Zoning Commission Minutes 04/16/2018
Subject to Approval
Simsbury Zoning Commission
TOWN OF SIMSBURY
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Monday, April 16, 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, Thomas Frank, and Gavin Schwartz
ABSENT: None
ALSO PRESENT: Michael Glidden CFM CZEO, Assistant Town Planner and James Rabbitt AICP, Director of Planning
I. CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman Ryan called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM
II. ROLL CALL:
1. Appointment of Alternates.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – April 2, 2018 REGULAR MEETING:
MOTION: Mr. Elliott made a motion to approve the minutes as submitted, Mr. Doyle seconded the motion. Motion massed unanimously.
IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. 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.
M.Glidden presented the proposed changes to the zoning regulations pertaining to flood plain management.
Chairman Ryan requested clarification to the section dealing with unnumbered A zones and the elevation of 160. M.Glidden explained that the elevation of 160 was associated with a design base flood elevation which is no longer used for flood elevation determinations. M.Glidden discussed what it meant for a watercourse to be designated as unnumbered a zone.
Chairman Ryan asked if any other members or the public had questions for M.Glidden.
Motion: Mr. Gray made a motion to close the public hearing. Mr. Doyle seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The public hearing closed at 7:20pm.
V. OLD BUSINESS:
1. Applications.
a. 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. (decision must be rendered within 65 days of closing public hearing)
J.Rabbitt provided the commission with a staff report concerning the proposed text amendments.
Motion: Mr. Doyle made to approve application 18-15 with an effective date of April 30,2018. Ms. Battos seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
b. 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 of the LRC Group presented the revised plans to the group. He asked if any members had questions concerning the changes discussed at the last meeting.
Mr. Elliot asked for clarification to the surface treatment of the walkway. Henry Thomas explained the change to the area
J.Rabbitt presented to the Commission his staff report with draft motion for approval.
Motion: Mr. Gray made a motion to approve Application 18-16 subject to the conditions contained within the staff report from J. Rabbitt. Mr. Elliot seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
VI. NEW BUSINESS:
1. Receipt of New Applications
a. Application #18-17 of Douglas Hope, DMD, Owner, for a Site Plan Amendment for 8 Plank Hill Road (Assessor’s Map G10, Block 202, Lot 018). Zone SC-1. (to be received 04/16/2018; decision must be rendered by 06/20/2018)
J.Rabbitt reported that an application has been received by the Commission for the conversion of second floor space at 8 Plank Hill Road into an apartment. He stated that the public informational sign has just been posted and recommended the commission table the application to the next meeting.
Motion: Mr. Gray made a motion to table application 18-17 to the next meeting of the Zoning Commission. Mr. Doyle seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
b. Application #18-18 of Matthew Wittmer, Phase Zero Design Inc., Agent; E & A/ I & G Simsbury Commons Limited Partnership, Owner; for a Site Plan Amendment for Stop & Shop façade improvements on the property located at 498 Bushy Hill Road (Assessor’s Map B20, Block 508, Lot 001-B). Zone B-3. (to be received 04/16/2018; decision must be rendered by 06/20/2018)
J.Rabbitt reported the application was reviewed by the Design Review Board however they did not act on this application. Staff recommends that the commission table the application until Design Review Board acts on this request.
Motion: Mr. Gray to table application 18-18 to the next regular meeting of the Zoning Commission. Ms. Beinstein seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
c. Application #18-19 of Kelly Holmes, Agent; Robert Holloway, Owner; for a Sign Permit for Revive Boutique Consignment on the property located at 1384 Hopmeadow Street (Assessor’s Map I05, Block 439, Lot 004D). Zone B-2. (to be received 04/16/2018; decision must be rendered by 06/20/2018)
J. Rabbitt reported that Design Review Board gave a favorable recommendation for the replacement sign. He stated the sign was consistent with the unified sign plan for the site.
Motion: Mr. Elliott made a motion to approve application 18-19. Mr. Doyle seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
d. Application #18-20 of T. J. Donohue, Agent; Simsbury Free Library, Owner; for a Site Plan Amendment for the addition of a patio and memorial plaques on the property located at 749 Hopmeadow Street (Assessor’s Map G10, Block 203, Lot 002). Zone SC-1. (to be received 04/16/2018; decision must be rendered by 06/20/2018)
Attorney Donohue presented the proposed site plan to the Commission for the construction of a memorial plaque in honor of Martin Luther King at the Simsbury Free Library.
J.Rabbitt reported to the Commission that the public informational sign was just posted and recommended tabling the application.
Motion: Mr. Gray made a motion to table application 18-20 to the next regular meeting of the Zoning Commission. Mr. Doyle seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
e. Application #18-21 of Gail Korten, Agent; Robert Sturgis, Owner; for a Sign Permit for Second Chance Shop on the property located at 12 Station Street (Assessor’s Map H10, Block 2015, Lot 001). Zone SC-3. (to be received 04/16/2018; decision must be rendered by 06/20/2018)
J.Rabbitt informed the commission that the sign replacement was reviewed by the Design Review Board and a favorable recommendation was made for the work.
VII. GENERAL COMMISSION BUSINESS:
1. Correspondence
2. Preliminary Discussion
a. 690 Hopmeadow Street – Ensign Mansion
Mark Scully, property owner of 690 Hopmeadow Street, presented preliminary plans for renovations to the existing structure. Mr. Scully reviewed the plans with the Commission for the conversion of the first floor of the structure into a restaurant and 5 apartments (in the second and third floors of the mansion). Mr. Scully reviewed the scope of work associated with some exterior improvements which are planned.
Chairman Ryan thanked Mr. Scully for information. Mr. Scully explained that a formal application will be submitted to the Commission for the May 21 meeting.
3. Zoning Regulations – amendments
a. General
J.Rabbitt mentioned to the Commission that a second meeting would be scheduled for the subcommittee to meet and discuss regulations.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT:
MOTION: Mr. Gray, seconded by Mr. Doyle, to adjourn at 8:05 PM. The motion was unanimously approved.
Submitted by
Michael Glidden CFM CZEO
Assistant Town Planner