Planning Commission Minutes 04/10/2018

PLANNING COMMISSION – REGULAR MEETING

TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 2018

SIMSBURY TOWN OFFICES – MAIN MEETING ROOM – 7:00 p.m.

933 HOPMEADOW STREET, SIMSBURY, CONNECTICUT

I.             CALL TO ORDER - Meeting was called to order at 7:00pm.

1.            Pledge of Allegiance

II.            ROLL CALL

Present:               Regular Members: William Rice, Alan Needham, David Blume                               Alternate Member: Elizabeth Burt,

Absent:                Regular Member: Holly Beum, Craig MacCormac, Erin Leavitt-Smith                           Alternate Members: Richard Cortes and Gary Lungarini 

Staff Present:  Jamie Rabbitt, Director of Planning and Community Development

                                Michael Glidden, Assistant Town Planner

1.            Appointment of Alternates

Elizabeth Burt was appointed to serve for vacancy

III.           APPROVAL OF MINUTES of the March 27, 2018 regular meeting

Chairman Rice made a motion to approve 03/27/2018 meeting minutes, seconded by Mr. Blume. The motion passed unanimously.

IV.          OLD BUSINESS

1.            Public Hearings

a.            None

2.            Applications

a.            None

V.            NEW BUSINESS

1.            Receipt of New Applications

a.            None

Motion: Chairman Rice made a motion add under new business CSG 8-24 referral from Board of Selectmen for the Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Capital Improvement Plan. Mr. Needham seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

2.            Referrals

a.            CGS 8-24 Referral from the Board of Selectman concerning the Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Capital Improvement Plan    

Mr. Rabbitt reviewed CSG 8-24 and the list of activities contained within the Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Capital Improvement Plan with the Commission. Chairman Rice asked that members take a few minutes to review the documents.

Mr. Blume asked staff whether the documents included changes that were made the previous Thursday by the Board of Finance. M.Glidden stated that the list of activities did not change, the Board of Finance made changes to the amount of money that was applied to certain activities.

Ms. Burt requested clarification to location of the proposed multi-use trail.                                                                 

Motion:  Chairman Rice made a motion to send a positive referral to the Board of Selectmen for the Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Capital Improvement Plan:

Greenway Improvements, Multi-Use Trail, Town of Simsbury/Bloomfield, Highway Management, Sidewalk Resurfacing, Ash Borer Tree Mitigation, Department of Public Works Dump Truck, Tariffville, Primary Clarifier Rehabilitation, Plant Water System Rehabilitation, 1999 Jet/Flusher Truck Replacement, School Facilities Master Planning/Reconfiguration Study, District Network Infrastructure, Henry James Middle School Renovation – Phase 3 (LMC/STEM focus, auditorium), Boiler Replacement Latimer Lane School, and School Security Improvements.

The Planning Commission finds that these activities are consistent with the goals and objectives contained within the 2017 Plan of Conservation and Development. Mr. Needham seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

VI.          GENERAL COMMISSION BUSINESS

1.            Subdivision Regulations

a.            Special Flood Hazard Area- Michael Glidden

b.            Discuss potential revisions to Subdivision Regulations

Chairman Rice opened the discussion with the members present. He stated that the flood regulations will proceed but if there are other areas which require update that the commission could group these activities together in one revision. Chairman Rice asked if there were any particular areas that Commissioners wish to discuss.

Mr. Needham asked to discuss fee in lieu open space requirements. He requested an opinion from staff on the legality of the fee and regulations.

Mr. Rabbitt explained the regulations structure and reviewed the open space options. He stated that a legal review would be suggested on some aspects of this regulation.

Mr. Needham inquired about the alternative payment option. Chairman Rice explained that this was added to the regulations as way to prevent arguing over value of the land and to speed up the process when reviewing such requests. Chairman Rice stated that a long conversation was had by the Commission at that time on coming up with a value to use for the alternative payment option.

Ms. Burt asked about the application of the regulation for alternative payments. She asked whether size of the parcel was considered or is a simple payout.

Mr. Blume asked staff how the regulations added up to the neighboring communities. Mr. Rabbitt stated that the regulations follow statute and therefore regulations were similar to each other.

Chairman Rice wanted to next discuss the submittal requirements and whether changes are needed in this section. He asked staff to provide input on whether the regulations asked for enough.

Mr. Rabbitt discussed with the Commission the current submittal requirements.

Chairman Rice asked that staff prepare a list of changes which will help outline better to applicants’ submittal requirements.

Ms. Burt asked whether the regulations could require information to be provide seven days in advance of the meeting so that the Commission has time to review the changes. Mr. Rabbitt explained that the public hearing process is made so that the Commission can take written and verbal testimony. Therefore the Commission cannot require a deadline for information submission.

Chairman Rice wanted to table any action on this item until staff can prepare the list for submittal requirements and other members were present.

VII.         ADJOURNMENT

Motion was made by Mr. Blume seconded by Mr. Needham, to adjourn at 9:05 pm, the motion passed unanimously.

 Submitted by

Michael Glidden CZEO CFM

Assistant Town Planner