December 1, 2010
Chairman Pomeroy called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was taped.
Members Present: D. Pomeroy, A. Delelle, A. Havican, G. Ploski, J. Crumb,br />
Alternates Present: G. Graveline
Absent: D. Santoro, K. Clifford
Others Present: William Donovan, Land Use Inspector
Motion by A. Delelle, seconded by A. Havican to approve the November 17, 2010 minutes. Unanimous.
Correspondence:
1. Connecticut Federation of Planning and Zoning Agencies Quarterly Newsletter – Fall 2010.
2. Letter from Bill Donovan, Land Use Inspector dated 12/1/10 regarding Jeff Slapikas’ request for a final release of the performance bond for his Knollwood Place Subdivision.
Chairman Pomeroy read Bill Donovan’s letter into record. After discussion, Motion by A. Havican, seconded by G. Ploski to approve final release of the remaining $27,000.00 performance bond on the Knollwood Estates Subdivision. Unanimous.
Motion by G. Ploski, seconded by A. Havican to accept the correspondence. Unanimous.
Public Hearings: None
Old Business:
a. Ken Faroni - O & G, 147 Salem Road - Renewal of two year special permit. Mr. Faroni appeared before the commission. After commission discussion, Motion by A. Delelle, seconded by A. Havican to approve the Resolution of Approval, as presented, for O & G Industries, Inc., 147 Salem Road for a 2 year renewal of the Special Permit. Unanimous. Chairman Pomeroy stated that “In the Commission’s judgment, the application complies with criteria set forth under Section 12.10 – Special Findings of the Prospect Zoning Regulations.” Unanimous.
New Business:
a. Dependable Energy, Inc., 13 Gramar Avenue - Special Permit application for the placement of two 30,000 gallon LP gas storage tanks and wholesale of LP gas. Glenn Noble appeared and presented the commission with a special permit application for the placement of two 30,000-gallon liquid propane gas storage tanks and the wholesale of liquid propane gas on 13 Gramar Avenue. Mr. Noble also provided: 1) a detailed site plan; 2) a letter from the owner of the property, A & N Equities, LLC, granting Mr. Noble permission to proceed with the special permit application; 3) a letter dated 12/1/10 from Lorraine DeNicola, Director of Environmental Health at Chesprocott Health District, approving the installation of the proposed tanks; and 4) application fees. Mr. Noble stated that he would provide a letter from the Fire Marshal at the next meeting. Motion by G. Ploski, second by A. Delelle to accept the application from Dependable Energy, Inc., 13 Gramar Avenue for a special permit for the placement of two 30,000 gallon LP gas storage tanks and wholesale of LP gas. Unanimous. Mr. Noble briefly outlined his application stating that the proposed tanks would be tubular, horizontal tanks which will store liquid propane gas to be used for his own business, Dependable Energy, Inc., and to be sold wholesale to his competitors in the area. After discussion with the commission, Mr. Noble agreed to revise his application/site plan to include the following: 1) percentage amount of impervious lot coverage; 2) storm water management plan including topographic information; 3) directional (N) arrow on plan; and 4) security lighting & fencing. Motion by J. Crumb, second by G. Ploski to set a public hearing for December 15, 2010 at 7:20 p.m. on the special permit application from Dependable Energy, Inc., 13 Gramar Avenue for the placement of two 30,000 gallon LP gas storage tanks and wholesale of LP gas. Unanimous.
Motion by A. Havican, seconded by A. Delelle to add Tom Satukunas, 232 New Haven Road to the Agenda under New Business for an application to add a new section to the Prospect Zoning Regulations to regulate wind power. Unanimous.
