PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
March 18, 2008
SPECIAL MEETING
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman John Loomis called the special meeting of the Planning Commission to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Police Department Training Room at the Simsbury Town Offices. The following members were present: Ferguson Jansen, Susan Bednarcyk, Mark Drake, Charles Houlihan and Julie Meyer. Commissioners Carol Cole and Gerry Post were absent.
II. SEATING OF ALTERNATES
Chairman Loomis appointed Commissioner Drake to serve in the absence of Commissioner Post.
III. CONNECTICUT GENERAL STATUTES 8-24 REFERRAL ON THE PROPOSED CAPITAL PROJECTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 08-09
Chairman Loomis referred to the Connecticut General Statute. He stated that the Commission has already been briefed on the 6 year outlook regarding Capital Projects.
In response to Commission Houlihan’s question regarding why the dollar amounts were not stated in the draft resolution, Mr. Sawitzke stated that they are not required on the short form. Richard Sawitzke distributed several handouts regarding each Capital project as to the funding and a description of each that the Commission would be discussing.
Commissioner Meyers read the first resolution. Commissioner Jansen introduced the following resolution, which was seconded by Commissioner Houlihan.
RESOLVED, that the Planning Commission of the Town of Simsbury approves the following project pursuant to Section 8-24 of the General Statutes of Connecticut:
Laurel Hill/Gersten land acquisition of approximately 50 acres located along the Talcott Mountain ridgeline for open space, recreation and other municipal purposes.
Chairman Loomis stated that on the draft resolution, “Gersten” is misspelled.
Mr. Sawitzke stated that the Laurel Hill/Gersten property has been in the POCD for the last 25 years and the Town has tried to purchase it several times in the past.
Commissioner Houlihan questioned if this item would be bonded. Mr. Sawitzke stated that the Board of Finance would decide if it should be bonded based upon the cash flow.
The resolution was approved by 6 votes in favor and zero votes opposed.
Commissioner Houlihan read the second resolution. Commissioner Drake introduced the following resolution, which was seconded by Commissioner Meyer.
RESOLVED, that the Planning Commission of the Town of Simsbury approves the following project pursuant to Section 8-24 of the General Statutes of Connecticut:
Design and construction of streetscape improvements at the Rts. 10/167/Drake Hill Road intersection associated with certain State DOT Projects, including traffic flow improvements, center area improvements, turning lane reconfiguration, traffic signal modernization, pedestrian access and safety improvements through construction of sidewalks, curbs, crosswalks and traffic calming treatments, lighting, plantings, landscaping and completion of the Greenway Trail.
Mr. Sawitzke stated that within the Farmington Valley Greenway, this is the last missing segment of the trail. This project also includes land reconfiguration and there will also be streetscape opportunities. He stated that this project is being reauthorized; it has already been approved two times in the past.
Mr. Sawitzke explained the difference regarding these items going to referendum verses voting at the Town Meeting.
The resolution was approved by 6 votes in favor and zero votes opposed.
Commissioner Drake read the third resolution. Commissioner Houlihan introduced the following resolution, which was seconded by Commissioner Jansen.
RESOLVED, that the Planning Commission of the Town of Simsbury approves the following project pursuant to Section 8-24 of the General Statutes of Connecticut:
Improvements to Eno Hall, including safety, code, accessibility and preservation improvements such as installation of a fire suppression system, front entry walks and surrounding feature improvements, architectural code construction, handicap access improvements and repairing and repainting of clock tower and columns.
Mr. Sawitzke stated that there has been a history of improvements at Eno Memorial Hall. Eno is fine architecturally and is on the Registry of historical places. There is also a fund associated with Eno, although there is not enough money there for this entire project. Mr. Sawitzke stated that they are looking to do all of these projects at once in the proper sequence. They will also be doing code improvements as well.
Regarding the budget, Mr. Sawitzke stated that the Town received a grant for small towns from the State. Some of this project for Eno may be bonded or it is quite possible that the BOF will not bond it at all.
Commissioner Drake questioned how often Eno Memorial Hall is used and for what purpose it is used for. Mr. Sawitzke stated that there are approximately 350 events scheduled at Eno every year. It is also used as Simsbury’s Senior Center and it houses SCTV.
