TOWN OF GRANBY
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
OCTOBER 25, 2005
MINUTES
Present: Paula Johnson, Chairwoman, Daniel P. Brown, Jr., Margaret Chapple, Charles Kraiza, James Sansone, Linda Spevacek and Frederick Wilhelm. Director of Community Development, Francis Armentano was also present.
The meeting opened at 7:03 p.m.
Public session: Dick Martindale, 10 Hungary Road, representing the Salmon Brook Watershed Association, informed the Commission that through the work of Senator Christopher Dodd, the Subcommittee on National Parks has accepted an application from Salmon Brook Watershed Association. If approved, a study will be undertaken by the National Park Service to identify the river’s cultural, natural and recreational aspects. Mr. Martindale submitted copies of a brochure published by the Salmon Brook Watershed Association.
William Harris, 114 West Granby Road, Nug and Bug Antiques, discussed the progress that has been made to date in improving the appearance of the property. He intends to re-file for a Special Permit seeking approval of antique sales at this location.
ON A MOTION by Fred Wilhelm, seconded by James Sansone, the Commission voted to approve the minutes of October 11, 2005 with the following addition: Page 6, paragraph 2, should read, ON A MOTION by Put Brown, seconded by Margaret Chapple, the Commission voted to approve an extension for filing the Mylar for Cider Mill Heights, Section IV to January 11, 2006. All approved, with Jim Sansone abstaining from the vote.
The Commission held a brief discussion concerning a Special Permit for a seasonal commercial recreational use, with an existing building located at 557 Salmon Brook Street, File Z-24-05.
ON A MOTION by Fred Wilhelm, seconded by Linda Spevacek, the Commission voted to approve a Special Permit for a seasonal commercial recreational use, within an existing building located at 557 Salmon Brook Street, File Z-24-05, with the following conditions:
1. This is a seasonal use, which may only be open to the public from December 1 through April 15.
2. No more than 2 batting cages are permitted.
3. The batting cages shall be located within the existing building in the space occupied by Grass Helper.
4. The use of batting cages shall be limited to the hours of 9:00 a.m. through 8:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday and the hours of 10:00 a.m. through 8 p.m. on Sunday.
5. Only rubber balls, as demonstrated to the Commission at the 10-11-05 meeting shall be used.
6. Additional plantings of arborvitae shall be placed to the rear of the building as proposed and as required by the Director of Community Development.
7. A six foot high stockade fence shall be constructed to the rear of the property, in the northern corner, extending from the northwest corner of the existing building, to the general area of northwest property line as proposed and as required by the Director of Community Development.
All approved.
The Commission received applications for:
Special Permit for earth excavation for property located at 359 North Granby Road, File Z-27-05. Public hearing is scheduled for November 8, 2005.
Special Permit for the use of a non-profit organization, per section 3.1.2.2 for the Granby Historical Society, property located at 208 Salmon Brook Street, File Z-27-05. Public hearing is scheduled for November 8, 2005.
The Commission held a discussion concerning new Town Ordinances, to eliminate abandoned, inoperable or unregistered motor vehicles and to define, prohibit and abate nuisance.
Fran Armentano discussed the Case Street area with the Commission. This area has a significant amount of undeveloped land and a number of large tracts of land under separate ownership. The area is bordered by large areas of permanently preserved open space and by the Towns of Barkhamsted and Canton. The Case Street area has limited access to other areas of Granby, is served by a substandard intersection with Route 219 and is difficult to reach by emergency and public service vehicles due to elevation and distance. Recent inquiries by developers, who are interested in creating building lots in this area, have brought about this discussion. Mr. Armentano believes that the Case Street area is unique for a wide variety of reasons and he believes that the area should be studied to determine if the
existing Zoning and Subdivision Regulations can adequately serve the area. The Commission agreed that the area should be studied to determine if regulatory changes are needed. They will move to quickly establish a subcommittee to study the area. The members asked if a moratorium on subdivision should be enacted for this area. Fran Armentano will review the matter and report back to the Commission at the next meeting.
ON A MOTION by Linda Spevacek, seconded by Margaret Chapple, the Commission voted to go into Executive Session at 7:50 p.m. to discuss 22 Meeting House Road and other pending litigation. Town staff members Fran Armentano and Dorcus Forsyth were directed to remain during the Executive Session. All approved.
ON A MOTION by James Sansone, seconded by Charles Kraiza, the Commission voted to close the Executive Session at 8:08 p.m. All approved.
It was mentioned that Commission member Fred Wilhelm is not running for another term on the Commission.
ON A MOTION by Put Brown, seconded by Linda Spevacek, the Commission voted to adopt the following statement:
The Planning and Zoning Commission members sincerely appreciate Commission member Fred Wilhelm’s many years of service. It has been a true privilege to serve with Fred. The Commission will greatly miss Fred’s historic perspective of the changes that have occurred within the town of Granby. We will also certainly miss his wisdom, knowledge and understanding of land use and development.
All approved.
The meeting adjourned at 8:19 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Dorcus S. Forsyth
Recording Secretary
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