crumb, G. Graveline
Absent: Greg Ploski, A. Delelle, A. Havican, Ed Miller
G. Graveline was seated for G. Ploski. J. Crumb was seated for A. Havican.
Approval of Minutes:
Motion by J. Crumb, seconded by G. Graveline to approve the January 21, 2009 minutes. Unanimous.
Correspondence:
1. Connecticut Federation of Planning & Zoning Agencies - Length of Service Awards/Lifetime
Achievement Awards.
2. Connecticut Federation of Planning & Zoning Agencies - Registration form for 61st Annual Conference.
3. Connecticut Federation of Planning and Zoning Agencies Quarterly Newsletter - Winter 2009
4. John Kaufman, Chairman of The Prospect Open Space Purchase Advisory Committee - letter dated 2/4/09 re: Paula Hakim, 47 Cheshire Road - Application for a 2-lot re-subdivision.
Chairman Hiscox noted for the record that the correspondence received from John Kaufman, Chairman of the POSPAC will be added to the Paula Estates file for the proposed 2-lot re-subdivision of 47 Cheshire Road.
Motion by D. Pomeroy, seconded by J. Crumb to accept the correspondence. Unanimous.
Public Participation: None
New Business:
a. Daniel & Kimberly Tuccillo, Jr., 26 Trotters Way - Permit for Keeping, Breeding & Raising Livestock (Horses). Mr. Tuccillo appeared and presented the commission with his permit application to keep horses on his residential property which includes a plot plan which shows the location and size of the shelter, the location of the manure pit and the fenced area. Mr. Tuccillo stated that he thought he had done this when he originally built his barn in 2001. Chairman Hiscox stated that this matter was brought to the attention of the Land Use Office who in turn asked the applicant to file a formal livestock application. The Chairman stated that the “horse issue” has recently arisen in town and this livestock application may be the first of several that may be forthcoming. The Chairman stated that the commission can require a public hearing on this application but recommends that the commission not hold a public hearing on this particular application as it meets all of the criteria under Section 4.7 of the Regulations. G. Graveline asked if there are horses on the property now and if this was the original portion of Trotter’s Way where the horses have always been. Mr. Tuccillo answered yes. J. Crumb stated that he has driven by the property and thinks it is a very nice looking property. The Chairman asked for further discussion. With none, Motion by G. Graveline, seconded by J. Crumb to accept and approve the permit application submitted by Daniel & Kimberly Tuccillo, Jr. to keep horses on residential property located at 26 Trotters Way. Unanimous.
Public Hearings:
7:10 p.m. Paula Hakim, 47 Cheshire Road - Application for a 2-lot re-subdivision (continued from 1/21/09). Chairman Hiscox stated that the correspondence received from John Kaufman, Chairman of the Prospect Open Space Purchase Advisory Committee will be added to this file. George Frigo and Paul Bunevich of Land-Data Engineers, 567 Watertown Avenue, Waterbury, CT appeared on behalf of the applicant and submitted the appropriate application fees. Chairman Hiscox stated that the only item outstanding on this matter was confirmation from the POSPAC that they did in fact want both Parcels, A & B. He further stated that this is a win/win situation for the Town and that Mayor Chatfield is very excited about acquiring the parcels as open space. Dr. Hakim asked the commission if there were any tax incentives for him in donating the land to the Town. The Chairman stated that this was the first time the commission had been asked this question and advised Dr. Hakim to check with a tax expert and also mentioned that maybe the Assessors Office may have some information on any tax benefit available. The Chairman asked for any further comments from the public. With no further comments, Motion by G. Graveline, seconded by D. Pomeroy to close the public hearing on the application submitted by Paula Hakim for a 2-lot re-subdivision of property located at 47 Cheshire Road. Unanimous. Motion by D. Pomeroy, seconded by J. Crumb to approve the application submitted by Paula Hakim for a 2-lot re-subdivision of property located at 47 Cheshire Road. Unanimous. D. Pomeroy thanked the applicant for his generosity and for coming before the commission so well prepared.
