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10/18/2021 Zoning Commission Minutes

Meeting date: 
Monday, October 18, 2021

Subject to Approval

 

ZONING COMMISSION - REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

MONDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2021

The public hearing was web-based on Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/2574297243

Meeting ID: 257 429 7243

 

  1. CALL TO ORDER - Chairman Ryan called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.

 

  1. Appointment of Alternatives:  Diane Madigan was seated until Anne Erickson arrived and switched to be seated for Donna Beinstein.

 

Present: David Ryan, Michael Doyle, Kevin Gray, Diane Madigan, Bruce Elliot, Anne Erickson, Lawrin Rosen, Lynda Laureano, Kris Barnett, and Laura Barkowski

 

Absent: Donna Beinstein, Melissa Osborne, Shannon Leary Knall

  1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
    1. October 4, 2021 regular meeting minutes

Ms. Madigan noted that on line 71 of the minutes, Donna Beinstein’s name was misspelled. Additionally, Ms. Beinstein needed to be added to the list of present members at the beginning of the minutes. Mr. Gray made a motion to approve the meeting minutes from October 4 with the correction of Ms. Beinstein’s name and her addition to the “present” line. Mr. Elliot seconded.

MOTION: All in favor, no opposed, no abstentions. (5-0-0)

 

Mr. Doyle made a motion to amend the agenda with the addition of the approval of the meeting minutes from September 20, 2021. Chairman Ryan seconded.

 

MOTION: All in favor, no opposed, no abstentions. (5-0-0)

  1. September 20, 2021 regular meeting minutes

Mr. Doyle noted that on line 64 his last name was misspelled. Mr. Elliot noted his name was misspelled on lines 53 and 171.

 

Mr. Doyle made a motion to approve the amended minutes from September 20 with the corrected misspellings. Mr. Gray seconded.

 

MOTION: All in favor, no opposed, no abstentions. (5-0-0)

  1.  PUBLIC HEARING
    1. Applications
  1. Application #21-21 -  of the Simsbury Zoning Commission, Applicant; Michael Glidden CFM CZEO, Agent; application for a text amendment to the Zoning Regulations with the addition of Section 2.6 to the regulations for the purposes of a temporary and limited moratorium on cannabis establishments in Simsbury for a period of one year.

 

Mr. Gray discussed the Planning Commission’s decision include the possibility of lifting the moratorium on cannabis establishments prior to the one year timeline. The Commission deliberated the timing of the moratorium stating it could be lifted at any point the Commission deems acceptable. Ms. Barkowski declared that the department has not received any public comments relating to the moratorium. Mr. Gray made a motion to close the public hearing on application 21-21. Mr. Doyle seconded.

 

 MOTION: All in favor, no opposed, no abstentions. (5-0-0)

 

  1.  Application# 21-22 - of the First Church and Ecclesiastical Society of Simsbury Inc., applicant; Lynda Laureano of ARTfx Signs, agent; application for special exception pursuant to Section 9.6 of the zoning regulations for the construction of new permanent signs for identification and public purposes at an institutional land use per plans provided. Zone R-40 located at 689 Hopmeadow Street.

 

Ms. Laureano introduced herself, Mr. Rosen, Ms. Barnett and stated the reason to request their application. The application includes: 8 ground signs, 2 wall signs, and 1 projecting sign. Ms. Laureano and Mr. Rosen discussed the specifications of each of the signs referenced in the application. The Commission inquired if the application had gone before the Design Review Board for approval. Ms. Barkowski had confirmed the approval of the application with the recommendation of the use of low-growth plants around the main sign in a mulch bed that would not inhibit its view from the street. The Commission raised questions about the font size on the sign on Hopmeadow Street. Ms. Barkowski stated the department received no public comment on the proposed application. Mr. Doyle made a motion to close the public hearing. Mr. Elliot seconded the motion.

 

Ms. Erickson joined the meeting and Ms. Madigan remained as a stand in for Ms. Beinstein.

 

MOTION: All in favor, no opposed, no abstentions. (6-0-0)

 

The Commission noted that application 21-23 - of the Iron Horse LLC and Co-Owner of Freedom Property LLC, Applicant; Luke Florian Agent; application for a site plan amendment pursuant to 4.2 of the Simsbury Center Code for the conversion of a motel to an apartment complex located at 969 Hopmeadow Street should have been deleted from the Public Hearing section of the meeting agenda. The motion was made to remove the application from the Public Hearing section of the meeting agenda by Mr. Gray. Mr. Doyle seconded.

 

MOTION: All in favor, no opposed, no abstentions. (6-0-0)

 

  1. OLD BUSINESS

 

The Commission prepared to vote on application 21-21. Mr. Elliot stated the draft motion made in the staff report provided by Ms. Barkowski should have included the end date of the moratorium. Mr. Elliot made a motion to approve the draft motion presented by Michael Glidden in the staff report provided by Ms. Barkowski with the inclusion of the moratorium lifting end of day November 7 2022. Mr. Doyle seconded.

 

MOTION: All in favor, no opposed, no abstentions. (6-0-0)

 

  1. NEW BUSINESS

 

The Commission considered application 21-22. Mr. Doyle made a motion to approve application 21-22 of the First Church and Ecclesiastical Society of Simsbury Inc., applicant; Lynda Laureano of ARTfx Signs, agent; application for special exception pursuant to Section 9.6 of the zoning regulations for the construction of new permanent signs for identification and public purposes at an institutional land use per plans provided. Zone R-40 located at 689 Hopmeadow Street, pursuant to section 12.1 of the zoning regulations, the Commission makes the following findings for issuance of special acceptance: 1 - Orderly Development - not applicable to the proposed request 2 - Property Values - the proposed signage with have a positive effect on the surrounding area 3 - Public Safety - the applicant demonstrated the that the introduction of the planned signage will help any identification issues 4 - Traffic Considerations - signage will help in the identification of the facility to drivers 5 - Landscaping and Buffers - landscaping will not be effected by the upgraded signs 6 - Relationship to Utility Systems, Drainage Systems, and the Impact on Community Facilities - this section is not applicable to the request. This special exception approval is subject to the following conditions: 1 - an administrative zoning permit is required for the project and 2 - the Commission authorizes the staff to act on our behalf concerning minor modifications/changes to the approved site plan as it relates to the landscaping, grading, lighting, and utility layouts. Requests for modification are made in writing and approved by staff prior to implementation in the field. Ms. Madigan seconded.

 

MOTION: All in favor, no opposed, no abstentions. (6-0-0)

 

The Commission considered application 21-23. The Commission proposed tabling the application due to waiting on a report by the Town Engineer and the Design Review Board waiting on material specifications from the applicant. Mr. Gray made a motion to table application 21-23. Mr. Doyle seconded.

 

MOTION: All in favor, no opposed, no abstentions. (6-0-0)

 

  1.  GENERAL COMMISSION BUSINESS
    1. None

 

  1. ADJOURNMENT

 

Mr. Gray made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Doyle seconded the motion.

 

MOTION: All in favor, no opposed, no abstentions. (6-0-0)

 

The meeting adjourned at 7:44pm.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Joseph Hollis

Acting Clerk