Zoning Commission Minutes 04/02/2018

Subject to Approval

Simsbury Zoning Commission

TOWN OF SIMSBURY

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

Monday, April 2, 2018 at 7:00PM

Simsbury Town Hall – Main Meeting Room

933 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, Connecticut

PRESENT:              Dave Ryan, Kevin Gray, Bruce Elliott, Michael Doyle, Jackie Battos, Donna Beinstein     

                                Alternate Joseph Campolieta, Gavin Schwartz

ABSENT:               Alternate Thomas Frank

ALSO PRESENT:  Michael Glidden CFM CZEO, Assistant Town Planner

I. CALL TO ORDER:

Chairman Ryan called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM

II. ROLL CALL:

1.  Appointment of Alternates.

Chairman Ryan welcomed Gavin Schwartz as a new alternate member to the Zoning Commission.

III.           APPOINTMENT TO DESIGN REVIEW BOARD

1.            Appointment of Elaine Lang to fill vacancy

Motion: Mr. Gray made a motion, seconded by Mr. Doyle, to appoint Elaine Lang to fill a vacancy as a regular member of the Design Review Board. The motion passed unanimously.

IV.   APPROVAL OF MINUTES – February 19, 2018 REGULAR MEETING:

MOTION: Mr. Elliott, Mr. Gray second, to approve minutes with a change to date from 2017 to 2018; Motion massed unanimously.

V. PUBLIC HEARINGS:

1.            Application #18-12 of Bryan Doerr and Joshua Bodian, Up Top Barbershop, Agents; Nadir Lamaj, Owner; for a Special Exception pursuant to Article Ten, Section C.3.i, of the Town of Simsbury Zoning Regulations for an amendment to the unified sign plan for signage for Up Top Barbershop on the property located at 244 Farms Village Road (Assessor’s Map C10, Block 418, Lot 016). Zone B-3. (public hearing scheduled for 04/02/2018)

Bryan Doerr and Joshua Bodian presented to the Commission the application for modification to the unified sign plan for the property located at 244 Old Farms Road. Mr. Doerr and Mr. Bodian explained to the Commission that the new sign has already been installed at this location and that they were not aware of the issues. The new sign was an increase in size from the approved sign for the tenant location. The sign was a replacement to the one for the previous tenant.

Mr. Elliott noted that the Zoning Regulations require a special exception for the increase of signage beyond what is permitted. When such a request is made, the applicant needs to demonstrate the peculiar nature of the site and how the additional signage is required.

Mr. Lamaj, the property owner, stated he preferred that all the signs for the location are uniform in size. Granting the approval would match the other signs’ sizes. He thought that would look better with signs that all the same size similar to Holloways Plaza Hopmeadow Street.

Mr. Glidden reviewed the site history and regulations with the Commission.

Mr. Elliott stated he felt that a special exception was not required for the application instead a site plan amendment is required.

Chairman Ryan asked if there were any further comments.

Motion: Mr. Gray made a motion to close the public hearing which was seconded by Mr. Doyle. The Motion passed unanimously. The public hearing was closed at 7:20 pm.

V1.  OLD BUSINESS:

1.  Applications.

a. Application #18-12 of Bryan Doerr and Joshua Bodian, Up Top Barbershop, Agents; Nadir Lamaj, Owner; for a Special Exception pursuant to Article Ten, Section C.3.i, of the Town of Simsbury Zoning Regulations for an amendment to the unified sign plan for signage for Up Top Barbershop on the property located at 244 Farms Village Road (Assessor’s Map C10, Block 418, Lot 016). Zone B-3. (public hearing scheduled for 04/02/2018)

Motion: Ms. Battos made a motion to approve application 18-12, seconded by Mr. Doyle. Approval of the special exception was subject to the following conditions:

1.            An administrative zoning permit is required to legalize the existing sign.

2.            A revised table which documents sizes of all signage for property is to be submitted for issuance of a zoning permit.

3.            Total area of signage is not to exceed 308 sq ft.

The motion passed unanimously. 

b. Application #18-14 of McLean Affiliates Inc., Owner, for a Site Plan Amendment for modifications to the courtyard on the property located at 75 Great Pond Road (Assessor’s Map E08, Block 147, Lot 001). Zone R-40. (received 03/05/2018; decision must be rendered by 05/09/2018)

Brian Deno LS presented the application for site plan amendment for the courtyard improvements at 75 Great Pond Road. Mr. Deno reviewed with the Commission the scope of improvements which are planned for the site along with changes that were made to the originally submitted plans.

Mr. Elliott asked whether the comments made by the Town Engineer were incorporated in the new submission. Mr. Deno explained that all comments were addressed.

Motion: Mr. Gray made a motion to approve Application 18-14, application for site plan amendment for modifications to the courtyard on the property located at 75 Great Pond Road, seconded by Ms. Beinstein. The site plan amendment is subject to the following conditions of approval:

1.            An administrative zoning permit is required for the courtyard improvements and construction of the structures.

2.            Final plans are to be signed and stamped by Professional Engineer for issuance of an administrative zoning permit.

3.            A pre-construction meeting is required with the Zoning Enforcement Officer prior to the start of site work.

4.            The Zoning Commission authorizes staff on behalf of them to approve minor modifications to the approved plans such as changes to grading and/or landscaping. Said requests for changes are to be made in writing and approved by Planning Department staff prior to implementation in the field.

The motion was approved unanimously.

c. Application #18-15 of Michael Glidden, CFM, Assistant Town Planner, for Text  Amendments to the Town of Simsbury Zoning Regulations to Sections of the Regulations pertaining to flood management: Article 4, Section B (Definitions); Article Seven, Sections M.2-7; and Article Twelve.

Motion: Mr. Gray made a motion to table application 18-15. The motion was seconded by Mr. Doyle. The motion passed unanimously. 

VI. NEW BUSINESS:

1.            Receipt of New Applications.

a.            Application #18-16 of Henry Thomas, RGA, The LRC Group, Agent; St. Mary’s Church Corporation, Owner; for a Site Plan Amendment for the addition to St.Mary’s on the properties located at 940 Hopmeadow Street (Assessor’s Map H09, Block 227, Lot 001); 942 Hopmeadow Street (Assessor’s Map H09, Block 227, Lot 001); 944 Hopmeadow Street (Assessor’s Map H09, Block 227, Lot 002); 946 Hopmeadow Street (Assessor’s Map H08, Block 227, Lot 002); 948 Hopmeadow Street (Assessor’s Map H09, Block 227, Lot 002); and 950 Hopmeadow Street (Assessor’s Map H09, Block 227, Lot 002). Zone SC-1. 

Henry Thomas and Hugh Pearson presented the application for site plan amendment for St. Mary’s Church and School to the Commission. The changes to the approved site plan were discussed with the Commission.

M. Glidden informed the commission that the applicant needed to post public informational sign at the property and that the commission should table the application until 4/16/2018. He asked that if the Commission had any comments for the applicant that they provide input to the applicant tonight so that if need to address changes to the plan then they can be prepared for 4/16/2018.

Motion: Mr. Gray made a motion to table application 18-16 to 04/16/2018, seconded by Mr. Doyle. The motion was approved unanimously.

VII. GENERAL COMMISSION BUSINESS:

1.            Correspondence.

2.            Zoning Regulations - amendments

M. Glidden had no updates on either agenda item for the Commission.

VIII. ADJOURNMENT:

MOTION:  Mr. Gray, seconded by Mr. Doyle, to adjourn at 8:00 PM. The motion was unanimously approved.

Submitted by

Michael Glidden CFM CZEO

Assistant Town Planner