MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CORNWALL PLANNING

AND ZONING COMMISSION HELD ON FEBRUARY 8, 2005.

 

A Regular Meeting of the Cornwall Planning and Zoning Commission was held at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, February 8, 2005, in the Cornwall Town Hall.   Present were: Chairman Richard Lynn, presiding; members Patrick Hare, Heidi Kearns and Anne Kosciusko; alternates James LaPorta and Emilie Pryor. James and Emilie were designated to vote for absent members. Land Use Clerk Vera Dinneen was also present.

 

R E G U L A R     M E E T I N G

 

The Minutes of the Regular Meeting of January 11, 2005 were approved as circulated.

 

APPLICATIONS FOR ZONING PERMITS

 

The monthly report of zoning permit activity by staff was briefly reviewed.

 

It was unanimously voted to change the order of the agenda to accommodate Mr. Dutton.

 

NEW BUSINESS      

 

Subdivision Amendment         John Dutton, Town Street

 

The regulations allow a private street grade up to 10%, however anything over 7% grade must be paved. Mr. Dutton is requesting a waiver for that portion of the regulation. Rick Lynn reviewed the requirements for a waiver provision. Members reviewed the as-built that was submitted. Mr. Dutton stated that many communities do not require paving under 10% grade and others would rather not have any paving because they believe that it is better to let the water seep down naturally rather than trying to capture  run-off into drainage systems. Rick read Mr. DuttonŐs reasons for requesting the waiver. It was unanimously voted to approve the waiver request for the following reasons:

 

  1. Adding paving where not necessary is not in keeping with maintaining Cornwall as a rural community.
  2. Maintaining a gravel surface at this location will create no adverse impact on adjacent property or on public health and safety.

3. Maintaining a gravel surface will lessen the amount of impervious surface created.

 

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

Commission                            GIS Natural Resources Mapping

 

As authorized by the Commission, .Rick has sent letters to the Cornwall Conservation Trust and the Cornwall Association requesting $500 from each to facilitate map preparation. The Assessor is in the process of updating maps for her office, which the Commission can then use to have the digitized parcel map prepared. The Commission unanimously authorized the Chairman to enter into a contract with HVA to have the maps prepared as proposed at a cost not to exceed $2500.

 

 

Commission                            Proposed Accessory Apartment regulation changes

 

The Commission reviewed a revised draft of the proposed regulation change. There was discussion about the conversion of older homes into apartments and it was determined that older homes are covered under a different regulation. Upon a suggestion by Anne, it was the consensus of members to remove the requirement that a non-conforming structure be established for a minimum of ten years. It was unanimously voted to send the amended draft to the two regional planning organizations and to set the Public Hearing for April 12, 2005.

 

 

Site Plan Modification David & Valerie Hurlburt, Grange Hall Rd.

 

Mr. Hurlburt has verbally withdrawn his application. It was unanimously voted to table the application until a written letter of withdrawal is submitted.

 

 

Commission                            2005 Budget request

 

Copies of the budget and cover letter addressed to the Selectmen were forwarded to members by Rick. Gordon Ridgway told Rick that he did not feel it was necessary for members to attend the meetings between the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Finance to be held on February 17th and March 17th. Pat Hare stated that the two boards should be advised that budget increase for planning will likely be needed in the coming years to protect against development pressures. Emilie stated that we will also need additional money for the Town Plan update.

 

NEW BUSINESS (continued)

 

Special Permit #193                Joanne Scully, Popple Swamp Road

                                                To establish a general home occupation

 

The application is complete and it was unanimously voted to schedule the Public Hearing for March 8, 2005.

 

 

Commission                            Free Fridays & Town Plan of Development  

 

Rick has spoken with a planning firm called Planimetrics, based in Avon. They are available at no charge on Friday afternoons to meet with Commission members and discuss Town Plan preparation. Members discussed inviting a different planner each month to discuss their ideas with the Commission. Members will compose a set of questions to send to the planners in advance. Members will discuss key growth management issues and compose questions at the March meeting. Other organizations (Land Trust, etc.) may also wish to submit questions. Anne suggested that the Commission ask other towns who have completed their town plans for ideas.

 

 

 

 

 

COMMUNICATIONS

 

Vera Dinneen distributed notices for the annual meeting of the CT Federation of P&Z Agencies.

 

Rick read a letter from Ron Hummel regarding sign violations. It was unanimously voted to add this item to the agenda. The letter cited sandwich board signs and internally lit Coke machines which are in violation of the regulations. Gordon Ridgway suggested Commission representation meet with the Associated Businesses of Cornwall to discuss the issue. Anne Kosciusko stated that the business centers are very small and the signs are necessary. She is willing to work with a committee to revise the sign regulations. It was the consensus of members to wait until after a meeting with ABC in March or April prior to considering any enforcement action.

 

Vera will send a get well card on behalf of the Commission to Karl, who is recovering from surgery,

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:22.   

                       

                                                                        Vera Dinneen, Land Use Clerk