Print
Share page with AddThis

Zoning Commission Minutes 02-10-2020

Meeting date: 
Monday, February 10, 2020

ZONING COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES - WORKSHOP
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2020 AT 7 P.M.
SIMSBURY TOWN OFFICES - BOARD OF EDUCATION CONFERENCE ROOM
933 HOPMEADOW STREET, SIMSBURY, CONNECTICUT

PRESENT: Dave Ryan, Kevin Gray, Diane Madigan, Bruce Elliott; Anne Erickson
ABSENT: Donna Beinstein, Melissa Osborne, Shannon Knall, Michael Doyle

ALSO PRESENT: Michael Glidden, CFM CZEO, Director of Planning and Community Development
Ron Jodice, Economic Development Commission

I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Ryan called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.

II. ROLL CALL
Appointment of Alternates: Chairman Ryan appointed Ms. Madigan to sit for Ms. Beinstein.

III. APPOINTMENT OF TOM HAZEL AS ZONING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
Bruce Elliott made a motion to appoint Tom Hazel as the Zoning Enforcement Officer effective February 10, 2020. The motion was seconded by Mr. Grey, the motion passed unanimously, 5-0.

IV. REGULATIONS UPDATE WORKSHOP
Chairman Ryan announced that the majority of the changes discussed at the previous meeting has been incorporated within the copy of the draft regulations provided on February 7th. Mr. Glidden distributed pages 13-14 and 72-73 of the draft regulations with the changes made to the Home Occupation and Agri-tourism regulations sections. The changes included:
• Removal of the sign reference;
• Addition to the service occupation pertaining to storage of equipment;
• Addition of the restriction that the Home Occupation should have no effect the neighborhood traffic.

The difference between the term occupation and business was discussed which resulted in the Commission opting to use the term home business rather than home occupation. The regulations are to be edited in the table and on page 109 to reflect this change. Additionally, the Commission decided to use the term “home based service business” and to add this use to the definitions.

Further discussion ensued concerning the tables in the draft regulations. The tables should now include “Zoning Permit, Special Exception, No Permit or OK” with “Not Allowed” being included within the key as NO. It was mentioned that formatting the charts has been a challenge. Further attempts will be made to make the chart easier to read. It was discussed that the key should be edited on page 9. Rather than have one chart that continues on pages 9-10, the information will be split into two charts. Accessory and permitted uses will be on the chart on page 9. Page 10 will contain a separate chart for the non-residential uses. The arrangement of terms in the chart key was discussed and it was decided to make all the chart keys uniform based off the hierarchy of regulation to designate order.

Other topics discussed pertaining to the regulations included the following:
• Energy generating devices
• Site plan requirements
• Application requirements
• Minor editing changes - page 13 – Paragraph J needs to be changed to an I
And on page 87 – Middle line – remove word both
• Discussion as to the classification of camps – Flamig Farm is to be the model

After the discussion Mr. Glidden summarized the following changes that the Commission decided to make to the regulations:
• The term “home occupation” is to be changed to “home business”;
• Change term to “home based service business” on page 14;
• Add definition to “home based service business”;
• Update the tables to reflect both uses (home business and home based service business);
• Change keys in the charts to be uniform with “No permit” being first , then “Special Exception” with “Not Allowed” being the top tier
• Try to make the language in all keys limited to one line;
• Add language in the Site Plan section allowing for waivers to the site plan requirements;
• Add in Agri-tourism a subsection #10 and move the day camp uses to the correct sections;
• Change the number of applications required to one original, two copies and an electronic copy.

Mr. Glidden stated he would have the changes made by the next meeting and discussed the statutory time frames in which to schedule the public hearing for the changes to zoning regulations.

V. ADJOURNMENT

At 8:00 P.M., Mr. Gray made a motion to adjourn the special meeting. Motion was seconded by Ms. Madigan and the motion passed unanimously, 5-0.

Respectfully submitted:

Laura Barkowski
Acting Clerk