MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING AND PUBLIC HEARING OF THE CORNWALL PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION HELD ON MAY 11, 2004.

A Regular Meeting of the Cornwall Planning and Zoning Commission was held at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, May 11, 2004, in the Cornwall Town Hall. Present were: Chairman Richard Lynn, presiding; members David Colbert, Patrick Hare, Anne Kosciusko, Doc Simont and alternate Heidi Kearns (at 7:40). Heidi was designated to vote for Chris Hopkins. Also present were Land Use Administrator Karl Nilsen and Land Use Clerk Vera Dinneen. The Meeting adjourned to the Public Hearing at 7:37pm and reconvened at 7:43pm.

PUBLIC HEARING

Special Permit #188 Blaine Matthews, Kent Rd.

To expand a building containing an existing nonconforming use

Mr. Matthews presented the application. He is requesting three 40 x 8 storage containers and a paved, covered walkway to them. The walkway will not be enclosed. The containers will be behind the building and unseen from the road. They will be parallel to the freezer unit installed last year. He will also be adding more parking and the driveway will extend to the storage containers. They will not be visible from the Appalachian Trail. The freezer unit sits on stones, but the storage containers will sit on gravel. No one else spoke either for or against the application and the hearing on it was closed at 7:43pm. Copies of the green cards from adjoining property owners were presented. A tape recording was made and is a part of these Minutes.

R E G U L A R M E E T I N G

The Minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 13, 2004 were unanimously approved with the deletion of the following sentence under Dutton Waiver Request “The approved map kept the driveway away from the wetlands.”

APPLICATIONS FOR ZONING PERMITS

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

OLD BUSINESS

Special Permit #188 Blaine Matthews, Kent Rd.

To expand a building containing an existing nonconforming use

Karl Nilsen stated that the application is complete. Doc Simont explained that the purpose of the regulations involving the former IR Zone is to allow existing businesses to expand under special regulations.

It was unanimously voted to approve the Special Permit.

It was unanimously voted to change the order of the agenda.

NEW BUSINESS

Special Permit #189 Town of Cornwall, Pine St.

To construct a ball field, parking lot, and recreation center

First Selectman Gordon Ridgway presented preliminary plans for the recreation facility and a new parking area. Approximately 40-50 parking spaces will be available, with overflow. The entrance has been changed to allow for a better sight line. A walking path around the perimeter was suggested by Torrington Area Health to keep the tick population down on the field. The pavilion will be an open air pole barn structure. A bus turnaround is proposed for visiting teams, which may be paved. Members expressed concern that it seemed like a very large paved area for a bus turn around that will rarely be used. Basketball hoops may also be installed. The baseball field may be turned to avoid the sun angle. Gordon spoke to Duke Besozzi whose sisters own the driveway between the soccer fields and the proposed playing field/parking lot. Duke will try to convince his sisters to grant an easement to the town. A fence will be installed to prevent people and activity from entering the Besozzi property. Only 4 acres of the 8.8 acres will be used. Doc Simont and Pat Hare asked about a footbridge and walkway from Jewell Street to the recreation area. Gordon said that it is not in the plan at this time. Doc and Pat said that the subject was raised when the town purchased the property. Members encouraged Gordon to research: pedestrian access from Jewell Street to the playing fields; a solution from DOT for children crossing Route 4 from Pierce Lane and a drafted letter of intent from the Besozzi family granting an easement/right of way. It was unanimously voted to schedule the public hearing for June 8^th.

8-24 Referral Town of Cornwall

Parking lot, ball field and recreation center on Route 4

Karl Nilsen presented a draft resolution in support of the proposal. He explained that the 8-24 review process is not for site plan approval, but for review of the proposed land use. It was unanimously voted to approve the resolution as drafted. The resolution is attached and hereby made a part of these minutes.

OLD BUSINESS (continued)

Commission Update of Planning Tasks

Anne Kosciusko stated that she has now proofread about half of the zoning regulations. Rick Lynn stated that he plans to meet with Karl to review staff comments on the updated zoning and subdivision texts. Pat spoke about the value of a build-out analysis in presenting the case for TDR’s. Rick stated that legislation is proposed to do a statewide build-out analysis. Pat and Dave Colbert stated that efforts on TDR’s are on hold until a buildout study can be done.

COMMUNICATIONS

Rick reminded members of upcoming training events:

“Revitalizing Main Street” May 24^th, Sharon Town Hall

“Site Plan Review” May 27^th, Litchfield Fire House

Planning and Zoning related legislation. This session was then reviewed.

Most Smart Growth bills did not pass. As of July 1^st the State will raise land use fees to $30 ($28 to the State and $2 to the Town)

Karl reported that as of July 1^st habitat within the wetlands can be considered, outside of wetlands can not be considered.

Dave Colbert shared an article from the Litchfield County Times about efforts that New Hartford has made to preserve open space.

Pat reported on an article from the Hartford Courant regarding the widening of Route 4 in Harwinton.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 8:45pm.

Vera Dinneen, Land Use Clerk

NOTE – THESE MINUTES ARE A DRAFT. THEY WILL BE NOTED AS FINAL ONLY AFTER THEY ARE REVIEWED AND APPROVED AS DRAFTED OR AS MODIFIED AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING OF THE CORNWALL P&Z COMMISSION.