Planning Commission Minutes 10/09/2018

PLANNING COMMISSION-REGULAR MEETING

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2018 MINUTES – SUBJECT TO VOTE OF APPROVAL

SIMSBURY TOWN OFFICES-MAIN MEETING ROOM-7:00 PM

933 HOPMEADOW STREET, SIMSBURY, CONNECTICUT

I.             CALL TO ORDER- Meeting was called to order at 7:04pm.

1.            Pledge of Allegiance

II.            ROLL CALL

Present: William Rice, Erin Leavitt-Smith, Holly Beum, Richard Cortes

Absent: Alan Needham, Craig MacCormac, David Blume  Alternate Members: Elizabeth Burt, Gary Lungarini

Staff Present: Michael Glidden, Director of Planning & Community Development

III.           APPROVAL OF MINUTES of the September 11, 2018 regular meeting

Motion: Chairman Rice made a motion to approve the September 11, 2018 minutes as submitted (following a spelling correction from line 44). The motion passed unanimously.

IV.          OLD BUSINESS

1.            Public Hearings

a.            None

2.            Applications

a.            None

3.            Referrals

a.            CGS 8-3a Referral to the Zoning Commission for Zoning Commission Application #18-46 of John Galvin, Applicant, for a Text Amendment to Article 7, Section I, of the Simsbury Zoning Regulations regarding vehicle repair facilities in the I-1 Zone.

(public hearing scheduled for 11/19/2018)

Real Estate Developer John Galvin was present to discuss his application for a Text Amendment.  Galvin withdrew his initial application for a use variance and applied for a Text Amendment. He stated that his possible tenant, a vehicle repairman, would use Galvin’s property solely as a repair facility and not for vehicle sales or outside storage.

Galvin stated that if his Text Amendment is approved, it would benefit the community substantially.

Chairman Rice discussed the possibility of environmental concerns, and Galvin responded that safety and pollution are his utmost concern. He added that the Fire Marshal would also be required to do a complete inspection prior to business opening.

Commissioner Beum stated that such a business would bring economic development to the community; and that, as long as the repair shop operates under the rules of the POCD, then Galvin’s request should be granted.

Chairman Rice made a motion for a positive referral to the Zoning Commission for Application #18-46. The motion passed unanimously.

b.            CGS 8-3a Referral to the Zoning Commission for Zoning Commission Application #18-51  of Michael Glidden, CFM, CZEO, Director of Planning & Community Development, Applicant on behalf of the Simsbury Zoning Commission, for a Text Amendment to Article Seven, Section B.7, and Article Seven, Section C.9, of the Simsbury Zoning Regulations regarding accessory dwelling units. (public hearing scheduled for 11/19/2018)

Michael Glidden discussed the proposal for new regulations, as they relate to attached and unattached dwelling units.

The committee agreed with all proposals, with the exception of the full visual screening for off street parking. Commissioners Beum, Leavitt-Smith, Cortes, and Chairman Rice expressed concerns that this rule would impose hardship on owners. Leavitt-Smith said that she would not support the one-car screening mandate.

Commissioner Cortes suggested making a positive referral, with the exception of section J(screening of additional vehicles). He suggested a one vehicle waiver for tenants of accessory dwelling units.

Chairman Rice mentioned that section J of the proposal is not consistent with the POCD.

Rice made the motion for a positive referral to the Zoning Commission for Application #18-51, with the exception of 7 G 1 J. The motion passed unanimously.

c.             CGS 8-3a Referral to the Zoning Commission for Zoning Commission Application #18-52 of Robin Newton, Code Compliance Officer, Applicant on behalf of the Simsbury Zoning Commission, for a Text Amendment to Article Ten, Section H.6, of the Simsbury Zoning Regulations regarding temporary liquor permits. (public hearing scheduled for 11/19/2018)

Robin Newton, Code Compliance Officer (not present), applied for a Text Amendment to Article Ten of the Simsbury Zoning Regulations, stating that temporary liquor permits should be granted to businesses or agencies as long as they do not exceed 15 events per calendar year.

Michael Glidden stated that businesses requesting temporary licenses will not require a public hearing, as long as they have 15 or fewer events per year. And, if approved, businesses can auto-renew with the Zoning Commission the next year: no meetings would be required.

Chairman Rice stated that the request and its implications are consistent with the POCD.  Rice made a motion to pass.  The motion unanimously passed for a positive referral to the Zoning Commission for Application #18-52.

d.            CGS 8-3a Referral to the Zoning Commission for Zoning Commission Application #18-58 of Mark Greenberg, Agent; Betty Fiorna, Owner; for a Zone Change from R-40 to B-3 on the property located on the northerly side of Albany Turnpike on the border of Simsbury and Canton (shown as Assessors’ Map A20, Block 503, Lot 002-A). Zone R-40. (public hearing scheduled for 11/19/2018)

Michael Glidden stated that the applicant would like to be present for the discussion of Application #18-58, but could not attend this evening.

Chairman Rice made the motion to postpone to October 23, 2018. The motion passed unanimously.

V.            NEW BUSINESS

1.            Receipt of New Applications

a.            None

VI.          GENERAL COMMISSION BUSINESS

1.            Proposed 2019 Planning Meeting Calendar

Chairman Rice made a motion to adopt the new dates for the 2019 commission schedule.

Motion passed unanimously.

2.            Glidden discussed potential applications for conventional subdivisions in the West Mountain Road area in the near future.

VII.         ADJOURNMENT

Motion was made by Chairman Rice to adjourn the meeting at 8:32 pm. The motion passed unanimously.

Submitted by

Tammy Marzucca

Commissions Clerk