Planning Commission Minutes 09/26/2017
Subject to Approval
Simsbury Planning Commission
TOWN OF SIMSBURY
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, September 26, 2017 at 7:00PM
Simsbury Town Offices – Main Meeting Room
933 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, Connecticut
PRESENT: Bill Rice, Holly Beum, Robert Kulakowski, Alan Needham, Erin Leavitt-Smith and Alternates Elizabeth Burt and Gary Lungarini.
ABSENT: Ron Locandro, Alternates Mark Drake.
ALSO PRESENT: Director of Planning and Community Development Jamie Rabbitt and Assistant Town Planner Michael Glidden.
I. CALL TO ORDER:
1. Pledge of Allegiance.
Chairman Bill Rice called the meeting to order at 7:00PM.
II. ROLL CALL:
1. Appointment of Alternates.
Mr. Lungarini was seated for Mr. Locandro.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – SEPTEMBER 7, 2017 SPECIAL MEETING:
MOTION: Ms. Beum, Ms. Leavitt-Smith second, to approve the September 7, 2017 Minutes; Motion passed with Mr. Rice, Ms. Beum, Mr. Kulakowski, Mr. Needham, Ms. Leavitt-Smith voting aye while Mr. Lungarini abstained.
IV. OLD BUSINESS:
1. Public Hearings.
a. Proposed 2017 Plan of Conservation and Development (continued from 09/07/2017).
Mr. Rice reported that comments have been received from the Water Pollution Control Authority since the September 7, 2017 public hearing. Mr. Rabbitt noted that the comments have been included in the revisions to the plan. Mr. Rice explained that the essence of the WPCA’s comments were statutory in nature, and noted that the WPCA had indicated that they have jurisdiction relative to some of the items contained within the “to do” list. Additionally, the Plan also was revised to reflect the inclusion of private sewers, according to Mr. Rice. Mr. Rabbitt reported that changes were included on pages 116, 117 and 122. Changes related to reflect the Farmington Heritage Trail were also made since the last meeting.
Mr. Rabbitt reported that the Board of Selectmen, at their September 12, 2017 meeting, unanimously voted to recommend the endorsement of the adoption of the Town of Simsbury 2017 Plan of Conservation and Development and to extend thanks to staff, Glenn Chalder and the Planning Commission for their hard work.
MOTION: Mr. Needham, Mr. Kulakowski second, to close the public hearing on the proposed 2017 Simsbury Plan of Conservation and Development; unanimously approved.
2. Draft 2017 Town of Simsbury Plan of Conservation and Development.
a. Discussion and Possible Action.
Ms. Leavitt-Smith questioned the late date for receipt of comments from the WPCA. Mr. Rabbitt explained that Department of Public Works Director Tom Roy noted that the WPCA is a volunteer board and that their meeting schedule may be the cause for the slight lag. Mr. Rabbitt noted that the staff reviewed the suggested comments, deemed them administrative in nature and had therefore recommended that Glenn Chalder roll them into the Plan.
The Commission praised the efforts of Glenn Chalder.
MOTION: Mr. Rice, Mr. Needham second, to adopt the 2017 Simsbury Plan of Conservation and Development, setting the effective date as November 1, 2017; unanimously approved.
3. Applications.
a. None.
V. NEW BUSINESS:
1. Receipt of New Applications.
a. CGS 8-3a Referral to the Zoning Commission on Zoning Commission Application #17-42 of Matthew Erdmann and John Alubicki, Keller Williams Farmington Valley, Agents, for a Text Amendment to Article Ten, Section C.1.b, of the Town of Simsbury Zoning Regulations regarding real estate signage.
Mr. Rabbitt reported that under the existing Zoning Code, one real estate sign is allowed at the property and there are limitations for off-site signs. He explained that the text amendment is proposing to modify the off-site signage limitations. Mr. Rabbitt noted that there is case law relating to the inability to regulate free speech within zones.
It was the consensus of the Commission to continue this application to the next regular meeting scheduled for October 10, 2017.
MOTION: Mr. Kulakowski, Mr. Needham second, to amend the agenda to include the review and potential adoption of the 2018 meeting schedule; unanimously approved.
VI. GENERAL COMMISSION BUSINESS:
a. Review and Possible Adoption of 2018 Meeting Schedule.
MOTION: Ms. Beum, Ms. Leavitt-Smith second, to adopt the proposed 2018 Meeting schedule; unanimously approved.
Mr. Rabbit reported a correspondence from Chip Knierim, dated September 8, 2017, regarding a Release of Conservation Easement with respect to 120 East Weatouge Street. Commissioners questioned why the correspondence was not included in the advance package and some indicated their reluctance to add the matter as an agenda item for this meeting. It was noted that there may be public interest in this.
MOTION: Mr. Kulakowski, Ms. Leavitt-Smith second, to amend the agenda to add Release of Conservation Easement Regarding 120 East Weatogue Street; Motion failed with Mr. Kulakowski, Ms. Leavitt-Smith and Ms. Beum voting aye while Mr. Rice, Mr. Needham, and Mr. Lungarini were opposed.
b. 18 Shingle Mill Road, West Simsbury – request for clarification of “durable, all-weather surface”.
Mr. Rice recommended that the Town’s engineer review the request. While the Commission did not deem an appearance by the Engineer Jeff Shea at the next meeting as being necessary, Mr. Rabbit indicated that he will provide that as an option to him.
MOTION: Mr. Rice, Mr. Kulakowski second, to table this request for clarification of “durable, all-weather surface” relative to 18 Shingle Mill Road, West Simsbury to the next regular meeting, pending either a letter from Mr. Shea or his presence for that purpose; unanimously approved.
i. Letter from Scott Brickey, received 08/29/2017.
This item was continued to the next regular meeting.
ii. Letter from Noris Christensen, received 08/30/2017.
This item was continued to the next regular meeting.
2. Referrals.
No business discussed.
VII. ADJOURNMENT:
MOTION: Mr. Lungarini, Ms. Leavitt-Smith second, to adjourn at 7:47PM; unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Pamela A. Colombie
Recording Clerk