PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 13, 2011

Present: Regular members David Colbert, Jill Cutler, Heidi Kearns, James LaPorta and John Miller, Commission planning consultant Tom McGowan and commission staff Karen Griswold Nelson.
Absent: Regular member Pat Hare and Alternate member Josh Tyson
Others present: Stephen Saccardi, Ginny Potter and Karen Bartomioli.

Vice chairman James LaPorta called the meeting to order at 7:07 P.M. in Cornwall Library with a quorum established. All members participated in all of the evening’s proceedings. Members of the public were allowed to participate.

ZONING MEETING:

1. APPLICATIONS FOR ZONING PERMITS.
App#867 – Philippe Selendy - Placement of 3 accessory structures – 1. 10’ x 13’ woodshed, 2 8’ x 24’ free standing un insulated garden shed and 3. 18’ x 24’ open sided shelter as per site plan submitted- 147 Town Street. Permit approved September 2011.

App#868 - Wendy and Michael Trussman – 14’ x 24’ storage shed – 103 Great Hollow Road.
Permit approved. Permit approved November 2011

App#869 - Ronnie Lizano - 24’ x 12’ enclosure (wood shed) on an existing concrete slab – 128 Kent Road South. Permit approved. Permit approved November 2011

App#870 - David and Nicole Nadal owners/Gerald Smith applicant - 10’ x 14’ addition to an existing deck – 94 Whitcomb Hill Road. Permit approved December 2011.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES. September and November minutes.
Motion made by Mrs. Cutler, seconded by Mrs. Kearns to approve the minutes of the November meeting as presented: unanimously approved.

3. NEW APPLICATIONS: None.

4. PENDING APPLICATIONS. None.

5. OTHER BUSINESS PROPER TO COME BEFORE THE COMMISSION.

A. Election of officers.
Deferred until all regular members were to be in attendance.

B. Meeting dates for the year 2012.
Motion made by Mr. Colbert, seconded by Mr. Miller to approve the 2012 regular meeting dates of January 10, February 14, March 13, April 10, May 8, June 12, July 10, August 14, September 11, October 9, November 13, December 11, all meetings to commence at 7:00PM and be held in the Cornwall Library; unanimously approved.

6. CORRESPONDENCE AND COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVED.
Griswold Nelson addressed the recent December 7, 2011 meeting for a “Legal Overview for Conservation and Planning & Zoning Commissions” by Shipman & Goodwin legal representative Attorney Christopher Smith held in Goshen. It was stated that several Cornwall Conservation Commission members had attended the meeting and that a hand-out from the meeting was available for Commission review in the Land Use Office.

7. WORKSHOP/PLANNING MEETING
A. Presentation by Planning Consultant Tom McGowan on Granby CT’s FRED program (flexible residential development) and discussion of residential housing options,
Mr. McGowan gave a power point presentation on Granby’s FRED housing with a question and answer period after regarding the information presented, similar cluster development regulations in other northwest corner towns and the LID (Low impact development) component associated with cluster development. Other options being considered as part of the Commission’s charge in the recently adopted Plan of C&D to address options for residential housing were discussed including “TDR’s”. Vice chairman LaPorta asked that the Commission revisit the question as to how and whether to move forward with the consideration of “conservation” (aka known as cluster subdivision) regulations as recommended in the Town Plan with a majority consensus to move forward with the discussion in some fashion. There was general consensus that the adoption of TDR regulations was difficult in towns similar in size, topography and lack of public services as found in Cornwall. Recommendations were made that a subcommittee, similar to the subcommittee set up to address accessory apartments, be considered with the conversation to be revisited at the January meeting when chairman Hare was in attendance.

B. Review of accessory apartment regulations and consideration of setting a public hearing date.
Mr. McGowan addressed information forthcoming from town counsel Attorney Grimes with the agenda item to be placed on the January meeting agenda.

C. Recommendations by staff for amendments to the Zoning and subdivision regulations for statutory compliance regarding noticing, bonding et al,
Griswold Nelson addressed proposed changes to the Zoning and subdivision regulations for statutory compliance as relating to noticing and bonding and as recommended by Attorney Grimes in memo’s to the various Land Use Boards. Recommendation was made that such amendments be addressed at the same time as the accessory apartment regulations.

D. Recommendation by staff to address amendments to the Flood Insurance Program regulations.
Griswold Nelson recommended updating the current Flood Insurance program regulations currently referenced to but not made actual part of the Zoning regulations, stating such updates as recommended in model regulations prepared by the DEEP could also be addressed at the same time as the accessory apartment regulations and were timely based on the recent storm events resulting in Cornwallians seeking FEMA damage relief.

8. ADJOURNMENT.
Motion made by Mrs. Kearns, seconded by Mrs. Cutler to adjourn at 9M; unanimously approved.

Respectfully submitted,

Karen Griswold Nelson