07/06/2020 Zoning Commission Minutes
SIMSBURY ZONING COMMISSION
TOWN OF SIMSBURY
REGULAR MEETINGMINUTES - Subject to Vote of Approval
Monday, July 6, 2020 at 7:00 P.M.
Simsbury Town Hall - Main Meeting Room – Via Zoom
725 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT
PRESENT: Dave Ryan, Kevin Gray, Donna Beinstein, Bruce Elliott, Anne Erickson, Melissa Osborne, Diane Madigan, Shannon Knall, Melissa Osborne
ABSENT: Michael Doyle
ALSO PRESENT: Michael Glidden, CFM CZEO, Director of Planning and Community Development, Laura Barkowski, Land Use Specialist
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Ryan called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
II. ROLL CALL
1. Appointment of Alternates- Diane Madigan was appointed to sit or Michael Doyle.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES of the June 15, 2020 regular meetings
The following corrections were made:
• Line 32 – Should say Chairman Ryan returned; change where to were
• Line 75 – Meadow property is in Simsbury not North Simsbury
• Line 109 – Correction it was Donna Beinstein seconded the Motion to adjourn
Mr. Elliott made a comment that more discussion should be included within the minutes. Chairman Ryan indicated the purpose of Minutes is to record the vote.
Diane Madigan made a Motion made by to approve the Minutes of the June 15, 2020 Minutes as amended. Ms. Erickson Seconded; Motion passed 6-0-0
IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Application #20-07 of Richard Correira, Applicant; Grist Mill Partners, LLC; for a Special Exception pursuant to Article 7 Section J of Zoning Regulations to allow recreation uses for the premises located at 100 Grist Mill Road (G11-103-005-25), Zone I-2
This hearing is tabled per applicant request.
V. REGULATIONS UPDATE WORKSHOP
Chairman Ryan put together a handout to start the discussion on what needs to be addressed next.
Mr. Elliott inquired what happened to last set of the Zoning Regulations that was effective June 2020. It was also inquired if the Town Attorney read and approved the changes. It was indicated by Mr. Glidden that they were read and approved. Mr. Glidden indicated that the right version was uploaded upon his checking. Ms. Madigan indicated she saw the outdated version on the web as well. Mr. Glidden indicated that he will double check with staff and sort out any technical difficulties.
Chairman Ryan went back to the handout to discuss certain areas of the Zoning Regulations that need revisions. The main areas for discussion are as follows:
A. Planned Area Development
B. Sign Regulations
C. Workforce Overlay Housing Zone
D. Center Zone
E. Hartford/Simsbury Form Based Code
Chairman Ryan indicated that that the Zoning Commission should access the amount effort required in each area. Mr. Elliott discussed the economic impact on the Town of Simsbury with respect to the sign regulations and the Hartford/Simsbury Form Based Code. Mr. Elliott indicated that he feels that in the code as it stands now something within in is impairment to encouraging economic activity within that area versus the regular concern on the sign regulations. Mr. Elliott would like to adjust the form based code to encourage business.
Mr. Gray inquired if there is a proposal on the Hartford site. He would like to address the sign regulations.
Chairman Ryan inquired about the sign regulations and current case law and questioned if the Commission would want to address the LED and illuminated signs and if it something that could accomplished quickly.
Ms. Beinstein voiced agreement that the sign regulations may be the simplest to tackle as the other areas would be more complicated.
Ms. Madigan agrees that anything that would support economic development in the town but has also heard issues with the sign regulations.
Mr. Glidden expounded about the case law for from both US and CT Supreme Court cases indicated that the Town cannot regulate based on content or the users. He also inquired if they want to reopen the idea of the internally lit signs.
Ms. Erickson is in agreement in doing what should be done quickly but she does believe the signage should be done first.
Mr. Gray noted that the Commission should consider the two pieces of the signage regulations town wide zoning and center code. Chairman Ryan discussed the possibility of making them the same.
Mr. Glidden discussed preparing a comparison for the Commission between Center Code and Town wide regulations and summary of the court case and example of the those regulations look like.
Mr. Gray inquired if Mr. Glidden could provide the economic facts on the PAD developments and police records. Mr. Glidden indicated he could get property tax and school enrollment figures for the next meeting and would require more time for more update information on the developments.
Chairman Ryan discussed that the Hartford Form Based Code is turning into Planned Area of Developments and is mixed use sensible in this type of community rather than a more urban area. Mr. Gray inquired if we could get feedback from the developers pertaining to if the regulations work or do not and why. Mr. Glidden was tasked to contacting developers.
Chairman Ryan discussed the possibility of having other types of mixed use such as an agricultural uses. Ms. Beinstein discussed the integrating mixed use vertically rather than horizontally. Ms. Madigan indicated that the only real mixed use seems to result in housing.
Mr. Elliott discussed the development at Dorset Crossing and agrees with the idea of getting feedback from the developers. Chairman Ryan discussed the idea of putting some of the local professionals on the Agenda and get the feedback. The Commission appeared to be in agreement that they would like to feedback from the developers and businessman. Mr. Glidden also mentioned that the Industrial Zone regulations were something that he has received feedback on. Mr. Elliott discussed the inconsistencies between the Codes and Town wide regulations.
Chairman Ryan summarized that it seems the Commission is in agreement to take on the sign regulation and Staff will provide some facts and figures on where the Town stands.
Mr. Elliott inquired if all the developments required a Text Amendment application. Chairman Ryan indicated that seems to be accurate in the Center Zone. Ms. Elliot indicated a desire to revise Center Code to become more effective.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Gray made a Motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Elliott seconded. Passed unanimously 6-0-0
Submitted by:
Laura Barkowski
Acting Commission Clerk