Planning Commission Minutes 01/28/2014 ADOPTED
PLANNING COMMISSION - REGULAR MEETING – 7:00 PM
ADOPTED MINUTES
JANUARY 28, 2014
I. ROLL CALL
Ferg Jansen, Chairman, called the regular meeting for the Planning Commission to order at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 28, 2014 in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices located at 933 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT. The following members were present: Ron Locandro, Jr., Kevin Prell, Robert Kulakowski, Mark Drake, Will Rice, Richard Cortes, Alan Needham and Gary Lungarini. Also in attendance was Hiram Peck, Director of Planning.
II. SEATING OF ALTERNATES
All members were present.
III. PUBLIC HEARING
A. 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. (continued from 01/14/2014)
Mr. Denno is requesting to develop a 15-foot wide private road that gives frontage to all three lots with a hammerhead turn, which has been approved by the Fire Marshal. Frontage for all three lots is currently available through King Philip Road, but the status of the road is in question. The Town believes King Philip Road is a town right-of-way.
The hammerhead turn will have a 50ft radius to accommodate fire trucks and the 15ft wide private road will have 2ft of crushed stone on either side.
Bill Gallagher of 2 Highwood is concerned that current development will divert water onto his property and affect his driveway. Mr. Danno responded that the swale was deepened and contours to the land were added so that the water will lead into the basins and not over the driveway.
Mr. Peck outlined the following concerns to be addressed by the applicant prior to the Commission giving their approval:
A new letter from Ms. Kula at FVHD indicating revised plans are approved and concerns have been addressed.
All revised plans must have the proper seals.
The applicant asked for waivers to the width of the paved road. Instead of the town standard of 24 ft they are requesting a 15-foot paved road with 2ft of gravel on each side.The Conservation Commission prefers a 15-foot road in order to not create tremendous excavation on the site. Mr. Peck stated that the access must be safe and this should be clearly reflected on the plans. Mr. Peck also reminded the Commission that this road will always be private unless it is constructed to town standards.
A grade waiver is requested for this development since a grade that meets the town requirements would require a significant excavation to the property. The plans must accurately show the drainage and the types of soils to be used.
Conservation Commission wants to protect wetlands and create a buffer between the properties and the existing wetlands.
Mr. Peck said he received a request from the former and current town engineers to look at the plans in detail and make suggestions prior to the next meeting.
The Commission requested for Mr. Denno to return in two weeks with updated information. Also the Commission agreed to walk the site with the applicant on Saturday, February 8, 2014, at 9:00 A.M., weather permitting.
Chris Conover of 50 Princess Lane stated that he is vehemently opposed to any activity to the old colonial road that has not been used in possibly 150 years. Trees have taken over the road and water streams down it about five months of the year, which feeds into the wetlands. The Commission stated that the Town Engineers have no plans to alter the road.
IV. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Status of ongoing projects:
Marketing Study Phase 2
The Hartford, Draft Code status
FY 2014-15 budget
Mr. Peck gave a summary of the following items below:
Mr. Peck mentioned that the Economic Development Commission can talk about Phase 2 of the Marketing Study. However, there is a movement by the Board of Selectman to create an Economic Development Task Force. Anyone interested in joining that group, please inform Mr. Peck before the end of next week.
The Hartford Draft Code is coming along and will be returned to the Town by end of next week. The consultant for The Hartford will be at the Simsbury Public Library on February 18, 2014.
The Chamber is hosting a breakfast on February 26, 2014. Registration is required.
Mr. Peck wanted to know if the Commission has anything they would like to add into the budget to let him know soon. This includes if there is something else that the Planning Commission wants to accomplish, such as a study of residential impact on the tax base or evaluation of apartment versus residential properties in town.
V. COMMUNICATIONS AND ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
No discussion.
VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES of January 14, 2014
Line 22: Remove text “until his arrival”
Line 57: “Commissioner Cortes” is changed to “Commissioner Kulakowski”
Line 102: Add “and Chamber of Commerce to be” after the word “realtor”
Line 125: “2007” is changed to “2017”
Line 126: “Conversation” is changed to “Plan of Conservation and”
Line 144 & 145: Sentence should read as follows: “Commissioner Jansen also asked for the minutes of the CRCOG meetings to be sent directly to the Commissioners by e-mail.”
The Commission also noted that the minutes are missing assignments and dates. Commissioner Jansen asked Mr. Peck to review the tape and provide the information at the next meeting.
Commissioner Kulakowski made a motion to approve the minutes from January 14, 2014 as amended. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Rice and was unanimously approved.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Prell moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 pm. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lungarini and was unanimously approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Irene Muench, Commissions Clerk