b. Tom Satkunas, 232 New Haven Road – Application to add a new section to the Prospect Zoning Regulations to regulate wind power. Tom Satkunas appeared and presented the commission with a letter dated 12/1/10 from Attorney N. Warren Hess, III wherein he requested a text amendment to create a new section of the Prospect Zoning Regulations to regulate wind power in Prospect. Mr. Satkunas also presented the application fees and a copy of his proposed text amendment for the commission’s review. Chairman Pomeroy read Attorney Hess’ letter for record. Motion by A. Havican, seconded by A. Delelle to accept an application to add a new section to the Prospect Zoning Regulations to regulate wind power from Tom Satkunas, 232 New Haven Road. Unanimous. Mr. Satkunas provided the commission with a letter dated 12/1/10 stating that due to time constraints, he will be providing the commission with addendums and additional technical information prior to the public hearing which will be required in order to adopt his proposed regulations. Chairman Pomeroy read Mr. Satkunas’ letter for the record. After discussion, Motion by A. Delelle, seconded by G. Ploski to set a public hearing for January 19, 2011 at 7:10 p.m. on the application from Tom Satkunas, 232 New Haven Road to add a new section to the Prospect Zoning Regulations to regulate wind power. Unanimous.
Land Use Inspector’s Report:
Bill reported that he will be sending out a violation letter to the tree service on Cheryl Lane. In response to the complaint regarding the home occupation at 22 Chandler Drive, Bill stated that he has driven by the property almost daily and sees no issues at this time. Bill also stated that he believes there is adequate parking for a home occupation at the property. Lori Kodian, 24 Chandler Drive appeared and re-stated her concerns over the home occupation at 22 Chandler Drive including noise, fumes, real estate depreciation, and, inadequate parking in the driveway which causes the residents of 22 Chandler Drive to park their personal vehicles on the street. After discussion, the commission asked Bill to request that the home occupation permit holder appear before this commission with a detailed and to scale site plan for a review of his home occupation permit. J. Crumb reported that he, Mayor Chatfield, and the parties involved in the storm water runoff issue at 10 Barry Lane, have scheduled a meeting for this upcoming Friday. Motion by A. Delelle, seconded by G. Ploski to accept the Land Use Inspector’s Report. Unanimous.
Public Participation:
Chairman Pomeroy asked the public for comments and stated that while public comments are strongly encouraged, the commission will only dedicate 10 minutes to any one person on any one subject. Tim Reilly, 17 Woodcrest Drive appeared and detailed the newly formed “Save Prospect Corp.” which consists of concerned Prospect residents opposing the proposed wind turbines at 178 New Haven Road. Mr. Reilly introduced Marilyn Bonyai, 18 Woodcrest Drive, John LaMontagne, 225 New Haven Road, Bob Accetura, 38 Woodcrest Drive, John Hurley, 4 George Street, Calvin Goodwin, 19 Woodcrest Drive, Katie Lanquotte, 19 Lee Road, Dick Sargent, 1 Radio Tower Road, Felix Sambuco, 6 George Street, Rich Sargent, 3 Radio Tower Road and Helen Plante, 5 Rosewood Drive who each spoke individually about their concerns which included: constant noise; the enormous size of the turbines; light flickering; dangerous flying ice melt; close proximity to houses (some only 800’ away) and traffic on Route 69; changing the character and integrity of the Town; loss of the ability to enjoy the outdoors; ill effects on nearby residents’ health and well being; decreased property values and the speed in which the application is being pushed through the Siting Council. Mr. Reilly asked the commission for their help and stated that he has a petition opposing the turbines signed by 363 Prospect residents. Mr. Reilly discussed Prospect’s need for setback regulations. Mr. Reilly also spoke about a recent bus trip to view wind turbines in Falmouth, Massachusetts and provided photographs of those wind turbines. Mr. Reilly also provided the following documents for the commission’s review: 1) Vestas Wind Systems, Safety Regulations for Operators and Technicians – page 3 of 32; 2) BNE Energy Prospect, CT Wind Assessment – page 3; and 3) GE Energy, Ice Shedding and Ice Throw – Risk and Mitigation with a notation that BNE Energy’s application does not meet “fall zone” safety specifications. With no further comments from the public, Chairman Pomeroy thanked all those in attendance for conducting themselves well.
The commission held general discussion on the Siting Council and the need for the commission to adopt regulations to regulate wind power. D. Pomeroy asked Bill Donovan to provide the commission with the time frame requirements of the Siting Council once they receive a petition filing.
Adjournment:
Motion by A. Havican, seconded by G. Ploski to adjourn at 8:52 p.m. Unanimous.
Donald Pomeroy, Chairman