These minutes are for informational purposes only. For official minutes, please contact the Town Clerk's Office.
PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 12, 2000
I. CALL TO ORDER
Joan Howard, Chairman, called the Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission to order at 7:40 p.m. in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. The following members were present: Ernest Gardow and Alternates Elise Sirman and Cynthia Carey. Also present were Richard Sawitzke, Town Engineer and other interested parties.
II. APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES
Chairman Howard appointed Commissioner Carey to serve for Commissioner Katz and Commissioner Sirman to serve for Commissioner Bednarcyk.
III. ZONING COMMISSION REFERRAL (S)
a. Application of Musa M. Zahedi, owner, requesting a zone change from zone PO to zone BII at 1470 Hopmeadow Street.
Mr. Richard Sawitzke, Town Engineer, showed the location of this property on a plan and told the Commission that this site is located on Hopmeadow Street immediately south of the former intersection of Wolcott Road, across from some tobacco barns. He said that this is zoned as Professional Office zone.
Bob Gauthier, Realtor, said that he has the property listed. He said that he had suggested to the Applicant the he get the zone change because it would be in accordance with the Town plan to bring in more business. Mr. Gauthier said that more businesses could be put into a BII zone than into a PO zone.
Commissioner Gardow said that the purpose of the Commission is to decide if this proposal is compatible or incompatible with the Town’s Plan of Development.
Chairman Howard discussed the copy of the minutes from the meeting of January 20, 1986 referring to the time when this property was changed from R40 to PO and also a report from the Planning Staff. Commissioner Gardow questioned what a central residential policy area is. Mr. Sawitzke responded that this reference is from the Plan of Development and showed on a map the central residential policy area He said that this is a higher density residential zone whose boundaries were determined by the sewer service area.
Mr. Sawitzke asked what the present use is. Mr. Gauthier responded that presently people are living there, but that everyone around them is zoned BII. Chairman Howard expressed concern on the traffic situation already in the area and with putting in something with more intensive use. Commissioner Gardow said that as this PO zoned property is in a BII zoned area, it should be recommended that the zone be changed. Commissioner Sirman said that she would be concerned with impact on the residential zoned property next door.
Commissioner Sirman moved to deny the application of Musa M. Zahedi, owner, requesting a zone change from zone PO to zone BII at 1470 Hopmeadow Street based on the property being a good transitional piece and this not being in accordance with the Plan Of Development. This was seconded by Commissioner Carey. The motion passed unanimously.
Planning Commission Minutes
December 12, 2000
Page 2
IV. SECTION 8-24 REFERRAL(S)
a. Purchase of development rights for two (2) tracts of land on the eastern portion of West Mountain Road directly across from Flamig Farm.
Mr. Richard Sawitzke, Town Engineer, said that this is the Christensen property located on West Mountain Road south of the intersection of Sugar Loaf Cut. He said that most of this land is agricultural and is zoned R40. Mr. Sawitzke showed the Commissioners a map that was developed in conjunction with the Open Space Committee and Simsbury Land Trust. He said that the map identifies different categories of existing open space, proposed acquisitions and high priority areas for the land trust. Chairman Howard requested that each Commissioner receive a copy of this map and possibly, at some time, a presentation be made by a representative from Development Rights and Open Space.
Mr. Sawitzke explained the reason that there are two tracts is because of the method they are using in purchasing the development rights. He said that the first piece of 16.3 acres is to be immediately closed upon for the development rights, and the second piece of 22.5 acres has a 5-year option with a fixed price and a provision that no development can occur for five years. Mr. Sawitzke said that some of the features that make this attractive are that it is immediately adjacent to the 201 acre Tullmeadow Farm and the property abuts existing open space in the Stoddard Reservoir. He said that this property is in a Class I watershed and the Hartford County Soil and Water Conservation District classifies this land as prime farmland.
Chairman Howard asked if this is currently farmed. Mr. Sawitzke said yes. Chairman Howard asked if this would be purchased with the million dollar capital budget. Mr. Sawitzke responded that the money is in place. Chairman Howard asked how long would we own the development rights. Mr. Sawitzke said forever. Commissioner Sirman asked if there are any deals being made with the present owners. Mr. Sawitzke said that they crafted an agreement that restricts and allows the operations that they presently have going to where they are now so they cannot expand.
