05/23/2023 Planning Commission Minutes

Subject to Approval

PLANNING COMMISSION – REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
Public Meeting was held in the Main Meeting Room at Simsbury Town Hall
933 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT 06070

I. CALL TO ORDER – Chair Leavitt-Smith called the meeting to order at 7:01 P.M.

ROLL CALL

Present: Town Planner, George McGregor; Planning Consultant, Glenn Chalder; Chair, Erin Leavitt-Smith; Holly Beum, Joseph Campolieta, Donald Colantonio, and Marcus Furze

Commissioner Furze was appointed as a regular member for tonight’s meeting.

Absent: Secretary, William Rice; Diane Duran, Julie Eaton, and Craig MacCormac

Chair Leavitt-Smith announced that Diane Duran has resigned.

II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – May 9, 2023, Regular Meeting

MOTION: Commissioner Campolieta made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Beum, to accept the Minutes of the May 9, 2023, Regular Meeting as submitted. The motion carried unanimously. (5-0-0).

III. PUBLIC HEARINGS

Application #23-01 of Dorset Crossing LLC, Owner/Applicant; for resubdivision of Lot A on the property located at 30 Dorset Crossing (Assessor’s Map I04 Block 403, Lot 013-A), zone PAD.

• David Ziaks, President of F.A. Hesketh & Associates, Inc. stated that the potential buyer, from October 2022, of the building changed their mind which prompted a new resubdivision plan.

MOTION: Commissioner Campolieta made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Colantonio, to close the public hearing for Application #23-01 of Dorset Crossing LLC, Owner/Applicant; for re-subdivision of Lot A on the property located at 30 Dorset Crossing (Assessor’s Map I04 Block 403, Lot 013-A), zone PAD. The motion carried unanimously. (5-0-0).

MOTION: Commissioner Campolieta made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Beum, to approve Application #PC 23-01 of Dorset Crossing, LLC, Owner/Applicant; for a re-subdivision of Lot A (6.49 acres with 15,000 sq. ft. medical building) into a smaller 1.85 acre lot and creation of a new Lot H (4.64 acres), on property located at 30 Dorset Crossing (Assessor’s Map I04, Block 403, Lot 013A); Zone PAD, upon a finding that the re-subdivision is consistent with the Town Subdivision Regulations and the approved Master Development Plan for Dorset Crossing, subject to the following conditions of approval: the project shall be developed in substantial conformance to the “Concept Resubdivision Plan” for Dorset Crossing, progress print dated 9-27-22, prepared by F.A. Hesketh & Associates, Inc., and prior to the issuance of any building permit to construct buildings, 1, 3, 4, 5 or 6 on Lots A, H, F, the developer shall submit a unified parking and access plan, in a form acceptable to the Town. The motion carried unanimously. (5-0-0).

IV. NEW BUSINESS

ZC 23-18 30 Dorset Crossing Referral from Zoning Commission to Modify the Dorset Crossing PAD Master Plan

• Anthony Giorgio, PhD. Managing Director at The Keystone Companies stated that there is no demand for medical offices or retail spaces, but a high demand for multi-family housing.
• The request is for Lot H to hold three residential buildings, three stories high, each with 24 units varying in studio, one bedroom, and two bedrooms.
• It has been discussed with prospective buyers that Simsbury is interested in workforce housing and affordable housing.
• He foresees that if the three residential buildings are approved that a retail space in Lot A would be successful.
• They also met with the Conservation Commission / Inland Wetlands Agency and the Zoning Commission.

V. PLAN OF CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT

POCD Draft Review Work Session

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

VI. GENERAL COMMISSION BUSINESS

None.

VII. CORRESPONDENCE

None.

VIII. ADJOURNMENT

Chair Leavitt-Smith adjourned the meeting without objection at 9:02 P.M.

Respectfully Submitted,

Amanda Blaze
Commission Clerk