Planning Commission Minutes 10/08/2013 ADOPTED
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
OCTOBER 8, 2013
REGULAR MEETING
I. CALL TO ORDER
Michael R. Paine, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. The following members were present: Ferg Jansen, Richard Cortes, William Rice, Robert Kulakowski, Kevin Prell, and Mark Drake. Also in attendance was, Janis Prifti, Commission Clerk, and other interested parties.
II. SEATING OF ALTERNATES AS NECESSARY
Chairman Paine appointed Commissioner Kulakowski to serve for Tina Hallenbeck.
Commissioner Jansen made a motion to amend the Agenda to consider the minutes first. Commissioner Kulakowski seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF June 11, 2013; July 9, 2013; August 13, 2013
June 11, 2013:
On Line 108, insert "Commissioner Rice made a motion to provide a positive referral to the Application; there was no second and the motion died."
On Line 116, the word "Richmond" is corrected to "Richman".
On Line 120, the word "deny" is deleted and inserted in its place are the words "provide a negative referral to".
Line 192 is deleted and Line 194 is changed to read, "On Line 18, Tina Hallenbeck was Acting Chairman and seated Commissioner Kulakowski as Secretary."
Commissioner Rice made a motion to approve the June 11, 2013, Meeting Minutes as amended. Commissioner Drake seconded the motion, and it was passed with Commissioners Prell and Kulakowski abstaining.
July 9, 2013:
Commissioner Kulakowski made a motion to approve the July 9, 2013, Meeting Minutes as written. Commissioner Drake seconded the motion, and it was passed with Commissioners Prell, Cortes, and Jansen abstaining.
August 13, 2013:
On Line 8, "Michael E. Paine" is corrected to "Michael R. Paine".
Commissioner Prell made a motion to approve the August 13, 2013, Meeting Minutes as amended. Commissioner Rice seconded the motion, and it was passed with Commissioners Jansen and Kulakowski abstaining.
III. DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE ACTION
1. Acceptance of Dorset Crossing Drive and Casterbridge Crossing
A letter from the Town Engineer was discussed and whether all the conditions have been met requiring Town receipt of the as-built drawings, deeds to road and utility easements, and a one-year maintenance bond in the amount of $21,000. Regarding the urgency of Dorset Crossing receiving acceptance, it was believed to relate to DOT and CL&P. The Commissioners concluded it was not clear that all conditions have been met to date.
Commissioner Jansen made a motion to approve the acceptance of Dorset Crossing Drive and Casterbridge Crossing subdivision pursuant to the terms outlined in Richard Sawitzke's letter of October 3, 2013, to the Chairman of the Planning Commission, in particular the conditions in the last paragraph, "Acceptance should be conditioned on the receipt of as-built drawings, deeds to road and utility easements, and a one-year maintenance bond in the amount of $21,000."
Commissioner Prell seconded the motion, and it was passed with Commissioner Rice opposed.
2. Succession Plan
The Commissioners discussed the upcoming orderly change of Chairman and other changes to membership. Current bylaws allow, in the absence of the Chairman and Secretary, for the group to appoint an acting Secretary who can act as Chairman to run the meeting until a new Chairman is decided. The Chairman primarily sets the agenda and meets with Town Staff for 15 minutes to an hour the week before a meeting; the Secretary sometimes attended these meetings, as well. The current Commission has three [four] more meetings scheduled in 2013. Town Staff will be consulted by the Chairman and Policies and Procedures for the Commission will be provided to members for review before the next meeting.
IV. FOR CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE VOTE TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL:
1. Capitol Region Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Update 2013 - 2018 Executive Summary
Commissioners who had an opportunity to read this Plan provided positive comment; however, other members requested additional time to review it for discussion at the next meeting. The CCROG Plan is for all the towns and with a lot of thought given to how to handle another disaster. CCROG requests Planning Commission approval and then it proceeds to the Board of Selectmen to act on. Prior to the next meeting, the Commission Chair will discuss the Plan with the Town Public Works Director, who would be significantly involved.
Documents received included a notice modifying an existing cell phone tower.
Town Staff will be consulted regarding a question received by a Commissioner from the public asking whether the original approval for the Land Works subdivision on Stratton Brook Road was for all active adult housing or was there a provision for regular freestanding homes without age restriction.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Prell made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 p.m. Commissioner Jansen seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.
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