Zoning Commission Minutes 12/15/2014

ZONING COMMISSION - REGULAR MEETING – 7:00 PM

MINUTES – SUBJECT TO VOTE OF APPROVAL
DECEMBER 15, 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, December 15, 2014 in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices located at 933 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT. The following members were present: Mike Doyle, Ed Cosgrove, Jackie Battos, Kevin Gray, Derek Peterson, Vaughn Marecki and Dave 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 Post.

III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Minutes from November 17, 2014 Regular Meeting were adopted as submitted with minor changes(as noted below) from Commissioner Ryan.

Line 96 should read as follows: …use of the property is perhaps the highest and best use.

Line 97 should to read as follows: …an argument against approval that the commercial component of the PAD is improbable, it is speculative.

IV. CONSENT ITEMS(s)

Millwright’s Restaurant food packaging license.

Mr. Peck stated that the State of Connecticut requires a license for restaurants to preserve food and Millwright’s Restaurant is requesting a packaging license. He added that the restaurant is not changing their operational procedures.

The Commission gave their consent of approval for Millwright’s Restaurant to have a food packaging license.

V. PUBLIC HEARING(s)

1. Application #14-44 of John Evans, Agent for E and A/I and G Simsbury Commons LP, Owner, for a Special Exception pursuant to Article Ten, Section C.3i, of the Town of Simsbury Zoning Regulations for an additional wall sign for The Zoo on the property located at 530 Bushy Hill Road (Map B20, Block 508, Lot 001-B). Zone B-3. (received 11/17/2014; continued 11/17/2014; public hearing must close by 12/22/2014).

Mr. John Evans of The Zoo fitness center is requesting to hang a sign on the side of the building that faces the banks in an effort to bring in new business.

Mr. Peck stated that the sign meets the Town’s regulations and the owner of the property approves the additional sign.

Commissioner Ryan moved to close the public hearing for Application #14-44 of John Evans, Agent for E and A/I and G Simsbury Commons LP, Owner, for a Special Exception. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Peterson and was unanimously approved.

Commission Ryan moved to amend the agenda to vote on Application #14-44 of John Evans. The motion was unanimously approved.

Commissioner Ryan moved to approve Application #14-44 of John Evans, Agent for E and A/I and G Simsbury Commons LP, Owner, for a Special Exception pursuant to Article Ten, Section C.3i, of the Town of Simsbury Zoning Regulations for an additional wall sign for The Zoo on the property located at 530 Bushy Hill Road (Map B20, Block 508, Lot 001-B). Zone B-3. (received 11/17/2014; continued 11/17/2014; public hearing must close by 12/22/2014). The motion was seconded by Commissioner Peterson and was unanimously approved.  

VI. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION

1. Application #14-46 of Thom Greenlaw, Agent for The Ethel Walker School, Owner, for a Site Plan Amendment for the construction of the Centennial Center on the property located at 230 Bushy Hill Road (shown as Assessor’s Map D15, Block 115, Lot 006, and Assessor’s Map E14, Block 115, Lot 006, and Assessor’s Map E15, Block 115, Lot 006). Zone R-40. (received 11/17/2014; decision must be rendered by 1/21/2015).

Mr. Mark Arigoni, Principal of Milone & Mac Broom described general information about the proposed Centennial Center’s surrounding areas, which included grading, accesses to the building and drainage of storm water.

Mr. Lee Sherwood of OMR Architects provided a detailed description of the interior and exterior of the Centennial Center and its integration with the main building on campus. The building will serve as an athletic center for the students. He also addressed the flow of vehicles and their access to the building.

1.  Commissioner Peterson moved to approve Application #14-46 of Thom Greenlaw, Agent for The Ethel Walker School, Owner, for a Site Plan Amendment for the construction of the Centennial Center on the property located at 230 Bushy Hill Road (shown as Assessor’s Map D15, Block 115, Lot 006, and Assessor’s Map E14, Block 115, Lot 006, and Assessor’s Map E15, Block 115, Lot 006). Zone R-40. (received 11/17/2014; decision must be rendered by 1/21/2015). Approval of the motion requires that all issues brought forward by the Town Engineer have been addressed.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Marecki and was unanimously approved.

2. Application #14-47 of Landworks Development LLC, Agent: Ensign-Bickford Realty Corporation, Owner, for a Site Plan Amendment for the Highcroft development on the property located at 225 and 275 Powder Forest Drive (Assessor’s Map F-14, Block 103, Lot 005-5). Zone PAD. (received 11/17/2014; decision must be rendered by 1/21/2015).

Mr. Daniel Kleinman, Partner with Hinckley Allen, said that they are requesting approval from the Zoning Commission for an increase in the number of units and approval of the site plan. 

Mr. Ron Janeczko, Landworks Development of 75 West Street said that during the engineering process, they found that the walk outs weren’t practical and would result in losing unit count. They would like to add loft-type units in the attics, therefore increasing the number of units by 20 within the same footprint. Mr. Janeczko referenced the units in blue that appear on Phase 1 of the map. Reference “Site Plan for Site 5 and 6 Powder Forest”, sheet number D1. Mr. Janeczko said that since the Site Plan is based on the additional units, he requested the Commission to vote prior to discussing the Site Plan.

2. Commissioner Ryan moved to approve an increase in the total number of units for the Highcroft development from 252 to 272 as part of Application #14-47 of Landworks Development LLC, Agent; Ensign-Bickford Realty Corporation, Owner; for a Site Plan Amendment for the Highcroft development on the property located at 225 and 275 Powder Forest Drive (Assessor’s Map F-14, Block 103, Lot 005-5). Zone PAD. (received 11/17/2014; decision must be rendered by 1/21/2015). Commissioner Doyle seconded the motion and was unanimously approved.

Mr. John Stewart, Landscape Architect with CR3 of 571 Hopmeadow Street described the plantings and water drainage for the units in blue that appear on Phase 1 of the map. Reference “Site Plan for Site 5 and 6 Powder Forest”, sheet number D1.

Mr. Ron Janeczko said that they have found a high demand for first-floor living and described separating a four-unit building into two buildings with two units in each.

Commissioner Pomeroy asked Mr. Peck to prepare a list of motions for the Commission and to include approvals required by the Town engineers.

VII. PROCESS AND PROCEDURES

Mr. Robert DeCrescenzo, Town Attorney, discussed general topics regarding the role of the Commission and items the Commission should consider when voting on an application. Also, he added that the Commission needs to state reasons for denying an application. Mr. DeCrescenzo answered Commissioner Peterson’s question that the transcripts of the meeting, not the minutes, are used in court.

Mr. Peck stated that the minutes are no longer to reflect details of discussions for all Town Boards and Commissions.

VIII. DISCUSSION OF NEW AND ONGOING PROJECTS:

None discussed.

IX. ADJOURNMENT:

Commissioner Ryan made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:52 P.M.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Gray and was unanimously approved.

Respectfully Submitted,

Irene Muench, Commissions Clerk