Old Business:
a. Arlene Gedraitis, 90 Cook Road - Application for a 1-lot re-subdivision (public hearing closed on 12/3/08) Land Surveyor Paul Buckley-Reynolds submitted a final map dated January 26, 2009 which took out the open space that had been originally proposed. Real Estate Agent Gail Sekeret submitted an appraisal on the property in accordance with the commission’s request. The Chairman stated that the appraisal on the land is $110,000.00 and therefore the 10% fee in lieu of open space will be $11,000.00. After commission discussion, Motion by G. Graveline, seconded by D. Pomeroy to approve the application submitted by Arlene Gedraitis for a 1-lot re-subdivision of property located at 90 Cook Road. Unanimous.
b. G & G Trust, Et Al - Proposed 5-Lot Industrial Subdivision for 99 Union City Road. (public hearing closed on 12/3/08). Roland Desrosiers appeared on behalf of the applicants. Chairman Hiscox stated that this public hearing was closed on 12/3/08 and that the commissioners have received a draft Resolution with some additions made to it. Chairman Hiscox stated the additions address his concerns about the bond, that the applicants must meet all of the D.O.T requirements and delayed grading on any of the 5 approved lots other than what may be required to satisfy the road construction. He further stated that as to #6 on the Resolution, in accordance with discussion at the last Planning & Zoning meeting, he would like to add a specific date in which the subdivider shall establish a 15-foot width of plantings in the buffer. After commission discussion with Mr. Desrosiers, a date of June 1, 2009 was added to #6 as the date by which all plantings associated with the buffer shall be complete. Mr. Desrosiers stated that there was a change in the Resolution from the last meeting with regard to #4 and after discussion, the commission agreed to change the last sentence of #4 to “As individual lots are developed within the subdivision, separate bonds for these lots may also be required”. Chairman Hiscox asked for any further comments. Motion by D. Pomeroy, seconded by G. Graveline to approve and vote on the Resolution of Approval, as amended, for the application submitted by G & G Trust, Et Al for a 5-lot industrial subdivision for 99 Union City Road. Unanimous. Chairman Hiscox stated that while this was a long process, he believes that this subdivision will benefit the Town and thanked the applicants for their cooperation.
New Business (continued):
b. Tom Giammattei, 200 Scott Road - Application for Special Permit for Commercial Greenhouses on Residential Property. Tom Giammattei appeared and presented the commission with his formal application for a special permit for commercial greenhouses on his residential property. Mr. Giammattei also presented a site plan showing his existing house, driveway, boundaries lines and where the proposed greenhouses will be located and information with regard to trough irrigation. Mr. Giammattei stated that he plans to construct between 12,000 and 16,000 square feet of greenhouses which will have hydroponically fed organic trough benches. Mr. Giammattei stated that he hoped to have the greenhouses constructed and the system installed by this coming Summer. J. Crumb asked the applicant if he will be recycling any water. Mr. Giammattei stated that this system is all about recycling water and that is why he will be receiving funding from the Federal Government. Mr. Giammattei further stated that his proposed system will use less fertilizer and save 60% of the water used in normal greenhouses as the water is continually re-circulated. Motion by D. Pomeroy, seconded by G. Graveline to accept the Special Permit Application from Tom Giammattei, 200 Scott Road for commercial greenhouses on a residential property and set a public hearing on the application for February 18, 2009 at 7:10 p.m. Unanimous. D. Pomeroy asked the applicant how close his greenhouses will be to DiNatali Drive, Waterbury. Mr. Giammattei reviewed the site plan with the commissioners and determined that the structures will be at least 200 - 250 feet to the closest house. Chairman Hiscox stated that in addition to Prospect residents, the commission will allow the abutting Waterbury residents to address any concerns that they may have at the public hearing. The commissioners also asked the applicant to be prepared to answer questions on increased truck traffic, noise, constant running fans, lights at night and the like. G. Graveline stated concern about the weight of snow and asked the applicant if the proposed greenhouses will be abutting each other. The applicant stated that his plan is to put up three structures and once he is to the point where he works out “all of the bugs” and everything is working at 100%, the plan is to take these structures down and to put up one single structure within the same footprint like the one at Kurt’s farm in Cheshire. The applicant asked the commission about a possible reduction in the application fee. After commission discussion, Land Use Inspector Bill Donovan is to calculate the fee in the same manner as he did on the greenhouse application on Straitsville Road.
Public Participation: None
Land Use Clerk Tammy DeLoia stated that in response to commissioner concern at the last meeting, the Land Use Office had written a letter to the property owner at 22 Union City Road who has since come in to the Land Use Office and picked up an application for the addition on his commercial building. She also stated that a letter was written to the property owner at 1 Old School House Road regarding the large tractor trailer truck that appears to have been backed up onto the property. Chairman Hiscox asked if Bill was able to find the variance expiration date for Prospect Excavating. Tammy responded the expiration date is June 29, 2009.
Adjournment: Motion by G. Graveline, seconded by D. Pomeroy to adjourn at 7:48 p.m. Unanimous.
Robert Hiscox, Chairman