Zoning Commission Minutes 02/06/2017

Town of Simsbury Zoning Commission

Monday February 6, 2017 at 7:00pm

Simsbury Town Hall – Main Meeting Room

933 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT

Regular Meeting

Minutes Subject to Vote of Approval

I.             Call To Order:   The meeting was called to order at 7:00pm. 

II.            Roll Call:  Members present were:  Chair David Ryan, Gerald Post, Kevin Gray, Donna Beinstein, Jacqueline Battos, alternate Michael Doyle, and alternate Thomas Kyzivat.  Director of Planning and Community Development, James Rabbitt, and Assistant Town Planner, Michael Glidden, were also present. 

•             Appointment of Alternates:  Michael Doyle was seated for absent member Derek Peterson.

III.           Approval of Minutes – December 19, 2016 Regular Meeting:  The Commission approved the December 19, 2017 Regular Minutes as written.

IV.          Public Hearings:  No public hearings were scheduled

V.            Old Business:

1.            Applications:  No applications under Old Business

VI.          New Business:

a.            Application #17-01 of Robert Bylykbashi, Agent; Twenty-Two G. C. Owner; for a Special Exception pursuant to Article Ten, Section H, of the Town of Simsbury Zoning Regulations for a liquor permit at the restaurant on the property located at 836 Hopmeadow Street (Assessor’s Map H09, Block 227, Lot 001A + 1B ).  Zones SC-3 and SC-4.  (To be received 02/02/2017; public hearing must be opened by 04/12/2017):  Kevin Gray moved to set the public hearing for Application #17-01 for Monday, March 6 at 7:00.  Jackie Battos seconded.  The vote passed unanimously.

b.            Application #17-02 of Barbara Foley, Agent; Robert Patricelli, Owner; for a Special Exception pursuant to Article Ten, Section H, of the Town of Simsbury Zoning Regulations for a temporary liquor permit for a one-day event on the property located at 79 Hartford Road (Assessor’s Map G15, Block 110, Lot 012)/  Zone R-40.  (To be received 02/06/2017; Public Hearing must be opened by 04/12/ 2017):  Kevin Gray moved to schedule the Public Hearing for Application #17-02 for Monday, March 6 at 7:00.  Jackie Battos seconded.  The vote passed unanimously.

c.             Application #17-03 of LADA, P.C. Land Planners, Agent; Simsbury Cemetery Association, Inc., Owner; for a Site Plan Approval for the installation of a columbarium wall and pavilion on the property located at Plank Hill Road (Assessor’s Map G09, Block 203, Lot 044, spanning between Library Lane and Plank Hill Road behind and adjacent to the property located at 755 Hopmeadow Street).  Zone R-40.  (To be received 02/06/2017; decision must be rendered by 04/12/2017): Staff recommended the Commission table the application until Town Engineer, Jeff Shea, and Assistant Planner, Michael Glidden, can provide additional information.  Terri Hahn was present and gave a presentation to the Commission.  Ms. Hahn presented maps of the area where the columbarium wall and pavilion would be constructed.  The plan calls for a retaining wall, flattening of a nearby slope, and the addition of an open air pavilion.  Chair David Ryan asked what the capacity of the columbarium will be. It will be 600 units and will last about 10 years.  Gerald Post asked how large the pavilion will be.  It will have a 31 foot diameter and be 23 feet high at the dome.  The space between the walls could eventually be used for burials.  Chair David Ryan asked what the time frame for construction is.  As soon as the Cemetery Association receives approval they will start to build.  The project is already funded.  Kevin Gray asked if the Commission had approved the existing mausoleum.  The Commission did, and two more could be set up; the association anticipates building one.  Donna Beinstein moved to table Application #17-03 until the March 6 meeting.  Michael Doyle seconded.  The vote passed unanimously.

VII.         General Commission Business:

1.            Discussion of New and Ongoing Projects:

a.            WHOZ Moratorium:  James Rabbitt questioned whether under the Work Force Housing Moratorium a previously-approved project could apply for a change to their Site Plan associated with changing housing type.   This is pertaining to the Hoskins Road development.  The development would like to decrease the number of apartments and increase the number of single or attached houses.  The Zoning Regulations do not allow anyone to submit to modify the Moratorium language.  Mr. Rabbitt suggested that Staff prepare that language and run it by Town Counsel.  This would allow for modifications from the Commission.  Gerald Post was not in favor of a change in the Moratorium, since the developer was asked several times about the apartment buildings.  Chair David Ryan commented everyone in the community is concerned about the number of apartments that were planned and removing some would be favorable to the community.  Jackie Battos was in favor of getting Counsel’s opinion on the matter.  Kevin Gray moved to allow Staff to work with Counsel to discuss the possibility of submitting an application for an amendment to the existing Moratorium and schedule a Public Hearing on March 6.  Michael Doyle seconded.  The vote passed unanimously.

b.            Zoning Regulations revisions:  General Discussion:  Director James Rabbitt discussed requirements of Zoning Codes with the Commission.

VIII.        Adjournment:  Michael Doyle moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:27pm.  Donna Beinstein seconded.  The meeting adjourned.

Recorded By:

Kimberly Cyr, Clerk

Simsbury Zoning Commission