Zoning Commission Minutes 04/25/2018 SPECIAL MEETING Sub-Committee Zoning Regulations Amendments
ZONING COMMISSION – Sub-Committee - Zoning Regulations Amendments
Special Meeting - April 25, 2018
SIMSBURY TOWN OFFICES – 5:00 P.M. Main Meeting Room
933 HOPMEADOW STREET, SIMSBURY, CONNECTICUT
I. CALL TO ORDER – The meeting was called to order at 5:05 pm.
II. ROLL CALL
Present: Sub-Committee Members: Michael Doyle, Bruce Elliott
Staff Present: James D. Rabbitt, Director of Planning and Community Development.
III. NEW BUSINESS
1. Discussion Zoning Regulations – potential amendment(s) Staff reviewed the purpose of the workshop, and used the minutes from March 1, 2018 subcommittee meeting as an outline.
1.0 Sample language (draft) was distributed for discussion purposes. The language was based on the March 1st meeting discussion, where there was consensus among the three sub-committee members to explore whether or not the process can be simplified (Article Ten, Section H of the Zoning Regulations regarding event planning). The sample language proposed revisions to the existing text to allow one day alcohol permits to be issued administratively when associated with a public gathering permit or temporary event permit. Discussion was held on the revised language.
2.0 Town-wide Zoning maps and aerials were reviewed for limits to the areas where the Town’s Workforce Housing Zone Regulations could be applied. The Committee reviewed and discussed prospective areas that would be most appropriate for this type of development. The committee discussed defining where the WHOZ could land. The group discussed setting a 3,000-foot zone east and west of Hopmeadow Street south of State Route 185 and a 2,000-foot zone east and west of Hopmeadow north of State Route 185. In addition to Hopmeadow Street, a 2,000-foot zone north and south of State Route 316 would also be established. The Committee asked staff to prepare a formal map from the discussion depicting the potential areas that would be subject to the WHOZ. Donna Beinstein and Thomas Frank (Alternate) joined the meeting at 5:30 – staff summarized/revisited the discussion held on items 1.0 and 2.0.
3.0 Discussion on PAD was tabled.
4.0 The Committee did not discuss Article Ten, Section C, Signs on Town Property since they had decided to table any further discussion of the matter at their March 1st meeting.
5.0 The Committee reviewed and discussed Article Seven, Section C - Accessory Apartments. Staff submitted sample language associated with limiting size, shared utilities and entrances. Sample language for in-law and caretaker apartments was also distributed as reference material. Mr. Frank questioned whether accessory apartments should be permitted at all. It was the consensus of the committee to not make a judgement on the validity of the regulation since they were only tasked with determining whether the regulations needed to be strengthened.
IV. Adjournment
The sub-committee adjourned at 6:28 P.M.
Submitted by
James D. Rabbitt, AICP, Director of Planning and Community Development