Planning Commission Minutes 11/13/2018
PLANNING COMMISSION-REGULAR MEETING
SUBJECT TO VOTE OF APPROVAL
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2018
SIMSBURY TOWN OFFICES-MAIN MEETING ROOM-7:00 PM
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: William Rice, Alan Needham, Erin Leavitt-Smith, Holly Beum, David Blume, Elizabeth Burt (Alternate promoted to full member)
Absent: Craig MacCormac, Gary Lungarini, Richard Cortes
Staff Present: Michael Glidden (Director of Planning and Community Development)
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES of the October 23, 2018 regular meeting
Chairman Rice made a motion to table the approval of the meeting minutes until AFTER staff is able to review the tape and confirm information from lines 61, 62, 65, 66, 67, and 69. Commissioner Needham seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
IV. OLD BUSINESS
1. Public Hearings
a. None
2. Applications
a. None
3. Referrals
a. CGS 8-3a Referral to the Zoning Commission for Zoning Commission 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). (public hearing scheduled for 12/03/2018)
A representative of Joel Weisman and Gerald Roismen was present for commenting regarding application #18-59. Principal Surveyor, Richard Neeham, from 387 N. Main Street, Manchester, CT presented the committee with an additional map of the I-2 area located at 241-245 Hopmeadow Street.
Neeham stated that since the loss of a major tenant in the office building (adjacent to the Farmington Valley Racquet Club), it has been difficult to rent the space. He stated that Joel Weisman (owner) has been trying to rent the building for 4 years. Neeham suggested that a B-3 would be better suited for the space in order to get additional tenants’ interests.
Chairman Rice asked Neeham what type of tenants the owners are looking to rent to.
Neeham stated that it is a medical office building and the space would be best used for personal services.
Commissioner Needham asked if the office building could be used for medical purposes as is.
Michael Glidden replied that medical services are not allowed in I-2 zones. Glidden went on to define personal services as “barbers, tailors, or tanning/nail salons”. Glidden also stated that Joel has been competing with other office spaces that are already zoned as B-3. Joel would like to change to B-3 in order to compete more fairly.
Neeham also added that the tennis center is staying in place as is. There will be no need to change the zone. He also stated that any potential new owners would be looking to keep the building as a tennis center in the future.
Chairman Rice stated that he thinks that this is an appropriate action of POCD. It opens up the property to other uses. He made a motion to return a positive referral to the Zoning Commission. The motion carried unanimously.
V. NEW BUSINESS
1. Receipt of New Applications
a. None
Michael Glidden discussed a new application on West Mountain Road that will be coming in the near future.
VI. GENERAL COMMISSION BUSINESS
A candidate was interviewed for town planner today.
November 27, 2018 is the next meeting.
December 11, 2018 is a public hearing.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Commissioner David Blume to adjourn the meeting. Holly Beum seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously at 7:31pm.