Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes

Meeting date: 
Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Planning and Zoning
40 Old Farms Road Willington, CT 06279
June 20, 2017 7:30 PM
Meeting Minutes

Roll Call
Members Present:
Andrew Marco – Chairman
Doug Roberts – Vice-Chairman
Walter Parsell
Joe Lucia
Brittany Skorupski-Williams

Members Absent:
John Sullivan – Secretary
Ed Standish
Randy Belair - Alternate

Also Present:

Public Hearing

Chairman Marco called the Public Hearing to order at 7:38.

PZC2017-11 Application to Amend Special Permit & Site Plan to replace tank and existing fuel island, canopy and increase fueling lanes, replace existing gatehouse and modify and add entry lanes at the gatehouse, add additional employee parking and restriping of existing parking area at 350 Ruby Road (Map 42 Lot 48-1 Zone DI) Owner/Applicant: FedEx Ground Package Systems, Inc (Received May 16, 2017 Public Hearing June 20, 2017 decision within 65 day after close of P.H.)

Attorney Dorian Famiglietti was present for the applicant.  The applicant sent notices to the abutters and A. Marco confirmed they were in the file.  Attorney Famiglietti gave a description of the proposed work which includes a new driveway at the gatehouse area, additional employee parking places and restriping the parking area.  She added that it would be minimal new disturbance and they are not in the wetland and watercourse area.  

Emile Pierides, the applicant’s engineer, said the proposed work would help Fed Ex with efficiency on the site.  Mr. Pierides presented plans which include a new 5000 square foot building, widening up to 3 lanes to speed up checking in and out, a new fuel facility to increase efficiency, and restriping the parking area.  He said the existing fuel facility was put in 20 years ago and once the new facility is in, they will tear the old one down. He added that they are also going to put a 2ndredundant oil/water separator in.  

Mr. Pierides said the new work and grading will stay out of the wetland’s 100 foot review area and they will follow all CT guidelines for erosion control measures.  He said they will tie all utilities into the servicing that is currently on site.

A. Marco reported that all changes were submitted to Jacobsen & Associations and all 10 recommended amendments have been complied with.  

Jessica Uzemblo, of Wilderness Way, said she is not an abutter so she did not receive notice but she has a bird’s eye view of everything.  She asked if they are going to flip the gate and Attoryney Famiglietti said yes.  She asked about additional lighting and Mr. Pierides said there will be no new lighting but 2 existing lights will be relocated.  Mrs. Uzemblo asked if S. Yorgensen had showed the Commission the photos she submitted and they said yes.  She said she does not believe the lighting is dark skies and that she has a clear view of the parking lot.  A. Marco asked what had changed since she bought the house and Mrs. Uzemblo said she thinks the location of the parking lot and the fact that it is up higher.  

W. Parsell said he visited the site and surrounding location and confirmed that you can hear the trucks at Fed Ex but you can also hear all the vehicles on I-84.  He added that the lighting at Fed Ex looks to be in compliance.

Mrs. Uzemblo added that the noise is better now with the trees filled in.

Atty. Famiglietti said, with the added lane, they don’t anticipate more truck traffic and they believe it will make it more efficient.  Mr. Pierides said the added lane will minimize truck idling.  D. Roberts asked if the elevation was changing and the applicant said no.  

Ralph Tulis said he uses Fed Ex a lot and the added lane will help with the starting and stopping of the trucks and the queue of the trucks. He added that it is like a small city when looking down but dark sky lighting will stop the light from going up.

A discussion was held on tree planting.

A. Marco motioned to close the Public Hearing.  D. Roberts seconded the motion.  All in favor. Motion carried.

New Business

Joe Lucia arrived and was seated for the regular meeting.

PZC2017-13 Pursuant to CGS 8-24 request for review and favorable consideration for a new salt shed and storm water improvement (configuration) at the Public Works Garage at 49 Hancock Road Applicant: Town of Willington

PZC2017-14 Application to Amend Special Permit and Site Plan for new salt shed & relocation of fuel tank at 49 Hancock Road (38 Lot 20 Zone R80) Owner/Applicant: Town of Willington (Received June 20, 2017 Public Hearing or decision by July 18, 2017)

The Commission agreed to merge both applications above into one testimony.  Karl Acimovic was present for the town and explained the applications.  He said the fuel tank will be relocated, the sand and salt will be brought under cover and the new shed will be 100 x 100 square feet.  He added that this is part of the storm water prevention plan started years ago and explained the storm water plan.  K. Acimovic said there are 2 small areas in the wetland review area and further discussion was held on the storm water plan.  The Commission looked at the plans.

A. Marco asked about lighting and K. Acimovic said they do have a conduit that they use at night and A. Marco said it has to be full cut-off dark skies lighting.  

The Commission agreed, pursuant to CGS 8-24, they will draft a letter to the Board of Selectmen in favorable consideration of PZC2014-13.

Old Business

PZC2017-11 Application to Amend Special Permit & Site Plan to replace tank and existing fuel island, canopy and increase fueling lanes, replace existing gatehouse and modify and add entry lanes at the gatehouse, add additional employee parking and restriping of existing parking area at 350 Ruby Road (Map 42 Lot 48-1 Zone DI) Owner/Applicant: FedEx Ground Package Systems, Inc (Received May 16, 2017 Public Hearing June 20, 2017 decision within 65 day after close of P.H.)

A. Marco said the application has been reviewed by Staff and their Engineer and has met all conditions. He read the letter from Jacobsen & Associates dated June 19, 2017; all concerns were addressed and they have no objections.  

W. Parsell motioned to approve application PZC2017-11 and D. Roberts seconded the motion.  

A. Marco said they heard public concerns on noise and light and Fed Ex was relatively responsive with anything they could do within their permit.  W. Parsell asked that Fed Ex use good practices to keep noise to a minimum and be a good neighbor by using cut off lights and aiming noise away from neighbors.  

A vote was held.  All in favor.  Motion carried.

PZC2017-14 Application to Amend Special Permit and Site Plan for new salt shed & relocation of fuel tank at 49 Hancock Road (38 Lot 20 Zone R80) Owner/Applicant: Town of Willington (Received June 20, 2017 Public Hearing or decision by July 18, 2017)

J. Lucia motioned to approve PZC2017-14 with the condition of the use of full cut off lighting.  W. Parsell seconded the motion.  All in favor.  Motion carried.

Minutes

June 6, 2017 minutes were table to the next meeting.

Correspondence

2016-2017 General Budget Detail ending May 31. 2017.

Meeting adjourned at 8:21

Respectfully Submitted,
Michele Manas
Recording Clerk