These minutes are for informational purposes only. For official minutes, please contact the Town Clerk's Office.
PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 25, 2001
CALL TO ORDER
Pamela Katz, Acting Chairman, called the Regular Meeting of the Simsbury Planning Commission to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. The following members were present: Ernest Gardow, Susan Bednarcyk, David Horowitz, Alexis Rankin Popik and Alternates Cynthia Carey and Carol Cole. Also present were William Voelker, Director of Community Planning and Development and other interested parties.
APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES
Acting Chairman Katz appointed Commissioner Carey to serve for Commissioner Howard.
PUBLIC HEARING
Application of Margaret Donohue, Owner, T. J. Donohue, Jr., Agent, for a 2-lot resubdivision of property at 17 Firetown Road. (October 25, 2001)
Commissioner Horowitz read the call for the public hearing.
T. J. Donohue spoke on behalf of his mother, Margaret Donohue, who was also at this meeting. He said that his mother has owned the property since 1960. She would like to resubdivide the property, which is at the corner of Old Mill Lane and Firetown Road, and consists of over an acre of land and is zoned R15. Mr. Donohue said that they would like to divide the lot into two lots. Public water, public sewer, gas, cable & electricity serve the property. He showed the approximate location of the new home. Mr. Donohue explained that they are building the house for his mother to live in. He said that this would be a two-floor cape style house, but would have the master bedroom suite on the first floor.
Mr. Donohue discussed the unusual request they have for a waiver of the open space requirement. He said that this is an infill property and that the current house and the proposed house fit directly within the scheme of an R15 zone. This is the last piece. Mr. Donohue said that the present home is an elegant house with significant landscaping. He said that the most unique feature of the lot is that each sideline and rear lot setback is far in excess of what is required in an R15 zone. He feels that because of the ambiance of the home and landscaping that this should be maintained by a single landowner and that neither of the yards should be used for open space. Mr. Donohue said that the house dates back to the 1920’s. A discussion followed with the Commissioners, Mr. Voelker and Mr. Donohue regarding the open space
requirement.
Commissioner Horowitz asked if the land along the side was landscaped or in its natural condition. Mr. Donohue said that it is landscaped, but it has a line of trees and shrubs along with electrical power utilities there. Chairman Katz asked if he would leave the trees between the proposed house and the two houses that back up from West Street on the rear lot. Mr. Donohue said that they could, but did not think this would be attractive. Chairman Katz said that they would do a site walk, but everyone would do this on their own before the next meeting. Chairman Katz asked Mr. Voelker why the freecut does not apply to this application. Mr. Voelker said that this was subdivided once before around 1954. Commissioner Gardow asked why this application is being called a resubdivision. Mr. Voelker explained the criteria of a
resubdivision.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 25, 2001
PAGE 2
Chairman Katz said for the record that they have a memo from the Planning Staff, a letter from the WPCA saying that there is sewer service available for the lot, and a letter from Jim Vicevich.
Commissioner Katz opened the hearing to the public. Jim Vicevich, an abutter, spoke in favor of the application saying that Mrs. Donohue has lived in Simsbury for a long time and feels that the town should take that into consideration when they make their decision.
The public hearing was continued to the next Planning Commission meeting to be held on October 9, 2001.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
None
STAFF REPORTS
Mr. Voelker distributed the CRCOG schedule for year 2002.
Chairman Katz gave a report on the CRCOG meeting she attended earlier in September. She said that one presentation was on environmental equity in transportation planning. The other presentation was on the sales price of housing. She said that Avon has the highest price of housing at this time.
CORRESPONDENCE
None
The Commissioners briefly discussed several of the Plans of Development from area towns.
Chairman Katz also brought up the issue of scenic roads with regards to the Siting Council and towers. She would like Bill Voelker to report back on Route 309 at a future meeting.
Commissioner Cole said that she has delivered the final report of the Joint Committee on Economic Development. She said that so far there has been no feed back.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES July 10, 2001
Commissioner Gardow moved to approve the minutes of July 10, 2001 as presented. This was seconded by Commissioner Popik. The motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
_______________________
Pamela Katz, Secretary
| 
