Zoning Commission Minutes 05/05/2014 ADOPTED
ZONING COMMISSION - REGULAR MEETING – 7:00 PM
MINUTES
MAY 5, 2014
I. CALL TO ORDER
Commissioner Robert Pomeroy called the regular meeting for the Zoning Commission to order at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, May 5, 2014 in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices located at 933 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT. The following members were present: Ed Cosgrove, Kevin Gray, Gerald Post, Mike Doyle and David Ryan. Others in attendance included Hiram Peck, Director of Planning and other interested parties.
II. APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES
Commissioner Pomeroy appointed Commissioner Doyle for Commissioner Peterson and Commissioner Cosgrove for Commissioner Fiske.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes from April 21, 2014 Regular Meeting were unanimously approved as amended.
IV. CONSENT ITEMS(s)
1. Application #14-20 of Ted Zenteck, applicant: DARLAR, LLC, Owner; for a sign permit for Allstate on the property located at 730 Hopmeadow Street (Map G10, Block 227, Lot 002). Zone SC-1.
Mr. Peck stated that this application is for a new Allstate sign to replace the Old Town Barber Shop sign. The Allstate sign will have a blue background and white letters in accordance with the Allstate branding colors. Mr. Peck spoke with the Commissioner of the Design Review Board and there is no issue with the blue color and The Board recommends the sign for consent agenda.
Commissioner Gray asked about the other signs on the building that are not in compliance with the unified sign plan. Mr. Peck stated that those signs are currently being addressed and did not want to hold up this application while in process of having the other signs removed.
Commissioner Pomeroy commented that he encourages a unified sign plan for multiple buildings in town but allow for varied colors and use of logos. Commissioner Post indicated that he supports some variety in style and design, with the exception of outlandish colors.
1. Commissioner Ryan moved to approve Application #14-20 of Ted Zenteck, applicant: DARLAR, LLC, Owner; for a sign permit for Allstate on the property located at 730 Hopmeadow Street (Map G10, Block 227, Lot 002). Zone SC-1. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Doyle. Commissioners Pomeroy, Post and Cosgrove voted for the application and Commissioner Gray voted against the application.
V. PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Application #14-21 of Farm to Family, Agent: Town of Simsbury, Owner; for a special exception pursuant to Article Ten, Section H, of the Simsbury Zoning Regulations for a temporary liquor permit for a series of events on the property located at 73 Wolcott Road (Map I02, Block 439, Lot 002). Zone I-1.
Ms. Wendy Fralick, Director of Development for Farm to Family is requesting a liquor permit for three events being held this summer. She expects to have the same number of attendees as last year. The first event is the Chamber Business After Hours on June 9th (approximately 50 – 60 people.) The following two events are for the Farm to Table Dinners (approximately 90 - 100 people) on July 23rd and August 20th -- rain dates are July 24th and August 21st. All events are held at Community Farm of Simsbury.
Commissioner Post moved to close the public hearing for application #14-21 of Farm to Family. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Doyle and was unanimously approved.
1. Commissioner Gray moved to approve Application #14-21 of Farm to Family, Agent: Town of Simsbury, Owner; for a special exception pursuant to Article Ten, Section H, of the Simsbury Zoning Regulations for a temporary liquor permit for a series of events on the property located at 73 Wolcott Road (Map I02, Block 439, Lot 002). Zone I-1. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ryan. Commissioner Pomeroy amended the motion adding that approval is for three events to be held during the summer of 2104. If the dates change from the original schedule, staff needs to be notified. The motion was unanimously approved.
VI. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ANY AGENDA ITEM, INCLUDING:
1. Application #13-59 of David A. Richman, Agent for DARLAR, LLC, Owner, for a Site Plan Amendment for the installation of a permanent handicap ramp on the property located at 730 Hopmeadow Street (Map G10, Block 227, Lot 002). Zone SC-1.
