Zoning Commission Minutes 12/03/2018
SIMSBURY ZONING COMMISSION
TOWN OF SIMSBURY
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES – Subject to Vote of Approval
Monday, December 3, 2018 at 7 P.M.
Simsbury Town Hall – Main Meeting Room
933 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT
PRESENT: Dave Ryan, Bruce Elliott, Donna Beinstein, Kevin Gray, Jackie Battos, Michael Doyle,
Alternate: Joseph Campolieta
ALSO PRESENT: Michael Glidden, CFM CZEO, Director of Planning and Community Development
Robin Newton, CZEO, Code Compliance Officer
I. CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman Ryan called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
II. ROLL CALL:
1. Appointment of Alternates.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: November 19, 2018 Regular meeting
Chairman Ryan informed the Commission that the meeting minutes will be revised and reviewed, and submitted for approval at the next regular meeting.
IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. Application # 18-59 of Joel D. Weisman and Gerald Roismen, Agents; 241-245 Hopmeadow Street, LLC, Owner; for a Zone Change from I-2 to B-3 on the property located at 241-245 Hopmeadow Street (Assessors Map F16, Block 116, Lot 003B).
Mr. Meehan, Meehan & Goodin, Engineers – Surveyors, P.C., appeared on behalf of Joel D. Weisman and Gerald Roismen, Agents of property located at 241-245 Hopmeadow Street. Mr. Meehan presented the application for a zone change request for the property and explained why the property would be better suited for a B-3 zone, so that it could potentialy be used as a medical arts office building.
Commission members asked questions about the property and the abutting properties and inquired what types of businesses would be best suited for this property.
Chairman Ryan asked if any members of the public wished to speak. No one came forward.
Motion: Mr. Gray made a motion to close the public hearing. Ms. Battos seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously; 6-0, the public hearing was closed.
2. Application #18-61 of Scott Brace, PDS Engineering & Construction, Agent; Dyno Nobel, Inc., Owner; for a Special Exception pursuant to Article Seven, Section M.7.b, of the Town of Simsbury Zoning Regulations for the filling and grading in the floodplain on the property located at 640 Hopmeadow Street (Assessor’s Map G11, Block 132, Lot 052). Zone I-2.
Scott Brace, PDS Engineering and Construction, appeared on behalf of Dyno Nobel, Inc., to present the application for a Special Exception for filling and grading in the floodplain. Mr. Brace presented the loading dock expansion plans.
Ed Bernier, a carpenter who works for Dyno Nobel, described the fabrication that takes on premises.
Mr. Glidden noted that staff recommends approval of this application.
Chairman Ryan asked if any members of the public would like to speak. No one came forward.
Motion: Mr. Gray made a motion to close the public hearing. Motion was seconded by Mr. Elliott. Motion passed unanimously; 6-0. Public hearing was closed.
3. Application # 18-63 of Brennan White, Kaestle Boos Architects, Agent; Town of Simsbury, Owner, for a Special Exception pursuant to Article Seven, Section A.4 for alterations and additions to Henry James Memorial School on the property located at 155 Firetown Road (being located on the west side of the Firetown Road between Simscroft Road and Branch Brook Drive). Zone R-15.
Mr. Adam Kessler, Engineer with the Town of Simsbury, on behalf of the Board of Education, presented the application for Special Exception. Mr. Kessler requested that the public hearing be continued, so they may have time to address staff comments regarding this project. Mr. Kessler introduced two associates of Kaestle Boos Associates to present the project to the Commission.
Mr. Brennan White, Landscape Architect for Kaestle Boos Associates, presented and discussed plans for alterations and additions to the Henry James Memorial School. He showed plans to add a media center and a courtyard to the existing property. Mr. White also showed the Commission improvements to be made to the site, including parking, walkways and landscape esthetics. Mr. White addressed concerns on drainage, traffic, security and time frame for completion and construction.
Ms. Amy Morrow, Architect for Kaestle Boos Associates, presented the changes to be made to the school, noting new construction and additions. Ms. Morrow answered questions from the Commission about how the how the old and new parts of the school will connect. Ms. Morrow explained the phases of construction to the Commission and discussed the timeline for completion. Ms. Morrow also pointed out which parts of the building would be air conditioned and made note that the entire building would be equipped with sprinklers.
Mr. White showed elevations and illustrations showing what the school, courtyard, and grounds will look like upon completion.
Mr. Glidden recommended the Commission make the applicant aware of any concerns they have regarding the project, so the applicant can address them.
Motion: Mr. Gray made a motion to continue the public hearing for application #18-63 to the next regular meeting, December 17, 2018. Mr. Doyle seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously; 6-0.
