November 17, 2010
Chairman Pomeroy called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was taped.
Members Present: D. Pomeroy, A. Delelle, G. Ploski, J. Crumb
Alternates Present: G. Graveline, D. Santoro
Absent: A. Havican, K. Clifford
Others Present: William Donovan, Land Use Inspector
Chairman Pomeroy seated D. Santoro for A. Havican.
Motion by A. Delelle, seconded by G. Ploski to approve the November 3, 2010 minutes. Unanimous.
Correspondence:
1. Letter dated 11/5/10 from Andrew Adames, Senor Panchos Mexican Restaurant, 280 Cheshire Road.
2. The Connecticut Department of Health brochure: Child Daycare Screening Assessment For Environmental Risk.
Motion by D. Santoro, seconded by A. Delelle to accept the correspondence. 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 subject. T. Satkunas, 232 New Haven Road asked the commission if they had heard anything new on the proposed wind turbine project at 178 New Haven Road and stated concern that Prospect’s Planning & Zoning Commission is not the deciding authority on such a project. Mr. Satkunas also asked if Prospect had any noise limitations to which G. Ploski briefly responded. Lori Kodian, 24 Chandler Drive stated concern over a home occupation permit the commission recently granted her neighbor at 22 Chandler Drive for a landscaping business. Ms. Kodian stated that the homes on Chandler Drive are very close together and that she did not receive notice of the permit application. Ms. Kodian complained about the noise & fumes generated from the business equipment and stated that the homeowners are parking their cars on the street because they do not have adequate parking to have a home occupation. Chairman Pomeroy asked Land Use Inspector Bill Donovan to inspect the driveway at 22 Chandler Drive to see if it has adequate parking for a home occupation business and to also review the hours of operation which the home occupation permit holder is working and to report his findings at the meeting.
Public Hearing:
7:10 p.m. Ken Faroni - O & G, 147 Salem Road - Renewal of two year special permit. Chairman Pomeroy read into record the “Notice of Public Hearing” for the public hearing as it appeared in the Republican-American on November 5 & 12, 2010. Ken Faroni appeared on behalf of O & G and presented the commission with copies of letters notifying the abutting property owners of this public hearing and also provided proof of mailings. Mr. Faroni reviewed the background of O & G in Prospect and stated that at the last meeting he had provided the commission with the application fees, topographical maps, phased mining plans, a Reclamation Plan, Certificate of Insurance, performance bond in the amount of $377,000.00, 2009-2010 Complaint Log, 2010 Blasting Log, 2-year notification log, and a photo log dated 5/17/10. Mr. Faroni reviewed the updated topographical map with the commission and outlined what O & G will be working on over the next two years - the lower bench to the East and North and continued clearing of land in a northeasterly direction for future action on the upper bench. Mr. Faroni stated that he expects between 12 and 17 production shots (blasts) to take place in 2011 during the months of April through September. Mr. Faroni outlined recent blast complaints received by two neighbors and discussed the placement and results of seismographs which are monitored by consultants. The Chairman asked the public for comments. Fred Strumpf, 123 Salem Road and Mr. Silva, 133 Salem Road appeared and expressed concerns over some stronger blasts and ATV & motorcycle riding taking place in the quarry. Mr. Faroni stated that the security system is still in place in the quarry and is continuously monitored by Sonitrol. After commission discussion, Motion by A. Delelle, seconded by G. Ploski to close the public hearing on the application submitted by O & G Industries, Inc., 147 Salem Road for a 2 year renewal of their Special Permit. Unanimous.
