TOWN OF GRANBY
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
MINUTES
FEBRUARY 27, 2007
Present: Paula Johnson, Chairwoman, Jonathan Boardman, Daniel P. Brown, Jr., Margaret Chapple, James Sansone and Linda Spevacek. Francis Armentano, Director of Community Development was also present.
The meeting opened at 7:01 p.m.
Public session: There was no public comment.
ON A MOTION by Margaret Chapple, seconded by Linda Spevacek, the Commission voted to approve the minutes of February 13, 2007 with the following correction: Page 2, paragraph 2, sentence 4 should read; Charlie Kraiza suggested planting white pines rather than arborvitaes due to the deer population. All approved.
Public hearing on an application for an accessory apartment under Section 8.5 of the Zoning Regulations for property located at 379 North Granby Road, File Z-2-07, opened at 7:04 p.m. Tom Fredo, owner, stated he has lived and worked in Granby for many years. He currently lives on Cider Mill Heights with his 3 children and his mother. He has begun constructing a new home at 379 North Granby Road and wants to add an accessory apartment for his mother. He stated that his mother has lived with him for many years and wants to continue this arrangement at the new home. He submitted a rendering of the new home and discussed the proposed 650 square foot, single story apartment that is attached to the garage. The proposed accessory apartment will be on the first floor with its own means of egress. While there is no direct access from the main part of the home, the unit will share access through a common garage. Mr. Fredo said that past experience has demonstrated that a connection
thru the main area of the house can impact family privacy and create awkward situations for both parties. He indicated that in the future the apartment could be converted to a family room. Mr. Fredo stated that neighbors couldn’t see the apartment. He went on to discuss the area vegetation that buffers the property. A member of the public asked about the lot size, which is 6.7 acres. The public hearing closed at 7:12 p.m.
The Commission held a discussion concerning an application to amend the Granby Plan of Conservation and Development by adding a study titled: The Case Street Area, A Formula for the Preservation and Development of a Unique Section of the Town of Granby, File Z-17-06. Put Brown disqualified himself from this discussion.
ON A MOTION by Margaret Chapple, seconded by Linda Spevacek, the Commission voted to approve an application to amend the Granby Plan of Conservation and Development by adding a study titled: The Case Street Area, A Formula for the Preservation and Development of a Unique Section of the Town of Granby, File Z-17-06. All approved. Put Brown abstained. The effective date was set as March 15, 2007.
The Commission received an application for a private road, 10-lot subdivision off Petersen Road, with all lots located in East Granby. Fran Armentano indicated he will be conferring with Donald Holtman, Town Attorney, on this matter. He will also refer the matter to the Police and Fire Chief for their opinions.
Staff Reports and Correspondence:
At the last meeting, during the public session, a citizen asked about the various activities at 74R Silkey Road, aka Fiddlehead Farm, where the Commission had previously approved a Special Permit for an antique store. The Commission asked that Fran review the matter. Fran reviewed the web site and found various references to the making and sale of jewelry, gift baskets and treks in Ireland. These are primarily offered over the internet as described on the web site. The activity appears to come under the customary home occupation section of the regulations. There have been no reports of a significant increase in traffic to the area, objectionable noise, odor, vibrations, or unsightly conditions or the creation of a health or safety hazard as referenced within the regulations. Fran will discuss
the matter with the Zoning Enforcement Officer and indicated that any such complaints will be investigated.
Fran informed the Commission he has been appointed to a technical working group of the DEP on Grassland Habitat Conservation. He briefly discussed the loss of grassland and the habitat for various bird species over the past years.
There was no discussion of items of interest or concerns.
ON A MOTION by Put Brown, seconded by Jonathan Boardman, the Commission voted to approve an application for an accessory apartment under Section 8.5 of the Zoning Regulations for property located at 379 North Granby Road, File Z-2-07, with the following conditions:
1. The apartment may only be used by the relatives of the property owner as presented in the application.
2. The applicant agrees to allow the ZEO to inspect the apartment on an annual basis.
3. The applicant agrees to eliminate the additional unit prior to any future sale of the property. This may be accomplished by adding interior, and eliminating exterior access, following the issuance of a building permit.
4. The property shall be considered as single-family use for all municipal purposes.
5. The entire structure shall be metered by one common electrical service and a common heating system.
All approved.
The Planning and Zoning Commission meeting for March 13, 2007 has been canceled.
The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Dorcus S. Forsyth
Recording Secretary
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