PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING JUNE 8, 2010
Present: Regular members Pat Hare, Lynn Cheney, David Colbert, Heidi Kearns, James LaPorta, Alternate member Josh Tyson, commission staff Karen Griswold Nelson and commission planning consultant Tom McGowan
Absent: Chris Hopkins and Alternates Emilie Pryor and Buddy Hurlburt.
Chairman Pat Hare called the meeting to order at 7:05 P.M. in the Cornwall Town Hall with a quorum established. All members participated in the evening’s proceedings.
1. APPLICATIONS FOR ZONING PERMITS. None posted prior to the meeting.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES. May regular and special meetings.
Motion made by Mrs. Kearns, seconded by Mrs. Cheney to approve the minutes for the May 11th and May 18th meetings with the correction of “including the to-be-formed conservation” to “including the proposed conservation” under Planning Workshop in the May 18th minutes: unanimously approved.
3. NEW APPLICATIONS:
4. PENDING APPLICATIONS.
A. Amendments to the Zoning Regulations - Section 8.26 “Town or non-profit Sponsored Lot”- set for public hearing July 13, 2010.
5. CORRESPONDENCE AND COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVED.
A. Notification of July 20, 2010 public hearing being conducted by the Connecticut Siting Council at 3:00PM to 7Pm in Cornwall regarding Docket No. #402- Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless application for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public need for the construction, maintenance and operation of a telecommunications facility located at 16 Bell Road Extension,
June 1, 2010 correspondence from the Cornwall Board of Selectmen to S. Derek Phelps, Executive Director of the Connecticut Siting Council regarding the proposed Bell Road Extension telecommunication facility, correspondence that included an attached copy of September 10, 2009 correspondence to Ms. Sandy Carter, regulatory Manager of Verizon Wireless from the Inland wetlands agency was made part of the record.
In response to the BOS correspondence made part of the record, Mr. Colbert addressed correspondence that he had drafted after his review of the application. Mr. Colbert addressed the plans submitting violating current zoning regulations in terms of driveway grade. In response to concerns raised from the audience by Joanne Wojtusiak regarding language in the Plan of C&D that addressed town improvements to technology infrastructure to support home based businesses, Mr. Colbert addressed adding language supporting the consideration of alternatives such as repeaters. After discussion and with agreement that the commission supported the BOS letter, the commission directed Mr. Colbert to re-draft his correspondence to include commission specific concerns including driveway grade, potential environmental impact based on the potential for soil and erosion issues and consideration of alternates for review and consideration at the July meeting prior to the correspondence being sent to the Siting Council.
6. OTHER BUSINESS PROPER TO COME BEFORE THE COMMISSION.
A. June 16th FOI/email workshop with Attorney Perley Grimes with all town commissions.
The commission addressed attendance at a June 16th FOI/email workshop meeting by commission members and staff.
PLANNING MEETING
Workshop meeting to include but not be limited to discussion of
a. Proposed changes to the Zoning regulations for the sale of one acre lots by farmers, b. The establishment of a Housing Trust Fund, c. Residential zoning options,
d. Telecommunications facilities, e. Establishment of a Conservation Commission,
f. Planning tasks and priorities worksheet and g. June 2 memo from Jocelyn Ayer (with Ms. Ayer upon her arrival.)
June 7, 2010 correspondence titled “Draft Zoning regulations regarding the sale of one acre lots from farms as recommended in the Cornwall POCD” prepared by Mr. McGowan was made part of the record to be used as the basis of the workshop discussion.
Discussion ensued as to regulatory language needed for consideration of the sale of one acre lots on farms, lots approved for sale by the farmer/property owner. Issues discussed regarding the consideration of such regulations included the question(s) as to “what is a working farm” and “where are they?”, the kind of deed restrictions or easements needed for the lots, the placement of septic systems on the adjacent farm land and the farm land itself, the party or entity responsible for holding and enforcing the necessary deed restrictions or easements on the lots, the cost for the development of the lot i.e. mapping and design for subdivision versus first cut, and the economic benefits afforded to the farmer for such lots, It was suggested that the matter be vetted with the Agricultural Commission in a joint commission discussion.
Discussion ensued as to regulatory language needed for consideration of a housing trust fund for affordable housing. With note made that the Plan of C&D contained language from the New Canaan zoning regulations, Mr. McGowan was to re-address the matter.
Discussion ensued as to the types of residential zoning options open to the commission to allow for different and/or high density housing including cluster housing. It was agreed that mapping suitable for addressing higher density would be needed, mapping that help the commission identify areas that could absorb higher density while protecting farms, retaining the rural character of the neighborhood and the scenic quality of the town and protect water quality. It was suggested that the commission invite Mr. Fran Amento, town planner for the Town of Granby to do a presentation regarding the use of cluster in Granby.
Jocelyn Ayer and Christopher Woods from the Northwest Connecticut Regional Planning Collaborative arrived at 8:25PM with the floor opened for their presentation. Mr. Woods addressed the expanded list of services available from the Collaborative; distributing correspondence from the Collaborative entitled “Plan Locally – Act Regionally”. Mrs. Ayer addressed June 2, 2010 correspondence previously emailed to the commission and made part of the record regarding the Incentive Housing Zone and other topics. Discussion ensued as to additional services and projects that the Collaborative was willing to work with the Cornwall P&Z with interest expressed in particular to the village district regulations (Cheney) and soils mapping and site constraints (Colbert) for the consideration of alternative residential housing options.
In response to a recommendation from Mrs. Ayer as to inviting David Fink, policy and communications director for the Partnership for Strong Communities and Home Connecticut programs to speak to the Commission in an open forum meeting on residential housing options, it was agreed that Mrs. Ayer should arrange such a meeting in the near future.
David Colbert out 9:20PM.
Revised copies of the Cornwall Town Plan 2010 Implementation Tasks, updated to June 8, 2010, were distributed to commission members and made part of the record. (Copies available in the Land Use office). Based on the lateness of the hours, discussion was deferred on the agenda item.
ADJOURNMENT.
Motion made by Mr. LaPorta, seconded by Mrs. Kearns to adjourn at 9:35Pm; unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen Griswold Nelson