These minutes are for informational purposes only. For official minutes, please contact the Town Clerk's Office.
PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
FEBRUARY 27, 2001
I. CALL TO ORDER
Joan Howard, Chairman, called the Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission to order at 7:35 p.m. in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. The following members were present: Pamela Katz, Alexis Rankin Popik, Ernest Gardow and Alternates Cynthia Carey and Carol Cole. Also present were William Voelker, Director of Community Planning and Development and other interested parties.
II. APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES
Chairman Howard appointed Commissioner Cole to serve for Commissioner Horowitz and Commissioner Carey to serve for Commissioner Bednarcyk.
III. PUBLIC HEARING
a. Application of Joyce Snyder, Executrix - Estate of Olga Shaw, for a Special Exception for a rear lot on property at 15 North Canton Road.
Mark Kement, Sanderson & Washburn, represented Joyce Snyder, Executrix - Estate of Olga Shaw. Mr. Kement distributed revised plans to the commission members. He said this property is known as 15 North Canton Road and is located approximately 320 feet east of the Canton/Simsbury line. The total area of the tract is 5.123 acres. He said that the existing front lot is 2.63 acres and the proposed rear lot is 2.76 acres. Mr. Kement said that the proposed driveway to the rear lot would be approximately 550 feet long and 12 feet wide. He showed on the plan a turn around area that would be adequate for fire and police apparatus. Commissioner Gardow asked if this would be all paved. Mr. Kement responded that it would be. He said that the Fire Marshall suggested automatic fire sprinklers and if these were added to the proposed
house the turn around size could be reduced. Mr. Kement said that they also have to remove all brush from over the proposed driveway and keep it maintained. He said that the proposed driveway entrance is positioned on the outside of a curve giving a site line distance of approximately 550 feet to the west and 425 feet to the east.
Mr. Kement said that all utilities will be placed underground and existing stonewalls will remain intact except for the area proposed for the driveway construction. He said that there will be no further subdivision or resubdivision of this property and there will be conservation easements to protect the abutters and the character of the land. Mr. Kement said that they will provide a 20-foot conservation easement along the front portion of the property and the front portion of the new lot will have a 50-foot conservation easement. He said that along the property to the west would be a 40-foot conservation easement and to the east of the property is town owned open space. The total of the proposed conservation easements is 1.04 acres. Commissioner Katz asked if the conservation easements are wooded now. Mr. Kement responded
yes and showed this on the plan.
Mr. Kement said that he feels that this proposal meets all the requirements for a Special Exception of a rear lot and that this is an ideal location for a rear lot.
Commissioner Katz asked about the Fire Marshall’s recommendation for an automatic residential fire sprinkler system. Mr. Kement said that if some type of sprinkler system is installed in the house then the turn around could be reduced. He said that this was only a recommendation. Mr. Voelker said that the concern was the size of the turn around area and that storm water management may be required there. Commissioner Katz asked if there is any grade getting to this lot from the road. Mr. Kement said there is a range between 5 to 7 percent getting from the road to this area.
Commissioner Gardow asked if the proposed house would be visible from Westledge Road or Woodchuck. Mr. Kement said he did not think so, but was not positive. Chairman Howard asked if this application is under view sector regulations. Mr. Voelker responded that it is not applicable because this is not a subdivision.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINTES
FEBRUARY 27, 2001
PAGE 2
Chairman Howard asked if consideration had been given to a joint driveway eliminating the curb cut. Mr. Kement said that this proposed location is an ideal spot for a driveway and he feels it is even better than the existing driveway.
Chairman Howard scheduled a site walk for 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 3, 2001. The Commissioners will meet in the driveway at 15 North Canton Road. She asked that the proposed driveway and the conservation easements be staked out.
Chairman Howard opened the public hearing to public comment.
Peter Brinkeroff, 20 North Canton Road, said that he thought that the state required a 500-foot site line on this road as it is a busy road. Mr. Kement said that this was submitted to the DOT and it was accepted. Mr. Brinkeroff expressed concern that the new home would have water problems with its well as it will sit in the same general area as the homes on Ruthies Lane which all have water problems. Mr. Kement said that the Farmington Valley Health District reviewed the application and there was no mention of this type of problem in the area.
Beth Westcott, 14 Cedar Ridge, East Granby, formerly lived in the existing house at 15 North Canton Road, said that they did a water test on the house and it had come out fine.
Sylvia Foster, 19 North Canton Road, said that she liked the idea of a 40-foot easement between her property and the new house. Commissioner Katz asked if she had any comment on the driveway location. Ms. Foster said that she has no problem with the driveway location.
Faith LaBossiere, Charleston, Rhode Island, agent for Mrs. Snyder, said that the concept is to create a rear lot and not change anything there. She said that the land is beautiful with a mature forest. She also said that the opportunity to divide the property is very natural. The property lines could be done along the stone walls and maintain the integrity of the existing property without changing it much. She said that the plantings that the Shaw’s had done when they lived there could be protected. Ms. LaBossiere said that there is a Christmas Tree area, an orchard and a blueberry garden. She said that there is also an evergreen buffer. The stone walls are to be preserved, and this will be a requirement in the agreement. She said that the driveway purposely is curved so speed on the driveway will always be kept
slow. Ms. LaBoissiere said that the home site is on an elevated portion of the lot overlooking a forest area.
Commissioner Carey asked if there is a conservation easement not located in the Town of Simsbury what happens. Mr. Voelker said that it has to be recorded in both the Town of Canton and the Town of Simsbury. Commissioner Katz asked Mr. Kement to make this one of his notes.
Chairman Howard said the public hearing is continued until the next meeting, which is March 13, 2001.
IV. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Commissioner Gardow said that he is not able to make the March 15th CRCOG meeting. Commissioner Popik will go in his place. Commissioner Gardow will attend the July 19, 2001 meeting.
Commissioner Cole spoke of an old Atlantic Monthly article on new urbanization.
Chairman Howard asked all the members for their email address.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINTES
FEBRUARY 27, 2001
PAGE 3
V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FEBRUARY 13, 2001
Commissioner Katz moved to approved the minutes of February 13, 2001 as amended. This was seconded by Commissioner Carey. Commissioner Gardow abstained. The motion passed unanimously.
Change made on page 2, paragraph 5, 3rd sentence, change porous to pervious.
Change made on page 2, paragraph 6, 2nd sentence, change impervious to pervious.
A brief discussion followed on getting prepared for the Plan of Development update.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Carey moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 p.m. This was seconded by Commissioner Gardow. The motion passed unanimously.
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Pamela Katz, Secretary
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