PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 10, 2009
Present: Regular members Anne Kosciusko, Pat Hare, Lynn Cheney, David Colbert, Chris Hopkins, Rick Lynn, Alternates Heidi Kearns, James LaPorta, Emilie Pryor and commission staff Karen Griswold Nelson.
Chairman Anne Kosciusko called the meeting to order at 7:40 P.M. All regular members were seated for the proceedings and all alternate members allowed to participate in all of the proceedings.
PUBLIC HEARING:
App #209 - Anne Zinsser applicant/ Ziegesar, Matkin and Whip co-owners– Special Exception for an accessory apartment within an existing structure in a R- zone as per Article 8- Section 10 “Accessory Apartments”– 15 Town Street.
The entire proceedings were recorded on audio tape and are available in Town Hall. The legal notice as published in the Waterbury Republican on Thursday, January 29th and February 5, 2009 was made part of the record.
February correspondence from abutting neighbor G Jerome Beers was read into the record.
February 6, 2009 correspondence from legal representative Attorney Geoffrey Drury was referenced as relating to ongoing correction of deeds to provide Mrs. Zinsser with “life use” of the property as per the wishes of the entire family, Mrs. Zinsser and her three children, the legal co-owners of the property.
Anne Zinsser gave an overview of her wishes to turn her existing studio into an accessory apartment including a kitchenette, a bathroom and a separate method of ingress and egress. In response to questions, Mrs. Zinsser stated that the new door would face north and not be seen from the street and that the site contained adequate parking including parking in the existing garages.
The floor was opened to the public for questions and comments.
Ann Baren, Whitcomb Hill Road, spoke in favor of the application, citing the need for more opportunities for affordable apartments in Cornwall for all citizens.
Hearing no other questions or comments and with agreement that all concerns had been satisfied.
By action of Chairman Kosciusko, the public hearing was closed at 7:50Pm
REGULAR MEETING:
1. APPLICATIONS FOR ZONING PERMITS. None.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES. January regular meeting.
Motion Mr. Colbert, second Mrs. Cheney to approve the minutes with the corrections of additional language (on file in the Land Use office) after “were made to emails” and the change of to Vice chairman Pat Hare presided over the meeting”: unanimimously approved.
NEW APPLICATIONS:
A. App # 703 - Nancy and Ronald Lacko applicant/owners - One lot resubdivision in an R-5 Zone – Pierce Lane.
The commission and Mr. and Mrs. Lacko addressed the application informally with recommendations and direction given as to the consideration of various options to satisfy the open space requirements including a possible walking right-of-way to the Cornwall Housing Corporation land. .
Motion Mrs. Cheney, second Mr. Lynn, to set App # 703 - Nancy and Ronald Lacko applicant/owners - One lot resubdivision in an R-5 Zone – Pierce Lane for public hearing on March 10, 2009: unanimously approved.
PENDING APPLICATIONS:
B. App #209 - Anne Zinsser applicant/ Ziegesar, Matkin and Whip co-owners– Special Exception for an accessory apartment within an existing structure in an R- zone as per Article 8- Section 10 “Accessory Apartments”– 15 Town Street.
With agreement that all concerns had been satisfied and that the commission was comfortable with the oral and written testimony regarding the matter of ownership and life use as being prepared by Mrs. Zinsser’s legal counsel
Motion Mr. Lynn, second Mr. Hopkins, to approve App #209 - Anne Zinsser applicant/ Ziegesar, Matkin and Whip co-owners– Special Exception for an accessory apartment within an existing structure in an R- zone as per Article 8- Section 10 “Accessory Apartments”– 15 Town Street the as per the oral and written testimony of the applicant and their representatives, including town staff and as per the site plan presented (as part of the Zoning permit)
The special exception for the “Accessory apartment” is granted as the commission has determined that the plans as provided meet the specific standards and criteria as set forth in Article VIII, Section 10 “Accessory Apartments” as well as general standards of Article VIII, Section5, “General Standards” for all special exception applications of the Town of Cornwall Zoning regulations; unanimously approved.
Motion Mr. Hare, second Mrs. Cheney to change the order of business to act on Agenda item 6B prior to all other business; unanimously approved.
Discussion of the request from the Cornwall Housing Corporation regarding zoning amendments
Mrs.’s. Margaret Cooley and Marie Prentice were in attendance to represent the Cornwall Housing Corporation.
January 15, 2009 correspondence from Margaret Cooley to P&Z chairman Annie Kosciusko regarding an amendment to Section 8. 25 1d and February 5, 2009 review correspondence from commission planning consultant Tom McGowan to the Commission were referenced and made part of the record. (On file in the Land Use office). After discussion of the correspondence, staff was directed to move forward with the amendments to the regulations, send copies to the appropriate municipal planning agencies and set the amendments for public hearing on April 14.
5. CORRESPONDENCE AND COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVED.
OTHER BUSINESS.
A. Discussion of “more” as stated in the open space subdivision regulations.
January 22, 2009 correspondence from commission member David Colbert was made part of the record. After discussion, that the working as proposed by Mr. Colbert had the approval of the commission at large;
Motion Mr. Hare, second Mrs. Cheney, to approve the wording as proposed by Mr. Colbert and to set the amendment as presented for public hearing at the March 10th regular meeting; unanimously approved.
B. Discussion of the request from the Cornwall Housing Corporation regarding zoning amendments. See above.
ADJOURNMENT.
Motion by action of the chairman to adjourn at 9:30PM; unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen Griswold Nelson