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TOWN OF GRANBY
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
MINUTES
OCTOBER 28, 2008
Present: Margaret Chapple, Acting Chairwoman, Daniel P. Brown, Jr., Charles Kraiza, Paul Lambert, James Sansone, Linda Spevacek and Francis Armentano, Director of Community Development.
The meeting opened at 7: 03 p.m.
Public session: There was no public comment. At the request of Ed Lally, the Commission agreed to add to the agenda an informal discussion concerning possible development of property located off Strawberry Fields and Bushy Hill Road.
ON A MOTION by Linda Spevacek, seconded by Charles Kraiza, the Commission voted to approve the minutes of October 14, 2008. All approved. James Sansone abstained.
A public hearing on an application for a Special Permit seeking to increase the height of an existing structure that supports wireless telecommunication equipment for property located at 151 East Street, File Z-14-08, opened at 7:05 p.m. Attorney Kenneth Baldwin, representing Verizon Wireless, presented the application. He explained that they are proposing to raise the height of the existing silo from its current 64 feet to 84 feet. The silo extension is designed to accommodate all existing and proposed antennas inside the silo extension. Attorney Baldwin submitted photos of a silo that underwent a similar retrofit. The applicant further commented on the addition of a 1,000-gallon propane tank to the site to be used to power an emergency generator. The propane tank and supporting telecommunication
equipment is not visible from the street. There was no public comment. The public hearing closed at 7:27 p.m.
The public hearing on an application for the Retail Sale of Antiques, Section 8.9 of the Zoning Regulations, in a residential zone for property located at 114 West Granby Road, File Z-15-08, opened at 7:28 p.m. Fran noted that he received today a memo from Chief Watkins concerning the application. The memo noted traffic patterns and accidents near the intersections of Rt. 20, Bushy Hill Road and Barn Door Hills Road. William and Mary Harris, owners of 114 West Granby Road, presented the application. They began by stating that a similar application was filed for this location in 2005. At that time a number of concerns were raised regarding the condition of the property. Mrs. Harris addressed some of the issues, noted the improvements they have made and submitted photos before and after the
improvements. She also reviewed the parking situation and commented that they were modifying the hours of operation to Tuesday – Friday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Saturday – Sunday 9 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. This change was made in response to concerns raised by Town staff. She stated they have been reorganizing, cleaning up and storing materials out of the public view. The saleable items will be antiques, vintage items and collectible items only. Mrs. Harris commented that this would be a leisurely, low volume operation with local clientele. Mr. Harris discussed a proposed wooden sign with engraved lettering, to be attached to the barn with an existing antique bracket. Photos were submitted of the bracket and a drawing was submitted of the sign. Members expressed concerns for the traffic issues mentioned in Chief Watkins’s memo and encouraged the Harris’s to consult a traffic engineer and to meet with Chief Watkins to discuss the
matter. A local neighbor expressed concern for the traffic volume, safety and the visibility issues due to overgrown shrubs and suggested more traffic control signage in that area. Wayne Cahoon, 151 North Granby Road, Truman & Gilbert Bed & Breakfast, stated the antique shop would be a nice addition to the town and an appropriate use for the old barn. He felt that the use also encourages preservation of the barn. The public hearing will be continued to November 25, 2008 to allow the Harris’s time to meet with Chief Watkins and possibly consult with a traffic engineer. The meeting adjourned at 8:11 p.m.
The Commission held an informal discussion with Ed Lally concerning the possible development of property located at 123 Old Messenger Road, Rugland property, rear of Silkey Heights Road. Put Brown abstained from this discussion. Ed Lally, PE, representing the Ruglands, presented site plans for a 5-lot FRD subdivision on a private road. There is an existing home that would also be accessed from the proposed private street, for a total of 6 lots. As proposed, a waiver would be needed as the 3000 foot maximum length of a dead end road would be exceeded by approximately 700 feet. The property owners, Mr. and Mrs. Rugland, were in attendance and spoke in support of the concept. Several Silkey Heights Drive neighbors spoke against the approval of any waivers for the development. As the
construction would occur at the very end of the existing development, they expressed concerned for increased construction traffic, time frame of the project, safety issues and road maintenance. They also commented on the impact the development would have on the ridgelines and views. Members of the public also spoke in favor of the development concept. Town ownership of the existing 50 foot ROW was discussed. The applicant would need to acquire this ROW in order to place a private road on it. Area residence asked if they would have the right to purchase this town property and wondered if such a sale would be put to bid. Mr. Lally discussed using driveways to access the property. He indicated that he could prepare different plans showing alternate arrangements at the November 25, 2008 meeting.
The Commission held an informal discussion with Ed Lally concerning the possible development of property located at 29 Bushy Hill Road, Law property. Mr. Lally submitted very preliminary plans and briefly discussed the matter.
ON A MOTION by James Sansone, seconded by Paul Lambert, the Commission voted to approve an application for a Special Permit seeking to increase the height of an existing structure that supports wireless telecommunication equipment for property located at 151 East Street, File Z-14-08, with the following modifications:
- The ladder that is on the existing silo shall be extended to the proposed top of the modified silo.
- The design of the extension must blend with the existing silo design by including the existing silo seams between the proposed extension sections.
All approved.
There were no staff reports or correspondence.
Fran noted that a notice has been filed in the Town Hall Land Records relative to the voiding of the Powder Mill Lane subdivision. The notice is attached to these minutes. The town will pave the road and complete it in early November.
The meeting adjourned at 9:19 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Dorcus S. Forsyth
Recording Secretary
NOTICE
The Planning and Zoning Commission of the Town of Granby, acting herein pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. § 8-26c, hereby gives notice that a certain subdivision known as Powder Mill, shown on a certain map of plan entitled Resubdivision Plan Powder Mill Final Phase, prepared for Global Development, LLC, dated 04/02 and revised through 01-29-03, initially approved by the Commission on 1/14/03, has expired by reason of the failure of completion of the work called for on such plan and in such approval within the time prescribed.
Dated at Granby, CT this 27th day of October 2008.
GRANBY PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
By_____________________________________
Francis G. Armentano
Director of Community Development
Note: See Planning and Zoning Commission Action dated 10-14-08.
[Index in Grantor index under Powder Mill Lane, LLC]
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