Mr. David Richmond, Owner of 730 Hopmeadow Street began by saying he hasn’t been in front of any Boards for about five years and considers the process “warped”. He has hired contractors that wasted his time and money and they didn’t know what they were doing. Mr. Richmond said that the ramp is for his tenant Hear It Again. Mr. Richmond added that he thinks the latest designs from St. Denis Architects make the most sense for everyone involved. He continued to describe the layout of the ramp and the landscaping features that will be implemented. Mr. Richmond added that the ramp will not be visible from the street once the six Arborvitae plants are fully grown. He is assigning two parking spaces to Hear It Again and one of the spaces will be designated as handicapped parking.
Mr. Peck stated that the Design Review Board received and approved the application earlier that evening and had some comments that he would like to state for the record. He requested the Commission to include the following comments in the motion: The details, with regards to Building code for the ramp, need to be worked on with the building office; metal hand rails need to be dark in color, such as black, gray or dark brown; six Arborvitae and new grass are to be planted; the Design Review Board prefers composite over pressure treated wood, but both are acceptable.
Commissioner Pomeroy commented that the new design is a huge improvement over the original.
1. Commissioner Cosgrove moved to approve Application #13-59 of David A. Richman, Agent for DARLAR, LLC, Owner, for a Site Plan Amendment for the installation of a permanent handicap ramp on the property located at 730 Hopmeadow Street (Map G10, Block 227, Lot 002). Zone SC-1. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ryan and was unanimously approved. The Zoning Commission’s approval is based on the Design Review Board’s approval on May 5, 2014. Specifics include: Details regarding the building code of ramp needs to be approved by the Building Official; metal hand rails on ramp and returns are to be dark in color; six Arborvitae and grass are to be planted; Design Review Board prefers composite over pressure treated wood, however, treated wood is acceptable.
2. Application #14-18 of Michael Wallace, Applicant: Town of Simsbury, Owner, for a Site Plan Amendment for the installation of a scoreboard by the club house on the property located at 100 Old Farms Road. Zone R-40.
Mr. Michael Wallace, Golf Course Superintendent of Simsbury Farms, is requesting approval to install a golf scoreboard for the club house to replace one that is currently on the side of the building. He added that every time it rains, they get soaked. Mr. Wallace stated that the scoreboard will be installed free-standing on the north side of the clubhouse across from the hotdog cart. Three panels will be installed on the posts; the center panel is 4 ft. x 5 ft. and the two side panels open and close. The boards will be stained brown on the back side.
2. Commissioner Ryan moved to approve Application #14-18 of Michael Wallace, Applicant: Town of Simsbury, Owner, for a Site Plan Amendment for the installation of a scoreboard by the club house on the property located at 100 Old Farms Road. Zone R-40. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Doyle and was unanimously approved.
VII. STATUS OF THE FOLLOWING:
- The Hartford Code
- Big Y
Mr. Peck stated that The Hartford has made comments to the Code and that the revisions will be made and resubmitted on May 6, 2014 to The Hartford for final review. He added that the consultant is scheduled to come back on June 16, 2014 and explain what the Code is all about during the Zoning Commission meeting. The Zoning Commission decides on approval of the code.
Mr. Peck also mentioned that Big Y will begin construction this summer and expects to open in 2015.
Mr. Peck added that Pride is moving quickly with construction on both sites. Mr. Peck said that he is working with the building official to ensure Pride is putting the fence around the HVAC system located on the roof.
Commissioner Pomeroy asked if Mr. Peck had an update of the Pool Barn located across from Dunkin Donuts. Mr. Peck stated that the owner of the property has been to the Conservation Wetlands Commission with a plan for that property and the public has been actively involved in discussions. The Conservation Wetlands Commission approved the application, which includes plans for a convenience store, significant rehabilitation of the building and some retail spaces. Mr. Peck added that there is a potential for gas pumps to be added for use in front of the convenience store.
Commissioner Pomeroy also asked Mr. Peck for an update of the car wash at the south end of town. Mr. Peck said that the process has been slow but in accordance of what has been approved. He added that a lot of paving in the back of the car wash has been completed and the owners are currently discussing signage.
Mr. Peck added a final comment that he has been given permission to ask the Board of Selectman for a funds transfer to begin a complete revision of the Zoning Regulations. After approval from the Board of Selectmen, Mr. Peck will then ask the Board of Finance for approval of funds.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Ryan made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 P.M. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Cosgrove and was unanimously approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Irene Muench, Commissions Clerk