Planning & Zoning

Amended Minutes
Meeting date: 
Tuesday, July 3, 2018

Planning and Zoning

40 Old Farms Road Willington, CT 06279

July 3, 2018

7:30 PM

Amended Meeting Minutes

Roll Call

Members Present:

Walter Parsell – Chairman

Randy Belair

Joe Lucia

Brittany Skorupski-Williams - Alternate

Members Absent:

Doug Roberts – Vice-Chairman

Andy Marco - Secretary

Joe Hall

Donald Courtois - Alternate

 

Also Present:

Susan Yorgensen –Planner/Zoning Agent

Public Hearing

W. Parsell called the Public Hearing to order at 7:30.  B. Skorupski-Williams was seated for D. Roberts.

PZC2018-10 Application for Special Permit including final site development plan approval to construct a proposed 9,225 s.f. commercial retail building and related activities including parking area and demolition of existing building at 22 Tolland Turnpike (Map 30 Lot 015 Zone DC) Owner: Willington, LLC Applicant: Garrett Homes, LLC (Received April 17, 2018 Public Hearing June 5, 2018 Decision within 65 days after close of P. H.)

Matt Bruton of BL Companies was present for the applicant. He gave an overview of the application and said there are wetlands to the rear of the parcel.  He said they previously calculated the parking wrong for the business size and they now have 27 parking spaces.  He added that the plan now conforms and they do not require a variance. 

W. Parsell questioned deliveries and Mr. Bruton said the new plan does not interfere with deliveries.  He added that most deliveries are done afterhours.  He said they are proposing 2 curb cuts which are under review with DOT.  He said a storm water management system is required which includes catch basins with sumps and hoods and a report has been submitted.  Mr. Bruton added that erosion control measures are also in place. 

Mr. Bruton said the architecture has been revised and presented plans.  He said it is a better fit with a traditional New England feel.  The plans include a peaked façade with a cupola and faux windows.  R. Belair questioned the compressor for the AC and Mr. Bruton said it will be on the roof and could be shielded at their discretion.  He said they feel it matches with the Dunkin Donuts across the street and added that they still do not have a signed contract for a tenant. 

W. Parsell opened the floor to the Public. Richard Maloney, of the Economic Development Commission and Board of Assessment Appeals questioned signage.  Mr. Bruton said they have no signage plan at this time and will come back before the Commission when a tenant is known.  He added that they will conform to the regulations.  

Mr. Bruton showed the areas of landscaping on the plans which also lists the plant varieties proposed. 

Bob Shabot, of Jared Sparks Road, asked if the cupola will be lighted and Mr. Bruton said it will be frosted glass with no proposed lighting. 

Matt Ellis, of River Road, said he has no issue with developing this site but is concerned on the parking lot lighting.   Mr. Bruton added that the frontage on River Road will not be touched. 

A discussion was held on the height of the building and the cupula.  Mr. Bruton said it will be 29.5 feet before the cupola and the lighting proposed is LED with full cut off features.  A discussion was held on the light poles and S. Yorgensen said the regulations state the lighting can be 16 feet high.  Mr. Bruton said they will meet the regulations. 

Ralph Tulis, of Village Hill Road, said the cupola looks to be 8 feet above which puts them at approximately 38 feet and that does not include the weathervane.  He said the Phelps Way elevation side needs dressing up and expressed his concerns on the traffic plan as stated at the last meeting.  Mr. Tulis said he hopes DOT denies access to 74 and he would like see the site developed more coherent to the area. 

Mr. Bruton said the 3 surrounding roads are controlled by DOT and they are proposing to access 2 of them. He said they have had similar comments from DOT that they are working through.  He added that DOT looks for local approval prior to giving their approval and that they can only design toward the zoning regulations in which they are in compliance. Ralph Tulis said he still believes the Commission has some say on traffic patterns and asked them to carefully consider what is appropriate.

Bob Shabot said the applicant has done quite well dressing up the front of the building and asked that they consider dressing up the side facing Phelps.  Mr. Bruton said he could bring it back to the applicant but they would have to get approval from the Developer. W. Parsell said he would like to see that done. 

John Blessington, of Mason Road, said the spot is a valuable commercial site and they have waiting 14 years for something to go in there.  He asked the Commission to take that into account.

S. Yorgensen referenced the June 6th letter from DOT and asked if all the comments have been addressed.  Mr. Bruton said #2 and #3 have been addressed; they are putting guard rails around the detention basin and trying to limit the driveway entrance. W. Parsell said the biggest concern is the traffic pattern.  S. Yorgensen said most of the other comments are clean up things but said there are concerns on the construction entrance on 74.  Mr. Bruton said it could be moved and relocated. 

