PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 12, 2010
Present: Regular members Pat Hare, Lynn Cheney, David Colbert, Chris Hopkins, Heidi Kearns, and Alternate member Josh Tyson, commission staff Karen Griswold Nelson and commission planning consultant Tom McGowan.
Absent: Regular member James LaPorta and Chris Hopkins and alternate members Emilie Pryor and Buddy Hurlburt.
Others present: Joanne Wojtusiak and Katherine Freygang, representative for the Cornwall Energy Task Force.
Presiding Chairman Pat Hare called the meeting to order at 7:00P.M. in the Cornwall Town Hall. All members participated in the evening’s proceedings.
Motion Mrs. Kearns, second Mr. Colbert, to amend the agenda to address Agenda item 6A. Lot line adjustment as proposed by Stephen Hart for parcels with frontage from Railroad Street prior to all other business; unanimously approved.
Mr. Stephen Hart, property owner of the Railroad Street parcels being discussed and Mr. George Johannesen, principle of Allied Engineering were in attendance to address the matter.
Mapping entitled “Proposed overall site Plan prepared for Stephen Hart, by Allied Engineering, dated August 5, 2008” was presented for review.
Ms. Griswold Nelson prefaced the discussion by noting the P&Z commission’s lack of purview in the approval of lot line adjustments and the role of the Commission as advisory only.
Mr. Johannesen addressed the proposed site development including the proposed areas of development for the two single family residences, the proposed septic systems, and the common driveway for the two homes through the access of one of the two pre-existing non-conforming frontage lots. Mr. Johannesen addressed the development of the 15% grade driveway to the two home sites and the preparation of a detailed erosion and sedimentation control plan.
Ms. Griswold Nelson pointed out areas of concern including the reduction of the frontage of one of the non-conforming frontage lots, the frontage of the two lots on a section of private and/or non-town maintained road, the topography of the land as shown on mapping made part of the Town Plan of Conservation and Development as 25% grade or greater, the requirements for special exceptions for the construction of residences outside of the required 20,000 square foot buildable area, the need for a permit from the Inland Wetlands agency for the piping of a stream for the construction of one of the proposed single family residences and the rights afforded the Inland Wetlands commission to address feasible and prudent alternatives, and the issues with the construction of a driveway with 15% grade. Mr. Hart and Mr. Johannesen were advised of the rights afforded the Cornwall Land Use Boards (Planning & Zoning and the Inland Wetlands Agency), as established by town ordinance, for outside review by professionals (planning, engineering and legal) of appropriate aspects of the site development at their discretion and at the expense of the developer.
REGULAR MEETING:
1. APPLICATIONS FOR ZONING PERMITS.
Ms. Griswold Nelson advised the commission that the only zoning permit received was subject to the receipt of a variance from side and front setbacks.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES. November and December meetings.
Motion Mrs. Kearns, second Mrs. Cheney, to approve the minutes of the November 19th meeting with the corrections of the addition of Mrs. Pryor’s name to the list of attendees, typos by Mrs. Cheney” unanimously approved. The corrected minutes were to be filed.
Motion Mrs. Kearns, second Mr. Colbert, to approve the minutes of the November 22nd meeting with the corrections of the addition of Mrs. Pryor’s name to the list of attendees, and various word smithing to better address the meaning of commission and public comment; unanimously approved. The corrected minutes were to be filed.
NEW APPLICATIONS: None.
PENDING APPLICATIONS. None.
5. CORRESPONDENCE AND COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVED.
Ms. Griswold Nelson advised the commission of a January 28, 2010 public meeting being put on by the Northwest Collaborative regarding ongoing work and findings of the Incentive Housing Zone subcommittee and their findings. Information prepared by Jocelyn Ayer of the Collaborative was distributed to commission members.
OTHER BUSINESS.
Lot line adjustment as proposed by Stephen Hart for parcels with frontage from Railroad Street. See above.
WORKSHOP MEETING.
DISCUSSION of the Adoption of the Plan of Conservation and Development
and
Mr. McGowan distributed “final edits and additions to the Town Plan” for review and comment. The commission discussed the changes with the request for additional language to be added to the Economic Development section to encourage wireless zones and DSL in the town and village zones to move Cornwall further into the information age as well as the recommendation that the Agricultural Commission be asked to be included in creating farmers market regulations.
Mr. McGowan provided a draft copy of the “Cornwall Town Plan of Conservation and Development introduction” which addressed the 2010 Plan as being an update of the 1998 Town Plan.
The time frame for adoption was addressed with requests by Mr. Colbert and others that the final Plan with all edits and changes be made available for final review before adoption. Staff and commission member David Colbert were to work together to prepare a final copy for review at a special meeting on January 28th prior to the IHZ public meeting.
DISCUSSION of planning tasks and priorities for the year 2010.
Document entitled “Cornwall Town Plan - Summary table of implementation tasks prepared by Jocelyn Ayer of the Northwest Collaborative was distributed for commission discussion.
Katherine Freygang and Joanne Wojtusiak were allowed to take part in the workshop discussion.
Commission members and staff addressed areas of priority and tasks that they would assume responsibility for as part of the implementation of the Plan with a final draft to be provided.
Katherine Freygang, stated that she was in attendance for two primary reasons, to emphasize and explain the Cornwall Energy Task Force’s work to create a sustainable model in the Town of Cornwall and to hopefully discuss align and work with the P&Z commission in the matter and secondly to promote cultural exchange and education in the town Plan.
Mr. McGowan addressed the completion of the Economic Development study undertaken by Harrall and Michalowski. The commission asked that Mr. McGowan invite Mr. Harrall to attend the next regular meeting if possible.
ADJOURNMENT.
Motion by unanimous vote to adjourn at 9:50PM; unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen Griswold Nelson