TOWN OF GRANBY
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
MINUTES
OCTOBER 24, 2006
Present: Paula Johnson, Chairwoman, Jonathan Boardman, Daniel P. Brown, Jr. Margaret Chapple, Charles Kraiza, James Sansone, Linda Spevacek. Francis Armentano, Director of Community Development and Edward Sweeney, Town Engineer were also present.
The meeting opened at 7:01 p.m.
Public session: There was no public comment.
ON A MOTION by James Sansone, seconded by Jonathan Boardman, the Commission voted to approve the minutes of October 10, 2006. All approved. Put Brown and Margaret Chapple abstained.
Linda Spevacek entered at 7:04 p.m. and Charles Kraiza entered at 7:06 p.m.
The meeting opened with a report from the Case Street Area Study Committee. The Committee was appointed to study this area, following the Commission’s adoption of a moratorium for the area. The Committee has completed their study and presented the Commission with a report titled The Case street Area – A Formula for the Preservation and Development of a Unique Section of the Town of Granby. Suzanne Barkyoumb, a member of the Case Street Area Study Committee, reviewed with the Commission the Committee’s goals, findings and recommendations. She stated that the Committee has completed the mission and in the process learned a lot about land use regulation, open space, wildlife habitat, rights of individuals and the potential development in this very unique and special area.
Fran Armentano recognized the members of the Committee and noted their various backgrounds. He went through the different sections of the report. He explained that the Committee held numerous meetings where the members studied various maps of the area and surrounding land areas, reviewed contour lines, identifying steep grades reviewing soil data, soil maps, identifying adjacent areas of permanently preserved open space, fire safety, possible open space linkages and discussing the uses of land and quality of life issues of the area residents. He briefly discussed the area Residential Questionnaire that was done and discussed the report’s recommendations to the existing land use regulations. Fran recommended that the report become a part of the Town’s Plan of Conservation and Development. The process to accomplish this is established by State Statute and involves a referral to the Capitol Region Council of Governments and the Board of Selectmen. The Commission agreed. Members
asked questions and thanked the Committee for their hard work in preparing the report.
The continuation of a public hearing on an application for a one-lot subdivision of property located at 514 Salmon Brook Street, State Line Oil, File P-2-06, resumed at 7:27 p.m. This hearing was left open from the previous meetings in order to receive a letter from the Farmington Valley Health District. Fran Armentano informed the Commission that he has received the Farmington Valley Health District letter, which states that the soils are suitable for the proposed subdivision. There was no public comment. The public hearing closed at 7:29 p.m.
Public hearing on an application for a renewal of a Special Permit for the sale of antiques for property located at 74R Silkey Road opened at 7:30 p.m. Louisa Mayock, Applicant, informed the Commission that since the original approval was granted there has been on average two to three cars per weekend, ranging from no visits in a weekend to a maximum of eight visits on one occasion during the course of three days. The applicant has kept a car log of the visits. Visits by appointment during the week are extremely rare, with a grand total of three visits “by appointment only” during the past year. Chairwoman Johnson stated that she had recently visited the property and noticed that the business was located in a different barn than the one that was approved. The applicants weren’t
aware that this was a problem as the approved barn is still under renovation. The conditions of approval were reviewed on this matter. John Mangold read a letter into the minutes urging the Commission not to renew the permit. Other Silkey Road residents stated that this is a residential zone and businesses should not be allowed. The Commission further discussed the square footage of the building where the sales take place, the possible issuance of another temporary permit and the hours of operation. The public hearing closed at 8:27 p.m.
A public hearing on an application to amend Section 6.0 of the Subdivision Regulations concerning Erosion and Sediment Control and a public hearing on an application to amend Section 8.7 of the Zoning Regulations concerning Erosion and Sediment Control were opened together at 8:29 p.m. The applications are very similar in nature. Fran Armentano reviewed the proposed amendments, which he and Town Engineer, Ed Sweeney prepared. The proposed changes are in conformance with the 2002 Connecticut Guidelines for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control and the requirements for the Town’s General Permit for the Discharge of Stormwater. Details of the amendments were discussed. A member of the public stated that if a property doesn’t conform to this regulation it should be retroactive once the
Certificate of Occupancy is issued. The Capitol Region Council of Governments provided a positive referral on the proposed Zoning Amendment. The public hearing closed at 8:41 p.m.
The Commission held a discussion concerning the acquisition of the Cider Mill Heights Section III Road (White Birch Turn) and the calling of the bond to complete the public improvements as originally required by the Commission. Fran informed the Commission that Mr. Patrick of White Birch Turn no longer owns the road due to a bankruptcy foreclosure. The new owner or Trustee has stated that he is in no position to complete the public improvements or maintain the road as required. Fran has been working with the Town Attorney, the Town Manager, the Superintendent of Public Works and Ed Sweeney on this matter. They have agreed that in order to adequately protect the residents of this road it is best for the Town to take ownership of the road, maintain it and complete the required public improvements.
The maintenance and completion of the road were the responsibility of Mr. Patrick of White Birch Turn. Prior to construction, Mr. Patrick provided the Town with a cash bond to assure the maintenance and completion of the road. These funds, and other funds which the Town may receive as part of the foreclosure will be used to pay for the maintenance of the road (until it is complete) and will be used to pay to complete all of the public improvements as required in the Commission’s original approval. Mr. Patrick asked to speak on this matter. He apologized to the Town and discussed the problems which lead to this situation. He also inquired about the maintenance fees. Mr. Patrick was informed that the matter would be taken up at a public hearing, to be held by the Board of Selectmen on November 6, 2006.
ON A MOTION by James Sansone, seconded by Margaret Chapple, the Commission voted to recommend that the Town acquire the Section III portion of the Cider Mill Heights Road and voted to use the White Birch Turn/Bob Patrick bond funds and other funds which the Town may receive as part of the foreclosure action to pay for the road acquisition, the maintenance of the road (until it is complete) and to pay to complete all of the public improvements as required in the Commission’s original approval. All approved.
The Commission received an application for a commercial subdivision for property located at 33 & 35 Hartford Avenue, File P-4-06.
Staff Reports and Correspondence:
Fran informed the Commission that the owner of 48 Hartford Avenue has been sent a letter concerning continuous tag sales.
Fran also stated that additional trees will soon be planted at Hunt Glen and the other improvements are taking place or will soon begin. He anticipates that the site will be complete in the spring of 2007, at which time the bond may be released.
ON A MOTION by Jonathan Board, seconded by Put Brown, the Commission voted to approve an application for a one-lot re-subdivision of property located at 514 Salmon Brook Street, as outlined on a map title Resubdivision Plan prepared for State Line Oil, dated January 26, 2004 and revised to 9-22-06, File P-2-06. All approved as the Commission found the proposal to be in conformance with the regulations.
The Commission briefly discussed and reviewed the application for a renewal of a Special Permit for the sale of antiques for property located at 74R Silkey Road, File Z-19-05.
ON A MOTION by Margaret Chapple, seconded by Charles Kraiza, the Commission voted on an application to amend Section 6.0 of the Subdivision Regulations concerning Erosion and Sediment Control. All approved.
ON A MOTION by Put Brown, seconded by Jonathan Boardman, the Commission voted to approve the application to amend Section 8.7 of the Zoning Regulations concerning Erosion and Sediment Control. All approved.
The above Erosion and Sediment Control amendments were approved to bring the regulations into conformance with the 2002 Connecticut Guidelines for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control and the requirements for the Town’s General Permit for the Discharge of Stormwater.
The meeting adjourned at 9:12 p.m.
Respectively submitted,
Dorcus S. Forsyth
Recording Secretary
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