PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 9, 2008
Present: Regular members Anne Kosciusko, David Colbert, Pat Hare, Lynn Cheney, Chris Hopkins, Rick Lynn, alternate Heidi Kearns, commission planning consultant Thomas McGowan and commission staff Karen Griswold Nelson.
Absent: Alternates Emilie Pryor and James LaPorta.
Regular meeting preceded by a THANK YOU reception for Plan of C&D subcommittee members in the Town Hall meeting room commencing at 6:30PM hosted by the Planning & Zoning Commission.
Chairman Anne Kosciusko called the meeting to order at 7:45 P.M. All regular members were seated for the proceedings and all alternate members allowed to participate in all of the proceedings.
Motion Mrs. Cheney, second Mr. Colbert to amend the agenda to act on 6A and 6 B prior to all other business: unanimously approved.
First cut division of land owned by John O’Donnell – Town Street
Attorney Peter Ebersol, legal representative for Mr. O’Donnell provided the commission with written information and mapping showing the previous reconfiguration of an 85 acre parcel of vacant land on the east side of Town Street through property transfers, lot line adjustments and division. Mr. Ebersol provided information prepared by Brian Neff, PE showing the feasibility of septic on the two proposed lots currently under open space classification. Based on the questions raised and the evidence of a previous subdivision map for the adjustment of boundaries, Mr. Ebersol was advised to consult with town counsel regarding the consideration and legality of an agricultural subdivision followed by the submission of a formal subdivision application or the submission of a formal subdivision application.
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.
First Selectman Gordon Ridgeway discussed the proposed storm water protection plan prepared by Attorney Grimes with input from Mr. McGowan as to various considerations including the proposed provision language being incorporated into the Zoning and Subdivision regulations, the use of the proposed provision in a collaborative fashion between the BOS and P&Z for troublesome driveways with the P&Z responsible for the driveway design in conjunction with an approved driveway access from the BOS and the consideration of making the document a town ordinance with the purview of the town to enforce. The issue was to be revisited. It was also suggested that Low Impact Development (LID) regulations be considered as part of the changes.
Mr. Ridgway addressed the commission regarding necessary procedures to be considered and adopted for the use of open space funds being collected as part of subdivision approval.
REGULAR MEETING:
1. APPLICATIONS FOR ZONING PERMITS.
#774 – Lazlo Gyorsok – 30’ x 30’ accessory structure – 45 Popple Swamp Road. Requires a wetlands permit.
#775- Ralph Scoville owner/Fred Scoville applicant – Storage shed/garage – 256 Town Street. Permit granted 11/20/2008.
#776 – Marjorie “Briggs” Whiteford – change of 18’ x 24’ private residential space (second floor) to a one room public studio for the teaching of yoga – 416 Sharon Goshen Turnpike.
#777 – Carla Hermann & D. Landy – 25’ x 7’ addition and modifications to interior space – 77 Prichard Road. Permit granted 12/4/2008.
It was noted that the West Cornwall Market building had been sold to abutting neighbors of the site (aka “Hummingbird Stone LLC”). Staff was to follow up on the matter with consideration given to an informal meeting with the property owner to address the status of the combined site and any input as to ways that the commission might be of assistance.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES. November regular meeting.
Motion Mrs. Cheney, second Mr. Hare to approve the minutes of the November meeting as presented: unanimously approved.
3. NEW APPLICATIONS: None.
4. PENDING APPLICATIONS: None.
5. CORRESPONDENCE AND COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVED.
December 8, 2008 correspondence from Milone and McBroom regarding “Village Center Plans” for Cornwall Bridge and West Cornwall was distributed to commission members.
November 10, 2008 correspondences from Byrne and Byrne regarding the placement of wind turbines on state owned land was distributed to commission members.
OTHER BUSINESS. See above.
First cut division of land owned by John O’Donnell – Town Street.
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.
Based on the requests of Mr. Colbert, the discussion of “more”, as stated in the new open space regulations, was to be placed on the January agenda.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by action of the chairman to adjourn at 9:50PM unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted
Karen Griswold Nelson