The resolution was approved by 6 votes in favor and zero votes opposed.
Commissioner Jansen read the fourth resolution. Commissioner Meyer introduced the following resolution, which was seconded by Commissioner Bednarcyk.
RESOLVED, that the Planning Commission of the Town of Simsbury approves the following project pursuant to Section 8-24 of the General Statutes of Connecticut:
Water main extensions and fire hydrant service for fire protection into portions of Whitcomb Drive, The Glade, The Butterchurn, Wyngate.
Mr. Sawitzke stated that The Glade and The Butterchurn were side streets located off of Wyngate. He stated that the water company will not do this work; they do not have the capability to assess this.
The Commission discussed the reimbursement made to residents.
The resolution was approved by 6 votes in favor and zero votes opposed.
Commissioner Bednarcyk read the fifth resolution. Commissioner Houlihan introduced the following resolution, which was seconded by Commissioner Meyer.
RESOLVED, that the Planning Commission of the Town of Simsbury approves the following project pursuant to Section 8-24 of the General Statutes of Connecticut:
Sewer main extensions on Cornfield Road, High Hill Circle, portions of Bushy Hill Road near Joseph Drive.
Mr. Sawitzke stated that the Town evaluates neighborhoods by request.
The resolution was approved by 6 votes in favor and zero votes opposed.
Chairman Loomis read the sixth resolution. Commissioner Bednarcyk introduced the following resolution, which was seconded by Commissioner Jansen.
RESOLVED, that the Planning Commission of the Town of Simsbury approves the following project pursuant to Section 8-24 of the General Statutes of Connecticut:
Design and reconstruction of the South Pump Station, including rewiring and repiping, replacement of existing pumps with three dry pit submersible pumps, replacement of motor controls, construction of a hatch between levels for equipment removal, replacement or refurbishment of railings, replacement of access hatch on the wetwell, installation of a flow meter and necessary connections to computer system.
Mr. Sawitzke stated that this pump station is 35 years old and handles the flow for all of Simsbury and for Avon. He stated that they will be replacing the equipment, which will be a major energy saver. They would be putting in 3 new pumps, one of which would have lower horse power.
The resolution was approved by 6 votes in favor and zero votes opposed.
Commissioner Meyer read the seventh resolution. Commissioner Houlihan introduced the following resolution, which was seconded by Commissioner Meyer.
RESOLVED, that the Planning Commission of the Town of Simsbury approves the following project pursuant to Section 8-24 of the General Statutes of Connecticut:
Replacement of the roof on the original section of Tootin’ Hills School and the roof on modular classrooms.
Mr. Sawitzke stated that there is a 20 year life expectancy for roofs. After this time period, the Town looks to see if the roofs need to be replaced. This project is eligible for State grants because the roof is at least 20 years old. They are looking to replace this roof prior to problems arising. The reason they are looking at Tootin’ Hills School and not Latimer Lane is because the roof is older at Tootin’.
The resolution was approved by 6 votes in favor and zero votes opposed.
Commissioner Houlihan read the eighth resolution. Commissioner Jansen introduced the following resolution, which was seconded by Commission Bednarcyk.
RESOLVED, that the Planning Commission of the Town of Simsbury approves the following project pursuant to Section 8-24 of the General Statutes of Connecticut:
Replacement of boilers and controls at Tariffville School and Henry James Memorial School.
Mr. Sawitzke stated that both of the boilers are very old and use a great deal of energy. These boilers would be replaced with much smaller units and would be much more energy efficient.
The resolution was approved by 6 votes in favor and zero votes opposed.
Chairman Loomis thanked Mr. Sawitzke for his time.
IV. DISCUSSION OF PDD REFERRAL PROCESS
The Commission discussed the timeframe for the referral. Chairman Loomis stated that the Planning Commission has 65 days from the receipt of this application to make the referral. The Planning Commission has a regularly scheduled meeting on March 25, and a Special meeting will be held on April 1st to give enough time to make the referral. The Zoning Commission has scheduled a public hearing for April 7th, which will give this Commission enough time to educate the new members and review the information they already have prior to making the referral.