Commissioner Gardow moved for a positive referral to the Board of Selectman for the purchase of development rights for two (2) tracts of land on the eastern portion of West Mountain Road directly across from Flamig Farm as this is consistent with the Plan of Development and siting Policy 3 with regard to agricultural lands. This was seconded by Commissioner Carey. The motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Gardow moved to place on the agenda the 8-24 referral at 31 Main Street, Tariffville. This was seconded by Commissioner Sirman. The motion passed unanimously.
b. Fee simple purchase of 1.04 acres known as 31 Main Street in Tariffville.
Mr. Richard Sawitzke, Town Engineer, said that this parcel is located at the corner of Winthrop Street and Main Street in Tariffville and is a vacant piece of property. He said that this item came before the Planning Commission in April of 1993 as a grant application. Mr. Sawitzke said that it is approximately one acre of land and this possibly could be used as a little park with a small parking area that could also be used for the restaurants. Commissioner Carey said that it is a good idea to acquire the land, but feels that they should have had more of a time frame to make a decision and the public should have been notified.
Planning Commission Minutes
December 12, 2000
Page 3
Chairman Howard asked how this is designated on the current map. Mr. Sawitzke said that it is designated as commercial business. Chairman Howard asked if this is purchased, does this remain zoned as commercial business. Mr. Sawitzke responded that the underlying zone remains.
Ccmmissioner Sirman moved for a positive referral to the Board of Selectman for the fee simple purchase of 1.04 acres known as 31 Main Street in Tariffville as this is consistent with the Plan of Development. This was seconded by Commissioner Gardow. The motion passed unanimously.
V. STREET CONSTRUCTION ACCEPTANCE
a. Grist Mill Road
b. Rebecca Lane
c. Kelly Farm Road
d. Teachers Turn
e. Schoolhouse Lane
Richard Sawitzke, Town Engineer, said that Teachers Turn/Schoolhouse Lane is part of the Whitman Farms Subdivision off of Great Pond Road. He said that there are 34 homes in that neighborhood and he is suggesting maintenance bond of about $8,000 for this area. He said Grist Mill Road in the northern section of Powder Forest and Rebecca Lane located in the Lake Ridge Subdivision have been around for several years so no maintenance bond is requested. Mr. Sawitzke said that Kelly Farm Road that serves 8 homes has not been through a winter and a $2,000 maintenance bond is requested.
Commissioner Gardow moved to accept the street construction as presented, the release of performance bonds and the establishment of maintenance bonds. This was seconded by Commissioner Sirman. The motion passed unanimously.
VI. STAFF REVIEW
Commissioner Carey moved to add to the agenda telecommunications tower update. This was seconded by Commissioner Sirman. The motion passed unanimously.
Chairman Howard distributed a draft on Telecommunications Towers Siting Policy Preferences put together by Bill Voelker. Commissioner Gardow suggested that there be a reference that towers erected should be sealed by professional engineers. Commissioner Carey said that there should be a take down regulation for towers. Chairman Howard said that they should be a Statement of Intent and suggested that they look at the Litchfield document that has a clear Statement of Intent. She also mentioned putting a fall zone reference in their document and that the Design Review Board be included in the process.
Chairman Howard moved that the draft be referred to the Design Review Board so they can review it. This was seconded by Commissioner Gardow. The motion passed unanimously.
Chairman Howard read a letter from Kenneth Baldwin of Robinson & Cole regarding an application filed with the Connecticut Siting Council for the construction of a cellular telecommunications facility in the Town of Simsbury. Mr. Sawitzke said that the primary site is 123 West Street, the landscaping company, and the alternate site is 121 West Street, Salters property. There will be further discussion at a January meeting.
Planning Commission Minutes
December 12, 2000
Page 4
Chairman Howard moved to endorse the existing draft with amendments proposed this evening and to revisit this again in January for further refinement. This was seconded by Commissioner Gardow. The motion passed unanimously.
VII. APPROVAL OF MINUTES November 28, 2000
Commissioner Gardow moved to approve as amended the minutes of November 28, 2000. This was seconded by Commissioner Carey. The motion passed unanimously.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Carey moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 p.m. This was seconded by Commissioner Gardow. The motion passed unanimously.
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Pamela Katz, Secretary
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