Planning Commission Minutes 11/28/2017

PLANNING COMMISSION – REGULAR MEETING

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2017

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, Robert Kulakowski, Holly Beum, Erin Leavitt-Smith        

Absent:                Regular Member: Ron Locandro - Alternate Members: Elizabeth Burt, Mark S. Drake and Gary Lungarini

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

III.           APPROVAL OF MINUTES of the October 24, 2017 regular meeting

Robert Kulakowski made a motion to approve 10/24/2017 meeting minutes, seconded by Holly Beum.  Commission voted 5-0 in favor of the motion.

IV.          OLD BUSINESS

1.            Public Hearings

a.            None

2.            Applications

a.            None

V.            NEW BUSINESS

1.            Receipt of New Applications

a.            None

2.            Referrals

a.            CGS 8-24 Referral from the Board of Selectmen on a proposed basketball courts at Simsbury Farms on the property located at 100 Old Farms Road. Zone R-40.

Gerry Toner, Director of Simsbury Parks and Culture was present to explain proposed improvements to Simsbury Farm (Basketball courts).  Mr. Toner reviewed the property’s Master Plan and described the proposed improvements.   Mr. Rice stated that the proposed improvements were consistent with Section 7 (Maintain and enhance community character) of the Town’s 2017 POCD and made a specific reference to page 104 where the POCD promotes recreational facilities to meet community needs.  A Motion was made by Mrs. Beum, seconded by Mr. Kulakowski, to find that the proposed improvements are consistent with the new 2017 POCD.

b.            CGS 8-3(a) Referral to the Zoning Commission for Zoning Commission Application #17-56 of Marshall Epstein, Rosedale Farms, and T.J. Donohue, Esq., Applicants, for a Text Amendment to the Definitions of the Town of Simsbury Zoning Regulations regarding accessory activities in support of agricultural operations include the baking of specialty breads and pies.

The commission discussed the proposed text amendment as written and how it relates to agricultural uses.  They discussed the relationship between an agricultural property and a bakery as well as the scale allowed by the regulations as it relates to a subordinate role to a farm.  Item was tabled by the Chairman until the next meeting.

VI.          GENERAL COMMISSION BUSINESS

1.            CRCOG Regional Planning Commission 2018 Appointments

Motion was made by Mrs. Beum seconded by Mr. Kulakowski to appoint Bill Rice as the Town’s representative to the Capital Region Council of Governments Regional Planning Commission.  Motion passed 5-0.  Motion was made by Mrs. Leavitt-Smith, seconded by Mr. Rice, to appoint Mr. Needham as the Town’s alternate representative to the Capital Region Council of Governments Regional Planning Commission.  Motion passed 5-0.

VII.         ADJOURNMENT

                Motion was made by Mrs. Beum, seconded by Mr. Kulakowski, to adjourn at 8:15 pm.