Planning Commission Minutes 01/14/2014 ADOPTED

PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES

JANUARY 14, 2014

REGULAR MEETING

I.     CALL TO ORDER

Ferg Jansen, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices.  The following members were present:  Mark Drake, Robert Kulakowski, Alan Needham, William Rice, Richard Cortes and Gary Lungarini; Kevin Prell joined the meeting in progress.  Also in attendance were Hiram Peck, Director of Planning, and other interested parties.

II.     SEATING OF ALTERNATES AS NECESSARY

Commissioner Lungarini was seated for Commissioner Prell.

III.  PUBLIC HEARING(s)

Application #13-07 of Ensign-Bickford Realty, Owner, requesting re-subdivision of the property located at 437 Hopmeadow Street (Map F13, Block 103, Lot 005-3)  to create 2 lots.  Zone I-2.

Gus Jasminski of Ensign-Bickford Realty presented the map showing two parcels for Application #13-07 (Lot 005-3 and 005-4) to Commission  members to move the property line to make each lot a legal parcel, thus requesting a sub-division approval.  The property line would run through wet lands between the two parcels.  One parcel is under contract with an Assisted Living facility and they can apply for site plan approval under special exception.  Gus stated that they did meet with the Zoning Commission informally and are considering these two sites as well as an adjacent site, filing a PAD application where all three parcels are bundled together for an Assisted Living facility.

Site-3 on the corner of Powder Forest Drive has been studied for 75,000 to 90,000 square feet of commercial space with the 150-foot setback in place.  The more probable construction is a series of smaller single-story buildings with office or commercial space.  These two plans are not part of this application but are what is currently being worked on.

The town considers this application a re-subdivision, requiring a public hearing.  A re-subdivision is treated like a subdivision and there needs to be 20% open space.  When Powder Forest received the approval for their Master Plan, 20% was set aside at that time.  There is also a conservation easement across the front of the property.

Assessor’s Map F13, Block 103, Lot 005-3 (437 Hopmeadow Street), formerly 14.88 acres, is revised to 26.92 acres and Assessor’s Map F13, Block 103, Lot 005-4 (200 Powder Forest Drive), formerly 26.99 acres, is revised to 14.95 acres.

Commissioner Rice made a motion to close the Public Hearing on Application #13-07.  Commissioner Lungarini seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.

Commissioner Drake made a motion to approve the re-subdivision of Ensign-Bickford property, application #13-07 (Map F13, Block 103, Lot 005-3).  Commissioner Kulakowski seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.

Hiram Peck noted that a memo was received dated December 12, 2013, that stated there is currently no development to deal with utilities or storm water management but, depending on the overall development of the property, the applicant may need to revisit the traffic issue at some time.  This all depends upon what is proposed and how that compares to the permit that was previously issued.

These two lots were created back in the mid 80’s when things were not done as clearly as they are now.  It was decided to go forward and to be as strict as possible on these parcels of land.

Application #13-08 of Brian Denno, Denno Land Surveying, Applicant; Advantage Contracting, LLC, Owner; requesting re-subdivision of the property located at 70 King Philip Road (Map H15, Block 109, Lot 005B) to create 3 lots.  Zone R-80.

Application #13-08 has been continued to the January 28, 2014, meeting.

IV.  DISCUSSION ITEMS

 Status of ongoing projects:

Presented by Hiram Peck:

• Weatogue

Final draft was received and the consultant is in the process of putting together the report, which will be given to members in a couple of days.  A significant amount of work was done, but it is not yet ready for adoption.   This is the section of Route 10 between Powder Forest and the bridge. 

• Marketing Study

Phase I study is complete and is on line which indicates a number of directions that we should head into in order to increase some of the sizes of existing businesses and attract new ones to town.  The first phase of the study was the inexpensive portion.  The second phase was scheduled to cost about $120,000.  The Economic Development Commission suggested splitting the cost in half.  The EDC cut the amount back because they are looking at doing other things at the same time.  One suggestion is to have a meeting with several stake holders to discuss how this property should be used.  The town is looking to increase the Grand List and wants to ensure that the study will fit into the community.  One of the things that needs to be figured out is how to replace the tax bill that The Hartford pays to the Town.  Some of the new development to town, i.e. Dorset Crossing, will come close to replacing the loss of The Hartford.   There will be a breakfast meeting sponsored by the realtor and Chamber of Commerce held at The Hartford at 8:00 on February 26, 2014.

The Department of Economic and Community Development explained that they can help the Town by sending someone out to assist with the permit process which can shorten the permit process significantly.  The town is also working with this site as a model to create a “certified site program” where all permits are in hand or can be obtained quickly for interested buyers of the property.

• The Hartford, Draft Code status

Gateway Planning will be back to discuss the Draft Code.  The Hartford has received a copy and their consultant is looking at it to make a determination as to whether it is acceptable.  The Hartford, as well as the real estate consultant, are very happy with the results so far.  Zoning Commission has not yet reviewed this.

The Hartford will be holding a public update on February 21, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. as to where they are in the process.

• FY 2014-2015 budget

Mr. Peck does not expect a tremendous amount of money to come out of the BOS/BOF this year.  He would like the members of the Commission to let him know if there are any specific things they would like to see accomplished.  The Commission needs to be thinking of the 2017 Conservation Development that needs to be looked at every ten years and that this has to be put into the Capital plan at least two years in advance.  This would be about a $20,000 cost that could be split up into two fiscal years.

Mr. Peck stated that he believes that Big Y is close to an agreement with the Town but does not know the status or when the process will start.

  Future development projects:

• Powder Forest PAD

Mr. Peck talked with the developer buying the Assisted Living parcel; they are not ready yet with their plans.

V.    COMMUNICATIONS AND ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS

Commissioner Jansen stated that he received notification from Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG) that he needs appointments to the regional commission meetings within the next week.   Commissioner Jansen also asked for the minutes of the CRCOG meetings to be sent directly to the Commissioners by e-mail.

VI.  APPROVAL OF MINUTES of December 10, 2013

Line 153 “168 units” is changed to “252 units”

Commissioner Rice made a motion to approve the December 10, 2013, minutes as amended.    Commissioner Needham seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.

VII.      ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Prell made a motion to approve to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 p.m.    Commissioner Kulakowski seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.

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