Zoning Commission Minutes 12/21/2015

ZONING COMMISSION – REGULAR MEETING – 7:00 PM

MINUTES – SUBJECT TO VOTE OF APPROVAL
DECEMBER 21, 2015

I.  CALL TO ORDER
 

Commissioner Robert Pomeroy called the Regular Meeting for the Zoning Commission to order at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 21, 2015 in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices located at 933 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT. The following members were present: Bruce Elliot, Jackie Battos, Donna Beinstein, Kevin Gray and Derek Peterson. Others in attendance included Jamie Rabbitt, Director of Planning and Community Development and Mike Glidden, Assistant Town Planner.

II. ROLL CALL

Appointment of Alternates

Commissioner Pomeroy appointed Commissioner Battos for Commissioner Post and Commissioner Elliot for Commissioner Ryan.

III. APPLICATIONS

Public Hearings:

Application #15-40 of Alexandra Costanzo, Owner, for a Special Exception pursuant to Article Seven, Section C.1, of the Town of Simsbury Zoning Regulations for a home occupation consisting of a salon on the property located at 16 West Point Terrace (Assessor’s Map J04, Block 129, Lot 014). Zone R-15 (received 11/16/2015; public hearing must open by 1/20/2016).

Ms. Alexandra Costanzo of 16 West Point Terrace said she would like to open a one-chair hair salon in her home.  Ms. Costanzo said she is currently working 3-4 days a week at a hair salon on Hopmeadow Street and the cost of renting a chair is substantial. She added that she sees an average of 3-6 clients per day and doesn’t plan to grow her business beyond referrals.  Ms. Costanzo stated that signage will not be displayed on the property. She added that her house has a separate entrance and a double-wide driveway that fits two cars side-by-side.  Ms. Costanzo requested approval to sell hair products as well as extending business hours for her evening clients. She stated that the neighbors she has spoken to are fine with her plans.

Mr. Rabbitt reminded the Commission that if the Special Exception is approved, the salon stays with the property if sold.

Commissioner Peterson moved to close the Public Hearing of Application #15-40 of Alexandra Costanzo. Commissioner Elliot seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

Discussion and Possible Action:

Application #15-40 of Alexandra Costanzo, Owner, for a Special Exception pursuant to Article Seven, Section C.1, of the Town of Simsbury Zoning Regulations for a home occupation consisting of a salon on the property located at 16 West Point Terrace (Assessor’s Map J04, Block 129, Lot 014). Zone R-15 (received 11/16/2015; public hearing must open by 1/20/2016).

The Commissioners asked questions of the applicant pertaining to how many clients she sees per day, parking and hours of operation.  Commissioner Battos mentioned she was concerned about the salon staying with the property when sold.  Overall, the Commissioners were in approval of the application with the conditions recommended by Town Staff. 

Commissioner Gray moved to approve Application #15-40 of Alexandra Costanzo, Owner, for a Special Exception pursuant to Article Seven, Section C.1, of the Town of Simsbury Zoning Regulations for a home occupation consisting of a salon on the property located at 16 West Point Terrace (Assessor’s Map J04, Block 129, Lot 014). Zone R-15 (received 11/16/2015; public hearing must open by 1/20/2016). The conditions of approval are as follows:

That the home occupation is limited to one chair salon for the owner of the property not to exceed 400 square (400 sq. ft. max) as shown on the sketch plan. No additional employees are permitted.

Retail sales may take place on site. The display unit is not to exceed beyond 10 sq. ft.

There shall be no outside storage of materials associated with the home occupation.

That there are no commercial vehicles(s) stored and or housed on the site as part of the home occupation.

That the hours of the business be conducted between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm Monday – Friday and 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Saturday and Sunday.

Signage is not permitted on the property based on testimony received by applicant.

The motion was seconded by Commissioner Beinstein and was unanimously approved.

CONTINUED FROM 12/07/2015:  Application #15-37 of Steven Walker, GPF-Drake Hill LLC, Owner, for a Site Plan Amendment on the property located at 710 Hopmeadow Street (Assessor’s Map G10, Block 227, Lot 001+2). Zone SC-1 (received 9/21/2015; decision must be rendered by 11/25/2015; 65- day extension requested to 01/29/2016).

Mr. Rabbit said that during the meeting on December 7, 2015, the Commission tabled the application to January 2016. It is currently scheduled for the January 4th meeting.  Mr. Rabbitt said that Mr. Walker’s proposal was missing landscaping and lighting information in addition to problems with the scale of sign and placement of address on the sign. 

IV. GENERAL COMMISSION BUSINESS

Discussion of New and Ongoing Projects

Mr. Rabbitt said that there are no ongoing discussions with Big Y and no updates to provide the Commission at this time.

Mr. Rabbitt said staff has a pre-construction meeting with Garden Homes (CL&P property) next week.  They may break ground just after the new year.
Mr. Rabbitt said he is unaware of any transfer of property with The Hartford
Mr. Glidden said that the Powder Forest town houses have three foundations completed. Two town houses and the club house will be framed this winter.
Mr. Rabbitt said he is meeting the Planametrix to discuss potential scope for the regulations and budget.

Commission Education / Workshop

Mr. Rabbitt said he is working on worksheets for several Commissions.  He asked the Commission if the workshops can be held during a regular meeting in January due to the light schedule.  Topics he would like to discuss are the roles and responsibilities of the Zoning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals.

Mr. Rabbitt answered Commissioner Battos’ question about the Moratorium topics discussed during the meeting held on December 7th.  He said that a 12-month Moratorium on Work Force Housing Overlay Zone application has been submitted and a public hearing is scheduled for January 4th.  He has been working on the language for a PAD Moratorium but hasn’t been able to discuss with counsel.

V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES of the December 7, 2015 Regular Meeting

Commissioner Elliot asked Mr. Rabbitt about his comment listed in the Minutes from December 7, 2015 on page 2, line 126. It reads, “…there are updates pertaining to Big Y that he cannot report at this time.” Mr. Rabbitt said that he is not sure if those are his words and will have to listen to the tape. However, Mr. Rabbitt said that there are no ongoing discussions with Big Y and no updates to provide the Commission at this time.  Mr. Rabbitt is asking for the minutes to stand as presented.

Minutes from the Regular Meeting December 7, 2015 were approved as submitted.

VI. ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Gray made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:38 p.m.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Pomeroy and was unanimously approved.

Respectfully Submitted,

Irene Muench, Commissions Clerk