Chairman Martin Atkins called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.

Other Members Present: Marianne Byrne, Dave Michaud, George Havican (alt), Chuck Witkowski (alt)
Members Absent: Jeffrey Slapikas, Lori DaSilva (alt)

Chairman Atkins seated C. Witkowski for the vacated seat and G. Havican for J. Slapikas.

Correspondence:
Connecticut Federation of Planning & Zoning Agencies: Spring 2009 Quarterly Newsletter

Clerical Bill:
Motion by M. Byrne, seconded by D. Michaud to pay the clerical bill. Unanimous.

Approval of Minutes:
Motion by D. Michaud, seconded by C. Witkowski to approve the minutes of the April 28, 2009 meeting. Unanimous.

New Business:
a. James Copes, 25 Salem Road. Application for a 13-foot rear setback variance for an above-ground pool. Mr. Copes stated he is seeking to install an above-ground pool 7-feet from his rear property line. His property is less than ½ acre in size and is 100-feet wide. His septic system takes up a significant portion of his back yard. There is an existing non-conforming shed on his property that is 7-feet from the rear property line. Motion by D. Michaud, second by M. Byrne to accept Application 02-2009 as presented. Unanimous. A public hearing was scheduled for Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 7:10 p.m.

Old Business: None

Public Hearings:
a. 7:12 p.m. Application 05-2009 of Lucy Liebert &Rosemary Donnelly, 2 Saunders Lane for a 12-foot right side setback variance to place a detached garage 13-feet from the right side property line. Chairman Atkins read into the record the “Notice of Public Hearings” for this and all other applications as printed in the Republican American on May 15 & 22, 2009. Ms. Liebert & Donnelly stated that at the recommendation of the board they withdrew their previous application (14-2008) to try and place their garage on their property without the need for a variance. They discovered a possible alternate location is solid ledge and the garage cannot be placed here. The applicants submitted the required Certificate of Mailing receipts. Chairman Atkins noted the Board has waived the fee for this application. The property is sloped downhill from the house limiting where the garage can be placed. There were no further comments from the board and no comments from the public. The public hearing closed at 7:19 p.m.

b. 7:20 p.m. Application 03-2009 of Simone Delbuono, 36 Summit Road for an 11-foot left side setback variance and an 8-foot front yard setback variance to place an attached garage 14-feet off the side line and 42-feet off the front property line. Mr. Delbouno submitted the required Certificate of Mailing receipts. M. Byrne confirmed the variance includes the roof overhang. Mr. Delbouno stated the original garage was converted to a house addition. Chairman Atkins confirmed the proposed garage would be no closer to the left side line than the existing house. Mr. DelBuono stated this will be only a garage with no living space. The approximate height will be 22-feet. He will utilize the existing driveway. The property is a ¾ acre triangular-shaped parcel. Chairman Atkins asked for comments from the public. Ann Sullivan, 38 Summit Road asked for assurances the garage will not impact the road site line for vehicles coming around this corner or exiting from her driveway. Joseph Mach, 32 Summit Road had general questions on the extent new of construction. With no further comments the public hearing closed at 7:34 p.m.

c. 7:35 p.m. Application 04-2009 of Dan Cormier, 16 Rosewood Drive for a 12-foot left side yard variance to place an attached garage with a family room 13-feet from the left side property line. Mr. Cormier is seeking to construct a 2-car garage with an upstairs family room. His lot is nonconforming with 130-foot frontage. He plans to remove an existing family room and replace it with a garage and family room. The new structure will extend an additional 12-feet to the side line. Placing this same structure on the opposite side of the house would put the garage/family room one-foot from that side line. There were no further comments from the board or the public and the public hearing was closed at 7:42 p.m.

Action on applications following close of the public hearing:
a. Application 05-2009: Motion by C. Witkowski, second by D. Michaud to approve Application 05-2009. Discussion: M. Byrne is in favor of granting this variance. She feels the applicants made every attempt to find a suitable location without the need for a variance. D. Michaud agrees there are limited locations for this garage. C. Witkowski also concurs that ledge on the property is limiting. M. Atkins agrees with the board’s consensus. In favor: Unanimous. Reasons: Extensive ledge on the property, steep slopes.

b. Application 03-2009: Motion by M. Byrne, second by D. Michaud to approve Application 03-2009. Discussion: M. Byrne expressed concern with the site line at the driveway. She stated the neighboring pine trees are approximately as close to the road as the proposed garage. M. Atkins stated the proposed garage is further from the side line than the existing house. He stated the land is pie-shaped. There is no existing garage. In favor: Unanimous. Reasons: Parcel is pie-shaped; side yard variance no closer to side line than existing house.

c. Application 04-2009: Motion by D. Michaud, second by M. Byrne to approve Application 04-2009. Discussion: M. Byrne is in favor of the variance. The lot is non-conforming in width. An existing structure is being replaced. D. Michaud is in favor. M. Atkins acknowledges the limiting width of the property and that the applicant can not place this structure on the opposite side of the house. There is no garage at this time. In favor: Unanimous. Reasons: Non-conformity of the lot; location of well and septic.

Public Participation: None

Adjournment:
Motion by M Byrne, seconded by C. Witkowski to adjourn at 8:03 p.m. Unanimous.

Martin Atkins, Chairman