Ralph Tulis questioned the detention basin outlet.  Mr. Bruton said on the corner there is an existing catch basin that they will connect in to. Ralph Pearson, of Fermier Rd, asked the size of the septic.  Mr. Bruton showed on the plans and said it complies with the Public Health Department.

Matt Bruton agreed to close the Public Hearing.

J. Lucia motioned to close the Public Hearing.  R. Belair seconded the motion.  All in favor.  Motion carried.

Regular Meeting

W. Parsell called the Regular Meeting to order at 8:03. 

New Business

Review of renewal of Special Permit for Home Occupation Sadow Excavating original approved on August 3, 1993 at 115 Eldredge Road (Map 7 Lot 1 Zone R80 Owner: Alfred Sadow

W. Parsell read the complaint letter submitted.  He said the biggest concern is the oversized trucks going in and out.  Richard Maloney said Alfred Sadow could not make this meeting and he is there to speak for him.  He said the complaint was investigated and it wasn’t one of Sadow’s construction vehicles.  S. Yorgensen said the person that complained was following the truck.  R. Belair asked if there was any complaint history and S. Yorgensen said one other time and it was resolved in office. 

R. Maloney said he believes this complaint was resolved but recommended Mr. Sadow speaks for himself at a future meeting.  A discussion was held on possible renewal conditions.

This renewal was tabled until the next meeting on July 17th. 

PZC2018-15 Application for Proposed Zoning Regulations changes to add new Section 5.02.01.02.21 Permanent Farm Stand, Section 5.02.01.02.22  Farm Accessory Use Event Facilities, Special Regulations Section 11.24 Permanent Farm Stand with Special Permit and 11.25 Farm Accessory Use Event Facilities with Special Permit

S. Yorgensen said this proposal is to allow farms to do weddings and things of that sort.  It is also a request for towns to allow permanent farm stands.

PZC2018-16 Change to Town of Willington Zoning Regulations to allow for live entertainment. Applicant: Planning and Zoning Commission

The Commission agreed to conduct PZC2018-15 and PZC2018-16 Public Hearings Sept 4, 2018. 

PZC2018-10 Application for Special Permit including final site development plan approval to construct a proposed 9,225 s.f. commercial retail building and related activities including parking area and demolition of existing building at 22 Tolland Turnpike (Map 30 Lot 015 Zone DC) Owner: Willington, LLC Applicant: Garrett Homes, LLC (Received April 17, 2018 Public Hearing June 5, 2018 Decision within 65 days after close of P. H.)

W. Parsell said a major concern is traffic and there was also talk of enhancing the back side of the building. The application was tabled to the next meeting.

Minutes

R. Belair motioned to approve the minutes of June 5, 2018.  J. Lucia seconded the motion.  All in favor.  Motion carried.

Correspondence

Email from CSB requesting a waiver.  R. Belair recused himself and the remaining members agreed to remand this to staff.

Emily Perko submitted reports on the land use classes she attended.

Public Comment

Wayne Mora, of Timber Lane, commented on a home that is diagonal from him; it was foreclosed on, is now fixed up and being rented to young people.  He believes there are 8 people and 10 dogs including Pit Bulls living in the house.  Mr. Mora said the animals are wandering the neighborhood and the renters are having parties, etc. at the house.  S, Yorgensen said they are investigating and asked that Mr. Mora keep them updated as to the happenings going on.  She said they have to have proof to uphold in court and added that the Health Dept. has addressed the trash problem. 

 

Amendment

Matt Ellis commented on the foundation problem, rentals and Mansfield’s ordinance. He felt Mansfield ordinance was too restrictive but there are a lot of good things about it. Mr. Ellis said he knows one guy that has 10 million bucks from investors and he is buying up the houses with crumbling foundations with no intent the fix them whatsoever. He said they are going to make boarding houses, but they don’t call them boarding houses, have a common kitchen and a common lease, versus leases for each individual. He said he knows he has 7 or 8 in Willington, 3 or 4 in Ellington, 10 in Tolland and this is not necessarily a good landlord. . 

A discussion was held on rental properties, the impact of crumbling foundations and ways to place restrictions on rentals.  A discussion was held on ordinances and housing code ordinances.  R. Belair suggested bringing the issue before CRCOG.

Matt Ellis said

Meeting adjourned at 8:38.

Respectfully Submitted,

Michele Manas

Michele Manas

Recording Clerk