7:20 p.m. Proposed amendments and additions to Zoning Regulations Section 4.13 Floodplains and Flood Hazard Areas; Article 2.2 Definitions; Article 15 Zoning Board of Appeals; and, Subdivision Regulations Section IV General Regulations. Land Use Inspector Bill Donovan briefly outlined the proposed changes that had been reviewed at the last meeting. Bill stated that he believes there are approximately 30 to 35 Prospect homes that fall within designated floodplains and stated that if Prospect does not update their regulations to include the minimal language that satisfies The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) those Prospect homeowners will not be eligible for the National Flood Insurance Program. Chairman Pomeroy asked for comments from the public. With no public comments, and after commission discussion, Motion by G. Ploski, seconded by J. Crumb to close the public hearing on proposed amendments and additions to Zoning Regulations Section 4.13 Floodplains and Flood Hazard Areas; Article 2.2 Definitions; Article 15 Zoning Board of Appeals; and, Subdivision Regulations Section IV General Regulations. Unanimous. Motion by D. Santoro, seconded by A. Delelle to approve the proposed amendments and additions to Zoning Regulations Section 4.13 Floodplains and Flood Hazard Areas; Article 2.2 Definitions; Article 15 Zoning Board of Appeals; and, Subdivision Regulations Section IV General Regulations. and set an effective date of December 6, 2010. Unanimous.
New Business:
a. Mark Dorais, 6 Timberhill Lane – Application for a Home Occupation: Repair & Maintenance Services. Mr. Dorais appeared and presented the commission with an application for a home occupation to have a repair and maintenance service business. Mr. Dorais stated he would like to have a “handyman” type business and do odd jobs such as painting, power washing, leaf cleanups, and the like. The commission reviewed the application and held discussion with Mr. Dorais who agreed to submit his application at the next meeting with revisions suggested by the commission. The commission also advised Mr. Dorais that he would need to provide a letter from the property owners authorizing Mr. Dorais to operate a home occupation out of their residence as well as the appropriate filing fees.
b. Bob Scrip, 25 Grammar Ave. – Application for a detached steel structure in an Industrial Zone. No action taken.
c. Set meeting dates for 2011. After commission discussion, Motion by A. Delelle, seconded by G. Ploski to accept and approve the meeting dates as presented for the 2011 calendar year. Unanimous.
Motion by G. Ploski, seconded by A. Delelle to add to the Agenda, under New Business, the Town of Prospect’s request for the Planning & Zoning Commission’s approval under Connecticut General Statutes §8-24 for a free standing steel framed garage and related work at the Public Works Facility located at 221 Cheshire Road. Unanimous.
d. Town of Prospect’s request for the Planning & Zoning Commission’s approval under Connecticut General Statutes §8-24 for a free standing steel framed garage and related work at the Public Works Facility located at 221 Cheshire Road. Chairman Pomeroy read into record a letter dated 11/15/10 from Mayor Robert J. Chatfield regarding a STEAP grant which the Town of Prospect has been granted from the CT Small Town Economic Assistance Program which will be used for a new free standing steel framed garage and related work at the Public Works Facility located at 221 Cheshire Road. After commission discussion, Motion by D. Pomeroy, seconded by D. Santoro to support the request of the Town of Prospect to seek funding for a free standing steel framed garage and related work at the Public Works Facility located at 221 Cheshire Road under Connecticut General Statutes §8-24. Unanimous.
Old Business: None
In response to the commission discussion at the last meeting to make a text amendment to Section 3.1 Uses by District of the zoning regulations to add “redemption/recycling” as a permitted use by special permit within the Business, Industrial 1 and Industrial 2 Zones and to also amend Section 2.2 Definitions to include a definition of what “redemption/recycling” is, G. Ploski provided the commissioners with proposed definitions for their review prior to the public hearing which is scheduled for December 15, 2010.
Land Use Inspector’s Report:
Bill stated that he is expecting that BNE Energy Inc. will deliver a copy of the complete wind farm petition to the Town Hall by early next week. J. Crumb asked Bill to follow up on a canopy shed and commercial equipment being stored on Cheryl Lane. Motion by G. Ploski, seconded by D. Santoro to accept the Land Use Inspector’s Report. Unanimous.
Public Participation:
Roger Hamlin, 1 Merriman Lane appeared before the commission to see if they had any follow up questions for him regarding the bottle and can redemption center that he hopes to open in Town. Mr. Hamlin and the commission held general discussion.
Adjournment:
Motion by A. Delelle, seconded by D. Santoro to adjourn at 9:05 p.m. Unanimous.
Donald Pomeroy, Chairman