Zoning Commission Minutes 03-02-2020

SIMSBURY ZONING COMMISSION
TOWN OF SIMSBURY
REGULAR MEETING/WORKSHOP MINUTES - Subject to Vote of Approval
Monday, March 2, 2020 at 7 P.M.
Simsbury Town Hall - Main Meeting Room
725 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT

PRESENT: Dave Ryan, Kevin Gray, Donna Beinstein, Michael Doyle, Bruce Elliott, Anne Erickson, Diane Madigan (arrived at 7:02 P.M.)
ABSENT: Melissa Osborne, Shannon Knall

ALSO PRESENT: Michael Glidden, CFM CZEO, Director of Planning and Community Development

I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Ryan called the meeting to order at 7:00
P.M.

II. ROLL CALL
1. Appointment of Alternates- n/a

III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

At 7:03 P.M., Mr. Gray made a motion to approve the February 3, 2020 meeting minutes with the following edits:

Line 46: should read “There are also plans for education”
Line 81: add quotation marks to the words “Exit” and “Thank You for
visiting Simsbury Farms.”
Line 118: Add quotations to “Culture Parks Recreation.”

Mr. Doyle seconded the motion and motion passed unanimously, 6-0.

At 7:05 P.M., Mr. Gray made a motion to approve the February 10, 2020 meeting
minutes with the following edits:

Line 29: change the word has to had, so that the line reads “meeting had
been incorporated within the copy of the draft regulations provided on
February 7th.”
Line 35: add the word on, so that the sentence reads “Addition of the
restriction that the Home Occupation should have no effect on the neighborhood traffic.”

Motion seconded by Mr. Doyle, and motion passed unanimously, 6-0.

IV. REGULATION UPDATE WORKSHOP

Mr. Glidden provided regulation changes, and notes they are updated on drop box. Mr. Glidden printed the pages of what has been updated so far for the Commissioners to review.

Discussion ensued about the placement of the key on page 8. The Commission felt it should be at the top of each page, Mr. Glidden noted that it will be placed there, once the pages are reworked.

The Commission reviewed the changes made on pages 13 & 14 to Home Based Service Business and page 54 to Uses permitted in an HOD Zone.

The Commission reviewed changes made on page 72 to the General Requirements for Non-Agriculturally Related Uses, specifically, #7, Approval for operation of a child care facility such as summer day camp, is not subject to this section of the regulations, it is allowed as a right (it will come in as a special exception).

Site Plan Application Requirements were reviewed (page 83) and discussed by the Commission and Mr. Glidden. It was clarified that all plans should be submitted in a PDF digital format. This ensures that it is able to be opened.

Mr. Glidden reviewed the changes made on page 86. Language was added to subsection 13.3. It was in regards to waivers.

Home Based Service Business definition, on page 109, was discussed. It was suggested that the definition of Home Based Service Business should read: “A business operated out of one’s residence that provides personal and other service directly to clients, which is clearly incidental to the use of the dwelling unit for residential purposes.”
Discussion ensued whether a “percentage”, or “percentage not to exceed” should be added to the definition defining what incidental means. Mr. Glidden noted that if a percentage is not added to the definition, it will be important to request detailed floor plans illustrating area to be used for Home Based Service Businesses. Discussion ensued about what kind of language other surrounding towns use. The Commission requests that the town Attorney look at the regulations, as edited for the Home Based Occupations, and to give feedback and recommendations.
Mr. Glidden suggested adding a definition of what a bed and breakfast is, so that it is separate than a home occupation.

Discussion ensued about Short Term Rentals. Topics discussed were the definitions of Family, Boarding House, and individuals renting rooms.

Mr. Glidden noted that he will compose and package the changes made. A final draft copy will be uploaded by next Monday to Dropbox. Any further comments will be addressed at the next meeting.
Public Hearing to be scheduled for April 20, 2020, with the legal ad being run April 1, 2020. Then it will be referred to the Planning Commission and the Council of Governments the second meeting, March 24, 2020.

V. ADJOURNMENT

At 8:03 P.M., Mr. Doyle made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting. Motion
was seconded by Mr. Gray and the motion passed unanimously, 6-0.

Submitted by:

Kimberly Rathbun
Commission Clerk