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TOWN OF GRANBY
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
MINUTES
May 18, 2010
Present: Wayne Chapple, William Percival, Robert Lindeyer, Judy Goff, and Ann Crimmins
Also present: Francis Armentano, Director of Community Development
Chairman Wayne Chapple convened the meeting at 7:30 p.m. and secretary W. Percival read the Legal Notice. The Legal Notice was published on May 7, 2010 and May 14, 2010 in the Hartford Courant.
REGULAR MINUTES
ON A MOTION by A. Crimmins, seconded by W. Percival, the Board voted (2-0-3) to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of April 20, 2010 as presented. A. Crimmins, J. Goff, and R. Lindeyer abstained from voting.
Chairman Chapple explained the procedure of the meeting and noted to those in attendance that decisions would generally be mailed to the applicant within 10 days. Approval, when granted, shall be null and void if not filed within 90 days of the approval date.
PUBLIC HEARING
The hearing on the appeal by Hunt Glen, Granby, LLC, seeking a variance to reduce the required acreage and frontage requirements of Section 5.1 of the Zoning Regulations, opened at 7:33 p.m.
Attorney Leonard Jacobs, Manchester, CT, who represents Hunt Glen, Granby LLC appeared to explain this appeal request. When this site was first developed, it was looked at as two sites. There is the primary area, where the 69 Hunt Glen units are located, and this 6.17-acre parcel, which is divided from the main portion of the property by wetlands. Attorney Jacobs explained that it was written in the Condominium Association documents that Hunt Glen, Granby, LLC has the right to separate this 6.17-acre property from the primary developed area in the future. This request is to divide this property, leaving the 6.17-acre parcel separate from the original area. Much discussion ensued regarding the location of the wetlands and the fact that these wetlands were know about when the property was purchased, the location
of Mill Pond Drive, and the 50 foot frontage. Attorney Jacobs stated the wetlands on site create a physical hardship not created by the owners of the property. A. Crimmins asked if there was a watercourse running through the wetlands. F. Armentano answered yes and showed it on a map.
It was stated this property could be used as residential or commercial as outlined within the ED zone. Attorney Jacobs said his client has no specific use for this land in mind at this time. Discussion went on to include the possibility of purchasing abutting land from Riverbend Associates, Inc. (formerly known as Culbro and Imperial Nursery) in order to create a 10-acre parcel, which would then be in conformance according to Planning and Zoning Regulations. There were questions asked as to how much of this parcel might actually be buildable, taking into consideration the portion that is wetlands. It seems that it might leave approximately 5 acres, but a definitive answer was not available.
Public comment: Donald Jaeckel, 59 Hunt Glen Drive, appeared and stated he was there as a representative of the Hunt Glen Condo Association. He spoke in opposition of this request. Michael Robinson, 57 Hunt Glen Drive, also appeared and spoke in opposition of this request. He asked if abutting property owners were notified of this hearing. The legal notice as defined by statute was explained and was published in the Hartford Courant twice, as required. F. Armentano stated he had spoken with several resident from Hunt Glen regarding this appeal prior to tonight’s meeting. Robert Kazman, 11 Mill Pond Drive LLC, appeared and voiced his concerns regarding residential or commercial future use of this property. He questioned if there would be adequate water availability in case of fire
and if this property were to be developed for commercial use, would there be additional tractor trailer trucks using the road?
F. Armentano stated that when talking with some of the property owners at Hunt Glen, he had gotten the impression that a majority of them were not against the separation of this property, but were concerned about how it might be developed in the future. He also understood that that many were unhappy with the developer. Mr. Jacobs did agree with this assumption
This public hearing closed at 8:35 p.m.
ACTION ON APPLICATIONS
ON A MOTION by A. Crimmins, seconded by J. Goff, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to deny the appeals to Section 5.1 of the Zoning Regulations for Hunt Glen, Granby, LLC, as follows:
the appeal to reduce the required acreage and frontage requirements is denied due to lack of discernable hardship.
The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Christian
Recording Secretary
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