PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MAY 11, 2010
Present: Regular members Pat Hare, Lynn Cheney, David Colbert, Heidi Kearns, James LaPorta, Alternate member Emilie Pryor and commission staff Karen Griswold Nelson.
Absent: Chris Hopkins and Alternate members Josh Tyson 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.
Discussion with Jocelyn Ayer from the Northwest Collaborative regarding the Incentive Housing Zone (IHZ) and consideration by the commission to adopt a resolution which endorses the submission of the IHZ adoption application, certification that the Commission will consider the creation of the IHZ as identified in the application and certification that the Commission will consider and act upon IHZ development when proposed.
Information made part of the file and on file in the Land Use Office.
May 6, 2010 memo from Jocelyn Ayer
Incentive Housing Zone Adoption application (long and short form)
Jocelyn Ayer, collaborative planner and representative from the Northwest Collaborative addressed information made part of the file that evening, outlining the intent of the resolution being considered (as stated in the May 6th memo) as that of the P&Z commission granting permission for the application to be submitted to the State of Connecticut Office of Policy and Management for review only. Mrs. Ayer addressed a meeting called last week by herself for the abutters to the property. After questions from the commission, the floor was opened to the public for questions and comments.
Gordon Ridgway, representative for the Board of Selectmen, Will Calhoun, representative for the Cornwall Housing Corporation, and David Fink, policy and communications director for the Partnership for Strong Communities program were in attendance to answer questions.
At 8:15PM, the floor was closed for public input.
The commission opened discussion of the adoption of the resolution as stated. After discussion, informal consensus of the commission, (with Mrs. Pryor seated for Mr. Hopkins) was split between 3 members supporting the resolution to move forward at the current time and three members not supporting the resolution to move forward at this time. Further discussion of the matter was tabled with no set date established to revisit the matter. Several issues to be followed up were the marketability of the parcel, the traffic accident rate in that area as raised during public comment, a safe way to access Cornwall Bridge center from the parcel by foot, and a legal review of the enabling statutes for the IHZ legislation.
REGULAR ZONING MEETING:
1. APPLICATIONS FOR ZONING PERMITS.
#0822 – James Young owner – Agricultural accessory structure for the housing of swine – 104 Kent Road.
#823 – Peter Oliver and Sandra Gomez applicants/owners – 24’ x 36’ garage – 77 Hollenbeck Road
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES. March special and April regular meeting. Tabled.
3. NEW APPLICATIONS:
A. Request for Modification of Zoning Permit # 1258 for the Berkshire
Country Store for site plan changes including the move of outdoor seating (picnic
tables), reconfiguration of storage areas and living areas, and seasonal signage.
Ms. Griswold Nelson addressed the request by the current proprietors of the Berkshire Country Store to make changes to their current Zoning permit, stating that the most urgent issues at hand were their requests for seasonal signage to advertise the sale of Lime Rock tickets and the move of the picnic tables from the island to the back of the property due to safety issues. It was agreed that the seasonal signage as requested was appropriate and based on safety issues, (cars cutting through the parking lot over the island) the move of the picnic table was appropriate. Due to lack of urgency as to the change in reconfiguration of storage and living areas, the matter was to be revised when more concrete plans were provided.
4. PENDING APPLICATIONS.
5. CORRESPONDENCE AND COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVED.
A package of information from Robinson and Cole dated May 6, 2010 and addressed to Pat Hare, Planning & Zoning Commission chairman regarding an application filed with the Connecticut Siting Council for a proposed telecommunications facility at 16 Bell Road Extension was made part of the record. Based on Mr. Hare acknowledgment of personal involvement in the matter as abutter, Mr. Colbert agreed to act on the chair’s behalf in the review of the information provided.
6. OTHER BUSINESS PROPER TO COME BEFORE THE COMMISSION.
Discussion of Email guidelines and FOI guidelines.
Griswold Nelson advised the commission that a meeting was being planned for all land use commissions to attend regarding email guidelines and FOI (Freedom of Information).
Griswold Nelson addressed the newly adopted Plan of Conservation and Development and the question and method of distribution. With note made that the Plan of C&D as well as the land use regulations including Zoning, Subdivision, and soon to be Inland Wetlands were on the Cornwall website, commission direction was to order color copies for all Planning & Zoning commission members, subcommittee members, ZBA members and Board of Selectmen members as well as have additional color copies available for sale in the Town Hall. Copies were to be filed with the Town Clerk, as mandated by statute, and put on file in the town libraries. Note was made of the intent by the Land Use office to post land use permits on the website with the issue of the Land Use website, its content and set-up, to be revisited.
PLANNING MEETING
Discussion of proposed changes to the Zoning regulations regarding clarification of buildable areas requirements for residential lots AND consideration of action to amend Section 8.26 “Town or non-profit Sponsored Lot”. (draft motion on file in the Land Use office)
After discussion of the draft motion on file, with one change to the language (typographical in nature)
Motion made by Mr. Colbert, seconded by Mr. LaPorta, to set the proposed changes to Section 8.26 “Town or non-profit Sponsored Lot” of the Zoning Regulations regarding clarification of buildable areas requirements for residential lots for public hearing on July 13, 2010: unanimously approved.
Discussion of planning tasks and priorities for the year 2010 including the consideration of “cluster” and TDR regulations.
Due to the lateness of the hour, a special meeting was set for May 18th.
ADJOURNMENT.
Motion by unanimous vote to adjourn at 9:45PM; unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen Griswold Nelson