Planning Commission 01/22/2013 ADOPTED

PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
JANUARY 22, 2013
REGULAR MEETING

I. CALL TO ORDER

Michael R. Paine, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices.  The following members were present:  Ferg Jansen, Richard Cortes, Gary Lungarini, William Rice, Robert Kulakowski, Kevin Prell, and Mark Drake.  Also in attendance were: Hiram Peck, Director of Planning; Janis Prifti, Commission Clerk; and other interested parties.

Chairman Paine thanked SCTV for taping the meetings and expressed appreciation for getting this information out to Town citizens.

II. SEATING OF ALTERNATES

Chairman Paine appointed Commissioner Lungarini to serve as an alternate for Tina E. Hallenbeck.

III. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE DECISION

A. CGS 8-24 Referral:  60 Plank Hill Road:  restroom facility at Memorial Park Little League field

Commissioner Prell disclosed he was on the Little League Board for several years, but is no longer on the Board.

Tom Benneche, Little League President for 2013, stated they have a project the Board of Selectmen has accepted to renovate their existing snack shack with restrooms off the back and a pavilion in the front.  He provided drawings to the Commissioners and said they are very excited about this project, which has been discussed for 20 years.  He said they will add 3 bathrooms on the back for women, men, and unisex/handicapped; on each side they will extend the roofline with the side abutting the Field 2 grill area to protect the Kane's workers; on the Field 3 side will be another service-window covered area; and on the building front will be a 28-foot covered pavilion with seating for people watching the games.  Regarding the covered grilling area, he said they will use fire rated materials and coordinate with Mr. Kowalski.  He confirmed sewer is available. 

Mr. Peck prepared a short memo regarding the Plan of Conservation and Development, noting a number of applicable policies and recommended the Commission include these policies, if it decides to grant approval of this project.  He recommended people with questions contact staff before the referral goes to Conservation or Zoning.

Commissioner Rice made a motion to positively refer the Application to the Conservation Commission and the Zoning Commission citing the items Mr. Peck referenced in his memo regarding the Plan of Conservation and Development, including:  providing sites for expanding athletic facilities within the Town; encourage adequate recreational facilities to meet community needs; and Policy #4, "As needed, maintain toilet facilities at all recreational sites to support users for as much of the calendar year as possible."

Commissioner Jansen seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.

B. CGS 8-24 Referral:  Pharos Farm/Hall Farm

Chuck Howard, President of Simsbury Land Trust, stated they were before the Commission last year for an 8-24 Referral.  He said this is essentially the same issue with a slight twist.  Following last year's referral, they negotiated an agreement with Mr. Hall where the Natural Resources Conservation Service typically allows for the future building of a residence and a barn on the property and it was included in the agreements forwarded to the Town, but in the presentation he never emphasized it.  He said at the Town Public Hearing in December it came as a surprise and he is back here to assure there is no unresolved issue.  He said there will be no residence; there will only potentially be a barn in a current grove of woods, which should enhance the agricultural value of the property.  He said the Land Trust last year received a federal grant for half the acquisition cost of the easement and once this Commission acts it will go back to the Selectmen with all questions resolved.  He said they have designated a footprint for the barn, which in fact does not have to be built.  He clarified the barn would be for agricultural purposes.

Mr. Peck said the Board of Selectmen wanted this 8-24 Referral to be clear to the Commission before their final approval.  He said it is fairly clear in the POCD there are policies supporting the preservation of working farms with specific properties noted.  He said there are 3 issues here:  1) the existing property has a well with an easement to an abutting property owner and the abutting owner may give up that easement in exchange for acquiring a small strip of land where he could drill another well for his property, and while it is not a requirement and up to the Land Trust, it is Staff's opinion it would be of significant benefit to the agricultural use of the property; 2) Pharos Lane is a public way just north of the property and is not part of this property; thus, Pharos Way public use and ownership will continue; and 3) if a barn is proposed to be constructed, it will only be for agricultural purposes and will only be built in the designated grove of trees.  He said it is Staff's opinion that the agricultural use of this property allows for the creation of the barn as the principal structure and will provide a letter of assurance, as required. 

Commissioner Rice made a motion for an affirmative referral based on the discussion and clarifications provided by Mr. Peck, including:  that Pharos Lane is not part of this property and will continue to be for public use; and the barn, if constructed, would be the principal structure for the property and would likely be located where there currently is an existing grove of trees on the southern portion of the property, and noting there is a small amount of flood plain on the property.

Commissioner Lungarini seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.

IV. COMMUNICATIONS AND ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS

Mr. Peck provided the Commissioners with information that on a Saturday in March, the Connecticut Bar Association will hold a Connecticut Land Use Workshop at a cost of $45 for the day.  He said the Workshop sells out every year and interested Commissioners should let him know so he can sign them up quickly.

Mr. Peck said the Town Center Design Guidelines consultant finally was able to come to Town and the Guidelines are on the Town Website, or he can provide a hardcopy if required.  He said the Design Review Board received the final Guidelines this evening and they will shortly take a look at potential village districts and hopefully transfer some of the Guidelines into 2-3 of those districts, e.g. Weatogue, West Street, and determine where the northern/southern gateways begin/end.   Chairman Paine asked that the Commissioners think about who would like to be involved and discuss it with him.

Mr. Peck said some projects will come forward soon.  He said Big Y is in the State Traffic Commission (STC) process and hopes to break ground in February; however, if it is later than that, they will likely put it off a year.  The Town is providing STC with approval documentation.

Commissioner Jansen and the Commissioners expressed thanks to Mr. Peck for the homework he does to expedite their review process.

V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES of December 11, 2012

On Line 37, the word, "that" is inserted following "confirmed".

Commissioner Rice made a motion to approve the December 11, 2012, minutes as amended. 

Commissioner Kulakowski seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.

VI. ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Jansen made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 p.m.  Commissioner Rice seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.

_____________________________
Michael R. Paine, Chairman