Planning Commission Minutes 05/09/2017

Meeting date:

May 9, 2017

PLANNING COMMISSION - REGULAR MEETING

MINUTES – SUBJECT TO VOTE OF APPROVAL

I.             CALL TO ORDER   Meeting was called to order at 7:00pm by Chairman Rice.

II.            ROLL CALL

Present:               Regular Members, William Rice, Holly Beum, Alan Needham, Erin Leavitt-Smith; Alternate Member:  Gary Lungarini

Absent:                Regular Member, Ron Locandro, Jr., Robert Kulakowski; Alternate Member: Mark S. Drake, Elizabeth Burt

Staff Present:  Jamie Rabbitt, Director of Planning and Community Development

                                Mike Glidden, Assistant Town Planner

Appointment of Alternates:  Gary Lungarini (seated for Ron Locandro)

1.            Pledge of Allegiance

III.   APPROVAL OF MINUTES of April 25, 2017

Commissioner Leavitt-Smith made a motion to adopt minutes as presented. Commissioner Beum seconded the motion.

Five (5) members voted in favor of the motion and Commissioner Lungarini abstained, motion passed.

IV.   OLD BUSINESS

1.   Public Hearings

a.    None

2.            Applications

a.    None

V.            NEW BUSINESS

1.            Receipt of New Applications

a.            None

2.            Referrals

a.            CGS 8-3a Referral to the Zoning Commission on Zoning Commission Application #17-16 of Lisa Natcharian and Chris Milliard, Agents, for a proposed Text Amendment to Section 4.2 (Allowed Use Table) and Section 4.3.3 (Commercial Use Categories) of the Simsbury Center Code to create an additional Allowed Use titled “Small Event Center.”

Mr. Rabbitt explained the proposed text amendment to the commission and the Planning Commission role under statutes as it relates to the Town’s Plan of Conservation and Development and their review of the referral from the Zoning Commission. 

Commissioner Beum made a motion to make a positive recommendation to the Zoning Commission since the change was in line with elements of the Town’s POCD with regards to economic development and improvements to the Simsbury Center Zone.  Commissioner Leavitt-Smith seconded the motion.

All members voted in favor of the motion

b.            Referral from the Board of Selectmen regarding proposed FY 18 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)

The commission members discussed the merits of the proposed FY 18 CIP. 

Commissioner Rice made a motion to make a positive determination that the CIP is consistent with the goals and objectives of the 2007 POCD.  Commissioner Needham seconded the motion.

Five (5) members voted for the motion.  Commission Beum voted against the motion.  The motion passed 5-1.

VI.          GENERAL COMMISSION BUSINESS

1.            Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) – Discussion on Draft.

Glenn Chalder from Planimetrics reviewed the status of the draft POCD.  The Commission reviewed Sections 6 through Section 11.  The commission made various suggestions to Mr. Chalder with regards to modifying text and graphics.  Glenn reviewed the timing of the next steps and suggested that the Commission hold a public hearing on June 13, 2017.  The Commission discussed the possibility of moving the meeting date to June 20, 2017 if an appropriate venue is not available.

VII.         ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Leavitt-Smith made a motion to adjourn.  Commissioner Needham seconded the motion. All members voted in favor of the motion.  The meeting was adjourned at 9:32 pm.