V. OLD BUSINESS:
1. Application #18-59 of Joel D. Weisman and Gerald Roismen, Agents; 241-245 Hopmeadow Street, LLC, Owner; for a Zone Change from I-2 to B-3 on the property located at 241-245 Hopmeadow Street (Assessor’s Map F16, Block 116, Lot 003B).
Motion: Mr. Gray made a motion to approve Application #18-59 of Joel D. Weisman and Gerald Roismen, Agents; 241-245 Hopmeadow Street, LLC, Owner; for a Zone Change from I-2 to B-3 on the property located at 241-245 Hopmeadow Street. Approval is based on map illustrating zone change titled, “241-245 Hopmeadow Street LLC Zone Change Application Plan,” prepared by Meehan and Goodin, dated October 04, 2018.
The effective date for the change is Thursday, December 27, 2018.
Motion was seconded by Ms. Beinstein. Motion passed unanimously; 6-0.
2. Application #18-61 of Scott Brace, PDS Engineering & Construction, Agent; Dyno Nobel, Inc., Owner; for a Special Exception pursuant to Article Seven, Section M.7.b, of the Town of Simsbury Zoning Regulations for the filling and grading in the floodplain on the property located at 640 Hopmeadow Street (Assessor’s Map G11, Block 132, Lot 052) Zone I-2.
Motion: Mr. Elliott made a motion to approve Application #18-61 of Scott Brace, PDS Engineering & Construction, Agent; Dyno Nobel, Inc., Owner; for a Special Exception pursuant to Article Seven, Section M.7.b, of the Town of Simsbury Zoning Regulations for the filling and grading in the floodplain on the property located at 640 Hopmeadow Street.
The Special Exception approval is subject to the following conditions:
A. Administrative zoning permit is required for construction activities.
B. On site pre-construction meeting is required with ZEO and floodplain manager prior to start of construction activities.
C. Any changes which involve additional work within the floodplain require approval from the Zoning Commission.
Motion was seconded by Ms. Beinstein. Motion passed unanimously; 6-0.
3. Application #18-62 of Milton Gregory Grew, AIA, Architect, Agent; Storage Pros of Simsbury LLC and JA-Simsbury LLC (TC), Owners; for a Site Plan Amendment to convert Building #1 to climate-controlled self-storage use on the property located at 1280 Hopmeadow Street (Assessor’s Map 105, Block 439, Lot 002+2AA). Zone I-2.
No action required, application tabled to next meeting on December 17, 2018.
4. Application #18-63 of Brennan White, Kaestle Boos Architects, Agent; Town of Simsbury, Owner; for a Special Exception pursuant to Article Seven, Section A.4 for the alterations and additions to Henry James Memorial School on the property located at 155 Firetown Road (being located on the west side of Firetown Road between Simscroft Road and Branch Brook Drive). Zone R-15.
No action required, the hearing is still open.
VI. NEW BUSINESS:
1. Application #18-64 of Michael Glidden, CFM, CZEO, Director of Planning & Community Development, Applicant on behalf of the Simsbury Zoning Commission, for Text Amendments to Chapter 4, Section 3.2.I and Chapter 4, Section 3.4.d of the Simsbury Center Code reclassifying distilleries, wineries, and breweries in Simsbury Center Code Area as restaurant/bar uses instead of light industrial.
Public Hearing Scheduled for next meeting, December 17, 2018.
Motion: Mr. Gray made a motion to refer Application #18-64 to the Planning Commission for their review pursuant to Connecticut General State Statutes 8-3A .
Motion was seconded by Ms. Battos. Motion passed unanimously; 6-0.
The Commission and Staff discussed possible text modification regarding breweries, wineries and distilleries. Staff clarified that, currently, these are listed as light industrial, which is not allowed in the center of town.
VII. GENERAL COMMISSION BUSINESS:
1. Correspondence
2. Zoning Regulations- Amendments
a. Short-term residential rentals
The Commission discussed options regarding regulating short-term rentals.
Mr. Elliott suggested that the Commission look closer at what other towns are doing. Ms. Newton clarified that, nationally, short-term residential rentals are regulated by ordinances.
Chairman Ryan requested that Staff prepare a text amendment addressing short-term rentals.
Mr. Gray questioned whether the short-term rentals would be limited to residential zones. Mr. Doyle suggested possible text regarding safety.
Staff will prepare a draft and bring it to the next meeting.
Motion: Mr. Gray made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:46 P.M. Motion was seconded by Mr. Doyle. Motion passed unanimously; 6-0.
Submitted by:
Kimberly Rathbun
Commission Clerk