05/09/2023 Planning Commission Minutes

PLANNING COMMISSION – REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

Tuesday, May 9, 2023

Public Meeting was held in the Main Meeting Room at Simsbury Town Hall

933 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT 06070

1. CALL TO ORDER – Chair Leavitt-Smith called the meeting to order at 7:03 P.M.

1. ROLL CALL

                  Present: Town Planner, George McGregor; Planning Consultant, Glenn Chalder;                          Chair, Erin Leavitt-Smith; Holly Beum, Donald Colantonio, Julie Eaton, Marcus                     Furze, Craig MacCormac

                  Absent: Secretary, William Rice; Joseph Campolieta and Diane Duran.

                  Marcus Furze and Craig MacCormac were appointed as regular member for tonight’s                   meeting.

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

                  March 28, 2023, Regular Meeting

                  MOTION: The Planning Commission unanimously accepted the Minutes of the                           March 28, 2023, Regular Meeting as submitted. (5-0-0).

                  April 25, 2023, Special Meeting

                 MOTION: The Planning Commission unanimously accepted the Minutes of the April                  25, 2023, Special Meeting as submitted. (5-0-0).

                 Commissioner Eaton joined the meeting.

                  May 2, 2023, Special Meeting

                  MOTION: The Planning Commission unanimously accepted the Minutes of the May                   2, 2023, Special Meeting, as submitted. Commissioner MacCormac abstained. (5-0-1).

1. PUBLIC HEARINGS

                 There were no public hearings.

1. NEW BUSINESS

                  Referral to the Planning Commission pursuant to CGS 8-24 for an easement                          area for school use adjacent to the Squadron Line School

• Mr. McGregor stated that the Board of Selectmen sent this referral because the school district would like to enter into an easement with Tobacco Valley Solar for a .24-acre piece of land that is adjacent to the back of Squadron Line School.
• He stated that the school has used this area in the past as an outdoor classroom and for other activities.
• He recognized that this is consistent with the POCD’s recommendation of supporting the local communities’ facilities and school district.

                  MOTION: Commissioner Colantonio made a motion for a positive referral,                                  seconded by Commissioner Beum, to CGS 8-24 for an easement area for school use                            adjacent to the Squadron Line School, consistent with the POCD. The motion carried                            unanimously. (6-0-0).

1. PLAN OF CONSERVATON AND DEVELOPMENT

                  POCD Draft Review Work Session

                  The Commissioners went through the POCD making edits to ensure the statements                       were in alignment with community values and presented clear ideas for future                                     development.

1. GENERAL COMMISSION BUSINESS

                  No general commission business.

1. CORRESPONDENCE

      No correspondence.

1. ADJOURNMENT

                  Chair Leavitt-Smith adjourned the meeting with no objection at 9:02 P.M.

                  Respectfully Submitted,

                  Amanda Blaze

                  Commission Clerk