Commissioner Meyer questioned what other Town’s Regulations were used to draft the Simsbury’s PDD. She would like to know the principle sources used from among the 40 Towns that were looked at or any other source that Mr. Peck used in drafting the PDD.
Chairman Loomis stated that the primary source that the Planning Commission should consider is the POCD. Although it does not need to be used as a principle reference, they need to make it a reference.
The Commission discussed the areas that were applicable to the Konover PDD. Commissioner Drake stated that it is very important to know what areas it applies to. Commissioner Frank, as he understood it, felt that it applies to 5 areas in Town.
The Commission discussed if they should hold a public hearing prior to making their referral. Chairman Loomis stated that he did not believe they needed to hold a public hearing, although they could allow public comment that was limited to a time constraint. Commissioner Houlihan stated his concerns that allowing public input may complicate the issue and he would rather any public input be in written form or that a separate meeting should be held for public input only.
Commissioner Meyer stated that she would like to see a public hearing take place. If that does not happen, she suggested that public input be allowed at the end of their March 25th meeting. This would enable the Commission to take the public’s comments and information into consideration prior to making their referral. Commissioner Meyer also agreed with Commissioner Houlihan regarding a separate meeting for public input, although written comment would be better. She did state again that having a public hearing would be her first choice. The Commission continued this discussion and talked about public hearing verses public comment.
Commissioner Drake stated that this Commission already has a sense of where the public is on this issue because of the public participation during the POCD. He feels that the public will have an opportunity to state their concerns and ask questions at the Zoning Commission hearing. Commissioner Jansen agreed. Commissioner Bednarcyk disagreed with Commissioners Drake and Jansen. She feels that public comment is a very necessary part of this process.
Commissioner Houlihan stated that he would like to see an outcome, no matter if their referral is in support or rejection of this PDD. He feels that the Planning Commission should give a series of recommendations that could improve the PDD for Zoning’s consideration. This would enable to Town to put together their own PDD if Konover’s PDD is ultimately not approved. Commissioner Jansen agreed with Commissioner Houlihan. Chairman Loomis stated that if this PDD is not voted for because of any shortcomings, the Planning Commission could recommend certain things that they feel should be included.
Chairman Loomis stated that he is getting a sense, from most Commissioners, that a public hearing is not needed. He stated that he would be getting more information from Town staff regarding public input and how to get the word out to residents that written public input regarding the Konover PDD will be taken from this Commission. It is preferable that this written public input be submitted before the March 25th meeting, with a definite cut-off date of March 30th. Commissioner Houlihan also suggested that SCTV broadcast their upcoming meetings in order to keep the community informed.
Commissioner Drake stated that the Planning Commission could hold off on giving the Zoning Commission their referral and could listen to the public comments at the Zoning public hearing. Chairman Loomis stated that this would limit the Zoning Commission’s freedom of action. The Planning Commission needs to act prior to the Zoning Commission’s public hearing.
V. STAFF REPORTS
There were none.
VI. COMMUNICATIONS AND ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
Chairman Loomis stated that Dunny Barney is recommending to First Selectman, Mary Glassman, that Dwight Merriam, from Robinson & Cole, be retained in land use matters going forward. Mr. Barney would appreciate the Planning Commission joining the Zoning Commission in supporting this issue.
Commissioner Jansen stated his concerns regarding Dwight Merriam living in Simsbury. Mr. Merriam also has written a letter regarding Simsbury being a leader in having a Charrette done in Town. Commissioner Jansen believes this is a conflict.
Commissioner Houlihan stated that although he understands Commissioner Jansen’s concerns, Simsbury has already put out a request for a proposal for a lawyer. He does not know if anyone has expressed any interest so far. He feels that they should not pre-empt that request.
Commissioner Meyer stated that she would need more clarification before commenting on this issue.
Chairman Loomis stated that he would be getting more information on this issue. More information is needed before the Planning Commission could take any action.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Jansen motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:07 p.m. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Houlihan and unanimously approved.
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John Loomis, Chairman
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