TOWN OF GRANBY
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
JANUARY 12, 2010
MINUTES
Present: Paula Johnson, Chairwoman, Margaret Chapple, Charles Kraiza, Paul Lambert, Eric Lukingbeal, James Sansone, Linda Spevacek and Staff member, Francis Armentano.
The meeting opened at 7:02 p.m.
ON A MOTION by Eric Lukingbeal, seconded by Linda Spevacek, the Commission voted to add to the agenda a discussion concerning the Wild and Scenic River designation. All approved.
There was no public comment.
ON A MOTION by Linda Spevacek, seconded by Eric Lukingbeal, the Commission voted to approve the minutes of December 8, 2009. All approved. Paula Johnson abstained.
Public hearings:
The public hearing on an application seeking a Special Permit for Earth Excavation for properties located at 133 and 125 North Granby Road, File Z-13-09, opened at 7:05 p.m. This is a new application for 133 North Granby Road and a revision of a previously approved application for property at 125 North Granby Road. Robert Hazen, 133 North Granby Road, presented a map indicating the areas on his property where soil would be removed and the property re-graded. He indicated this is a collective effort to allow Mr. Butch to have more useful space and a useable back yard. The work will enhance both properties and allow for easier maintenance due to the reduction in the grade. Mr. Hazen reviewed the proposal for the installation of the drywell for drainage purposes, and went over the number of
yards to be removed. He also discussed the clearing of trees and other vegetation. The truck access and egress under the revised plan will be from the southern curb cut on 133 North Granby Road. The Commission reviewed conditions of approval associated with the previously approved application for 125 North Granby Road. There was no public comment. The public hearing closed at 7:16 p.m.
The public hearing for an application seeking a Special Permit to expand a commercial recreational service for property located at 557 Salmon Brook Street, File Z-14-09 opened at 7:17 p.m. Ken McCartney, property owner, gave an overview of the history of the development of this property and the prior approval of the baseball training facility during the winter months for 3,600 square feet of his building. He indicated he would like to expand the permit to cover the whole building (6,000 square feet) and for the entire year. The proposed commercial recreational use would immediately include training in baseball and wrestling with other athletic endeavors added as feasible. The applicant stated that the programs would not involve loud noise or music and that no public competitions or matches would take place at
this site. The proposed hours of
operation are Monday – Saturday, 7 am – 9 pm and Sunday 9 am to 9 pm. The Commission expressed concern for parking and floodlights on the back of the building. There was no public comment. Fran reported on several supportive emails that he received and that were made a part of the file. The public hearing closed at 7:38 p.m.
Old Business:
There is no old business.
New Business:
Fran noted that a public hearing was scheduled for January 26, 2010 on the use of a portion of a barn for a home occupation for property located at 134 Day Street. File Z-01-08. The original application was approved by the Commission on March 11, 2008. The primary purpose of this Public Hearing is to solicit comments on this previously approved and currently existing use and to ascertain if there have been any negative impacts on the area associated with the use.
Eric Lukingbeal stated he and Carolyn Flint are members of the Lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook Wild and Scenic River Study Committee. He reviewed the process involved in obtaining the Federal Wild and Scenic River designation. He discussed the impact of the designation and the limited regulations associated with it. Chairwoman Johnson discussed a possible recommendation in support of the designation that the Commission might consider.
ON A MOTION by Eric Lukingbeal, seconded by Margaret Chapple, the Commission voted their support of the Wild & Scenic River designation of the Lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook and the Management Plan. Commission members Paula Johnson, Margaret Chapple, Charles Kraiza, Eric Lukingbeal, James Sansone and Linda Spevacek approved. Paul Lambert opposed.
Receive Applications:
No new applications have been received.
Staff Reports and Correspondence:
Fran briefly discussed statistical and comparative data that he is preparing on the Town.
Commission discussion of items of interest or concern:
Chairwoman Johnson discussed with the Commission members areas in the regulations that need improvements and need to be reviewed. Areas of concern that were noted included; noise, buffers (more specific guidelines), easements between properties, signs and public safety issues.
The Commission also discussed the sign and entrance to Mill Pond Drive and the Silver Street Bridge.
ON A MOTION by Paul Lambert, seconded by Linda Spevacek, the Commission voted to approve an application for Special Permit for Earth Excavation for properties located at 133 and 125 North Granby Road, as outlined in the Topographic Survey, dated 12/17/09, prepared by Henry Cotton and Associates, with proposed contours and identified as Exhibit A, 1-16-10, File Z-13-09, with the following conditions:
- The approval permits the re-grading of the subject properties and the removal of soil as specifically outlined within the above referenced map. All critical setbacks shall be staked out on the site to the satisfaction of Director of Community Development.
- The operation shall be in accordance with Section 9.0 of the Zoning Regulations except as modified herein.
- The permit shall expire on June 15, 2010. All excavation, grading and removal of soil shall be completed by April 1, 2010.
- As presented at the meeting, it is understood that Simscroft-Echo Farms will be the contractor responsible for the excavation, grading, removal and restoration of the site. A Simscroft-Echo Farms representative shall notify the Director of Community Development at least 1 week prior to the start of the operation. The operation shall not start until such time that a Letter to Proceed has been issued by the Director of Community Development. The removal of earth material from the site shall be completed within 45 days from the start of removal or by April 1, 2010, whichever comes first.
- The site shall be restored; final grades established, top soil spread and grass planted, no later than June 15, 2010.
- The operation shall not commence before 7:30 a.m. and terminate not later than 4:00 p.m. No operations are permitted on Saturday, Sunday or Federal Holidays.
- All trucks leaving the site shall proceed south on Route 189.
- The applicant is required to install additional erosion and sedimentation controls at the direction of the Town Engineer.
- Adequate measures shall be taken to minimize the tracking of dirt onto the public roadway and the road shall be regularly swept of any dirt that accumulates on the roadway. The access and egress location shall be as specifically outlined on the above referenced map.
- The State DOT shall be notified and permits obtained as necessary prior to the start of the operation.
All approved.
The Commission identified the following reasons for the approval:
Compliance with the Zoning Regulations and with the criteria for a Special Permit.
ON A MOTION by Margaret Chapple, seconded by Eric Lukingbeal, the Commission voted to approve an application seeking a Special Permit to expand commercial recreational services for property located at 557 Salmon Brook Street, File Z-14-09, as proposed and with the following conditions:
- The proposed activities are limited to the hours of between 7:00 am and 9 pm, Monday through Saturday and between the hours of 9:00 am and 9:00 pm on Sunday.
- The applicant shall meet with the Director of Community Development to address the existing exterior lights that are located to the rear of the building, as discussed at the public hearing. The applicant agrees to modify the lighting as necessary to comply with the Zoning Regulations and to eliminate or minimize any light that is projecting onto neighboring residential properties.
All approved.
The Commission identified the following reasons for the approval:
Compliance with the Zoning Regulations.
Compliance with the Zoning Regulations and with the criteria for a Special Permit.
The meeting adjourned at 8:16 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Dorcus S. Forsyth
Recording Secretary
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