Simsbury, CT - Planning Minutes

Joan Howard, Chairman, called the Regular Meeting of the Simsbury Planning Commission to order at 7:33 p.m. in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. The following members were present: Pamela Katz, 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, John Romano, BOS Liaison, John Loomis and other interested parties.

a. Application of Robert J. Rossetti and Alan Guarco, Owners, for a Zone Change from Professional Office to Simsbury Center Zone on property located at 1 Massaco Street (Public Hearing to be held on December 17, 2001).

T. J. Donohue, Attorney, representing Mr. Rossetti and Mr. Guarco, owners of 1 Massaco Street and also Schoenhardt Architects, tenants of 1 Massaco Street spoke on behalf of this application. Mr. Donohue said that Schoenhardt Architects is a growing firm that would like to make some improvements to the property. He said that they would like to make use of a garage located on the property by making it into architectural space and have some of their employees working there. Mr. Donohue showed the property on a plan and also showed all the properties in the immediate area that are zoned Simsbury Center Zone. He said that the Plan of Development clearly shows this area as Simsbury Center Zone.

Commissioner Katz asked when the Simsbury Center Zone was set up why this particular spot was left as Professional Office. Mr. Donohue said that the conversion into Simsbury Center Zone was not done all at once. He said over time, by zone change, there were eight other actions taken by this Commission adding to the Simsbury Center Zone. Mr. Donohue also said that he thought people might have been living in these houses when the Simsbury Center Zone was first put through. Mr. Voelker said that residences are allowed in the Simsbury Center Zone.

Chairman Howard asked Mr. Voelker to review the difference between the map from the Simsbury Zoning Regulations and the larger map being shown. Mr. Voelker said that the Zoning Regulations map shows the sub-categories. The larger map does not show them. Chairman Howard asked if there are standards in the Zoning Regulations that go along with this type of change. Mr. Voelker said that the statutes state that considerations have to be given to the Plan of Development. Chairman Howard asked what differences there would be here if this site goes from its current zoning to Simsbury Center Zone. Mr. Voelker said setbacks and impervious surface. He said that the planned office has 40% impervious surface coverage and could be increased by special exception to 60%.

Commissioner Katz moved to make a positive referral to the Zoning Commission on the application of Robert J. Rossetti and Alan Guarco, Owners, for a Zone Change from Professional Office to Simsbury Center Zone, Subzone B on property located at 1 Massaco Street as this is consistent with the Plan of Development. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Rankin Popik and passed unanimously.

Commissioner Gardow moved to add to the agenda a proposed zone change from R40 to Simsbury Center Zone on a portion of property at 933 Hopmeadow Street. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Horowitz and passed unanimously.

Commissioner Gardow moved to recommend a positive referral to the Zoning Commission for the proposed zone change from the currently zoned R40 portion at 933 Hopmeadow Street to Simsbury Center Zone, subzone B, because this is consistent with the Plan of Development. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Horowitz and passed unanimously.

Commissioner Bednarcyk announced that the Planning Commissions Holiday Party would be held on Tuesday, December 11, 2001 directly after the regular scheduled meeting. The party will be held at the home of Elise Sirman, 111 Westledge Road, West Simsbury.

Commissioner Cole discussed the CRCOG meeting she attended in October. She also went over the CRCOG 2002 proposed agenda items for January – June. The January topic is land use and zoning, February topic is public water and sewer and transportation, March topic is housing, April topic is economic development and May and June’s topic is future land use planned build out scenario’s. Commissioner Bednarcyk signed up for January 17, Commissioner Katz signed up for February 21, March 21 available, Commissioner Cole signed up for April 18, and Commissioner Gardow signed up for May 16 and June 20.

Mr. Voelker briefly discussed the Town of Simsbury’s request to designate Route 309 as a scenic highway. He said that a letter dated November 6, 2001 has been sent to Colleen Kissane, Chairperson, Scenic Road Advisory Committee at the Connecticut Department of transportation. Mr. Voelker mentioned that a scenic road designation could influence the decision of the Connecticut Siting Council regarding wireless towers. Chairman Howard asked if a meeting could be setup with Colleen Kissane. Mr. Voelker said that he could try.

Mr. Voelker said that the Connecticut Siting Council has denied the application for a tower on West Street. He said that they have approved the tower at Powder Forest, but with modifications in the tower height. Mr. Voelker said that the Town has received three proposals for a tower on a site at the town garage. He said that a specific site has not been chosen there yet. Mr. Voelker said that the Board of Selectman has the final say on which firm will be selected for the job.