PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 13, 2009
Present: Regular members Pat Hare, Lynn Cheney, David Colbert, Rick Lynn, Alternates Heidi Kearns and James LaPorta, and commission staff Karen Griswold Nelson.
Absent: Regular members Anne Kosciusko and Chris Hopkins and Alternate Emilie Pryor.
Acting Vice chairman Pat Hare called the meeting to order at 7:35 P.M. All regular members were seated for the proceedings and all alternate members allowed to participate in all of the proceedings.
Final maps prepared by Northwest Conservation District, entitled “Land Use Map #1- Protected Properties”, “Land Use Map #2 – Areas with severe limitation for Development” and “Land Use Map #3 – Working Draft”, prepared as part of the Natural Resources subcommittee’s section of the Plan of Conservation and Development were reviewed by the commission. Copies available for review by the public were distributed to Land Use staff for filing in the Land Use office.
REGULAR MEETING:
1. APPLICATIONS FOR ZONING PERMITS.
There was general discussion of zoning permit fees, the costs associated with the processing of certain applications including special exceptions and ZBA applications and the lack of additional fees for after-the-fact zoning permits. Issues raised were to be revisited.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES. December regular meeting.
Motion Mrs. Cheney, second Mr. Lynn to approve the minutes of the December meeting as presented: unanimously approved.
NEW APPLICATIONS:
Anne Zinsser applicant/Matkin Whip and Vonziegesar owners– Special Exception for an accessory apartment within an existing structure in an R-3 zone – 15 Town Street. Set for public hearing in February.
Motion Mr. Lynn, second Mrs. Kearns, to set App: 209 - Anne Zinsser applicant/Matkin Whip and Vonziegesar owners– Special Exception for an accessory apartment within an existing structure in a R-3 zone – 15 Town Street for public hearing at the February 10, 2009 regular meeting; unanimously approved.
4. PENDING APPLICATIONS: None.
CORRESPONDENCE AND COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVED.
Ms. Griswold Nelson advised the commission of discussion by the Inland Wetlands commission to consider taking a proactive role in the initial phases of approval of facilities, ie telecommunications towers, etc. under the jurisdiction of the Connecticut Siting Counsel. An article by Derek Phelps in the January edition of Habitat, (was to be forwarded to commission members.
OTHER BUSINESS.
Revisit - Town of Cornwall – Driveway Storm Water Protection Provisions” prepared by Perley Grimes for consideration by the Board of Selectmen and the Planning & Zoning Commission.
Due to the absence of presiding chairman Annie Kosciusko and First Selectman Gordon Ridgway, discussion was deferred.
Discussion of “more” as stated in the open space subdivision regulations.
There was general discussion, led by Mr. Colbert, as to the meaning of “more” as found in Section of the Subdivision regulations. References in the discussion were made to emails and other communications between commission members and Mr. McGowan as to the proposed resolution of the matter.
Consensus was that the “more” should be modified to “twice as many” and that some standards be considered for determining the actual feasibly of the number of lots on a feasibility subdivision map, such standards to include but not be limited to demonstration of buildable area.
The issue of entities responsible for the enforcement of deed restrictions was to be revisited when Mr. McGowan was in attendance.
Request for 90 (day) extension for filing of mylars for the Seal Rock Development LLC subdivision.
Griswold Nelson advised the commission that the extension was no longer needed.
ADJOURNMENT.
Motion Mrs. Kearns, second Mr. Lynn to adjourn at 8:30PM; unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen Griswold Nelson