02/06/2023 Zoning Commission Minutes

Meeting Date: February 6, 2023
ZONING COMMISSION
TOWN OF SIMSBURY
REGULAR MEETING
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2023 at 7:00 P.M.
PRESENT: Bruce Elliott, Kevin Gray, Anne Erickson, Melissa Osborne, Jackie Battos and Tucker Salls

ALSO PRESENT: Planning and Community Development Director George McGregor and Code Compliance Officer Laura Barkowski

I. CALL TO ORDER: Mr. Gray called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
- January 18, 2023 – Line 39 – switch horse and mounted
MOTION: Mr. Elliott moved to approve the January 18, 2023 Minutes as corrected.
Ms. Battos seconded the motion.
VOTE: motion passed, Gray – aye; Elliott – aye; Battos – aye; Salls – aye, 4-0-2

III. PUBLIC HEARINGS

IV. NEW BUSINESS

1. Application ZC #23-03 of Vessel RE Holdings, LLC, Applicant, EAY Properties, LLC, Owner, for a site plan for construction of a 14,063 sq. ft., 80-unit multi-family development, at 446 Hopmeadow Street. (Assessor’s Map G13, Block 142, Lot 003C) Simsbury, CT 06070. Zone R-15.

Attorney Peter Alter of Alter & Pearson in Glastonbury presented this application as in compliance with the affordable housing statute. Parking spaces and wetland considerations were discussed by Attorney Alter. Seamus Moran of H&H Engineering presented an overview of this site plan including storm water management/treatment and additional soil testing. Mark Vertucci of Fuss & O’Neill discussed the traffic impact study that was conducted for this site and suggested breaking the double yellow line at the site for left-handed turns in and out of the site.

Tom Graceffa presented the landscape plan for this project. Josh Levy of Vessel RE Holdings, LLC discussed landscaping of other previous projects they worked on and discussed how they use that information to landscape this project. Mr. Levy also discussed parking spaces and the intention for the other parcel. Mr. Levy also gave a background of his business and how his experience has helped develop this project. Mr. Levy also discussed the materials used and the efficiencies that the units will have.

The Commission inquired about the traffic patterns and anticipated peak hour traffic, the anticipated number of bike racks, existing trees, flooding, privacy from the biking trail, fencing, fire truck accessibility, the lack of balconies, color of the façade, outdoor space for the residents and the connectivity of the modules. The Commission requested samples of the materials.

V. OLD BUSINESS

VI. GENERAL COMMISSION BUSINESS

1. POCD update – the results will be posted online. Staff would like to discuss with the Commission the implementation of the POCD.
2. No report was received by the Silverman Group.

VII. ADJOURNMENT: The Commission moved to adjourn this meeting at 8:44 p.m.
VOTE: motion passed unanimously, 6-0-0

Respectfully submitted,
Jackie Lachance
Commission Clerk