Planning & Zoning

Minutes
Meeting date: 
Tuesday, November 20, 2018

Planning and Zoning

40 Old Farms Road Willington, CT 06279

November 20, 2018

7:30 PM

Meeting Minutes

Roll Call

Members Present:

Walter Parsell – Chairman

Doug Roberts – Vice-Chairman

Joe Hall

Brittany Skorupski-Williams - Alternate

Members Absent:

Andy Marco – Secretary

Randy Belair

Joe Lucia

Donald Courtois - Alternate

Also Present:

Mike D’Amato – Acting Planning and Zoning Agent

W. Parsell introduced Mike D’Amato from CEM who will be the interim Planning and Zoning Agent.

PUBLIC HEARING

PZC2018-23 Application for Re Subdivision of Lot # 4 (Map 9 Lot 33 Zone R80) 59 Latham Road Owner/Applicant: Michael Nogas (Received October 2, 2108 Public Hearing November 20, 2018 Decision within 65 days after close of P.H.)

Ed Pelletier, of Datum Engineering, was present along with the applicant Michael Nogas.  Mr. Pelletier presented plans of the 42.35 acre parcel.  There is a single home presently on the parcel and they would like to add 2 more building lots.  He said the septic and wells have been approved by the Health Department and the Wetlands Permit is still current.

W. Parsell asked if there were  any questions from the Public and there were not.  The Commission looked at the plans.  W. Parsell asked if the driveways were equipped for emergency vehicles and Mr. Pelletier said yes.  The Commission had no further questions. 

W. Parsell motioned to close the Public Hearing.  D. Roberts seconded the motion.  All in favor.

Regular Meeting

W. Parsell called the meeting to order at 7:37.  B. Skorupski-Williams was seated for R. Belair.

New Business

PZC2018-23 Application for Re Subdivision of Lot # 4 (Map 9 Lot 33 Zone R80) 59 Latham Road Owner/Applicant: Michael Nogas (Received October 2, 2108 Public Hearing November 20, 2018 Decision within 65 days after close of P.H.)

The Commission agreed the application was relatively straight forward. 

J. Hall motioned to approve PZC2018-23.  D. Roberts seconded the motion.  All in favor.

 

PZC2018-27 Special Permit application for proposed recreation site (soccer fields) at 535 River Road (Map 39 Lot 5 Zone R80) (Received November 20, 2018 Public Hearing by January 15, 2018 decision within 65 days after close of P.H.)

Hugo DelRosso of the Northeast United Premier Soccer Club was present to speak and said they are a non-profit soccer club with 14 teams.  They currently rent the fields and are looking to purchase and build their own soccer fields.  Mr. DelRosso said they have been working with the town Engineer, Karl Acimovic, and have a lot of time and money invested. 

Mr. Acimovic presented plans and explained that they want to do this in phases.  Test holes have been done on the site and the proposal was previously approved by IWWC.  He showed the area of Phase 1 in which they want to develop first and then continue with the phases as time permits.

 

Mr. Acimovic said there would be no lighting for this phase but they would like to put conduits in underneath for future phases. 

Mr. Acimovic said there is no run-off from this site as it consists of gravel and showed the area of the berm. He said the infiltration currently works so well and they do not want change that.  He said there will be a drainage system for future phases.    

The site will have a picnic building and utility building and Mr. Acimovic showed the locations on the plans.  He said the plan would be submitted to the CT DOT but they do not see an issue as they have very long sight lines.  There will be 94 parking spaces in which they feel is adequate for the time being.  A discussion was held on overflow parking and the applicant said there is nearby public parking that they can utilize but they don’t believe there will be the need. The applicant added that they will not hold statewide tournaments.

A discussion was held on scheduling the Public Hearing and M. D’Amato explained because of the Holiday, the required Legal Noticing will be slightly delayed.  The Public Hearing was scheduled for December 18, 2018.

Old Business

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 Owner/Applicant: Joseph Hall (Received July 3, 2018 Public Hearing September 4, 2018 Decision within 65 day of close of P.H.) continued to September 18, 2018

Joe Hall recused himself.  M. D’Amato said he had a discussion with Attorney Mark Branse regarding concerns on enforcement.  They both believe the proposed regulation change may open this up to more properties than what the Commission intended.  He said since the Public Hearing is now closed, no additional information can be submitted.  M. D’Amato said the Commission has 3 options.  The first being they can approve the application as it stands but he does not recommend it.  The second is to deny the application and the third is for the applicant to withdraw the application and work with the Commission and Staff on changing the text.  M. D’Amato suggested he discuss the options with the applicant and then report back to the Commission at the next meeting.  He added that he would work with Atty. Branse regarding text changes to the proposed regulations. 

Minutes

W. Parsell motioned to approve the minutes of 10/16/18.  B. Skorupski-Williams seconded the motion.  All in favor. 

Public Comment and Staff Report

327 Ruby Road Traffic Complaint

Todd Bissonette, of Cosgrove Road, was present to speak.  He said he filed a complaint with the Selectmen and then filed a complaint form with the Land Use Department.  Mr. Bissonette explained the issue of cars and trucks pulling in and out of TA.  He said he witnessed a family of 4 that was almost pinched between 2 trucks.    He also witnessed a truck facing the wrong way on the wrong side of the road that could not be seen until you were right upon it.  The Commission looked at the photos Mr. Bissonette submitted with the complaint.

Mr. Bissonette said 3 or 4 weeks ago there was an accident and an altercation.  B. Skorupski-Williams said the tractor trailers often miss TA and agreed it is a dangerous road.  Mr. Bissonette said the signage is inadequate and suggested solar signage.  He added that the area is creating a bottleneck with cars and trucks going in and out.  A discussion was held on signage and the trucks turning around.

M. D’Amato said there are 2 viable options.  He said they can discuss the issue with DOT; they do not have jurisdiction but they can ask.  He said they could also have an informal conversation with TA and see if they have any improvements in mind.  M. D’Amato suggested talking to the state police on any accident data they may have. 

Ralph Tulis owns the lot next door and said the developer has a Traffic Generation Permit with conditions of approval.  He suggested the Commission look at the conditions.

M. D’Amato will look further into this issue and report back to the Commission.

22 Tolland Turnpike

M. D A’Mato said he spoke to the applicants engineer and the permit was approved by DOT.  He said the only change is the right out onto Route 74 was removed.  They did not increase parking or change the orientation as discussed by the Commission.  M. D’Amato suggested having BL do an overlay so the Commission can see the changes and the Commission agreed they would like to see the overlay. He will put this on the next meeting agenda. 

A discussion was held on the possible tenant and M. D’Amato said they do not yet have a signed contract.

Meeting adjourned at 8:18.

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Michele Manas

 

Michele Manas

Recording Clerk