PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 8, 2011
Present: Regular members Pat Hare, David Colbert, Heidi Kearns, James LaPorta,
Alternate members Jill Cutler and Stephen Saccardi, commission planning consultant
Tom McGowan and commission staff Karen Griswold Nelson.
Absent: Regular member Josh Tyson and Chris Hopkins.
Others present: Gordon Ridgway and James Young.
Chairman Pat Hare called the meeting to order at 7:05 P.M. in Cornwall Library with a quorum established. All members participated in all of the evening’s proceedings.
Motion made by Mr. LaPorta, seconded by Mrs. Kearns, to amend the agenda to act on agenda item 7 – discussion of “accessory apartments” regulations only prior to all other business so as to allow First Selectman Gordon Ridgway time for input: unanimously approved.
Correspondence prepared by planning consultant McGowan entitled “proposed amendment to Zoning regulations – article supplement regulations revise subsection b as follows – revised to 11/07/2011 – and exceptions to the yard requirements for certain projections and regulations addressed handicapped assess” was made part of the record for discussion.
Mr. Ridgway addressed his concerns regarding limitations being placed on the number of “accessory apartments” allowed per property, suggesting that the Commission consider raising the number of units allowed. Noting the increasing number of big houses in town, Mr. Ridgway urged flexibility in the development of regulations that would allow the conversion of residences to apartments. It was noted that concerns as to numerous apartments in residential zones had been raised at a previous meeting (Joanne Wojtusiak) regarding the possible negative impact to property values. The Commission, with input from Mr.’s Ridgway and Young, addressed the merits of “owner occupancy”, the options of zoning permits versus special permit for certain accessory apartments and other particulars of the proposed regulations distributed for discussion.
Steven Saccardi, in 7:45PM. Discussion continued until 8:05PM at which time the regular meeting was reconvened.
ZONING MEETING:
1. APPLICATIONS FOR ZONING PERMITS.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES. September and October minutes.
Motion made by Mrs. Kearns, seconded by Mr. Saccardi to approve the minutes
of the October meeting with the correction of a “minimum sales list”
to “sales list” top of page 2: unanimously approved.
3. NEW APPLICATIONS: None.
4. PENDING APPLICATIONS. None.
5. OTHER BUSINESS PROPER TO COME BEFORE THE COMMISSION.
6. CORRESPONDENCE AND COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVED.
Griswold Nelson addressed her recent attendance at a November 5, CLEAR Land Use Academy all day seminar at Central Connecticut State University that addressed topics including “Bias, pre-determination, and Conflicts”, “Conditions and Modifications”, “Running a meeting and Making a decision” and procedural matters for all Land Use commissions, including P&Z, ZBA and Inland wetlands. Griswold Nelson encouraged Commission members to consider taking other offerings from the Land Use Academy. The information from the seminar was to be made available to Commission members.
7. WORKSHOP MEETING with Planning Consultant Tom McGowan with discussion to include but not be limited to residential housing options and accessory apartments.
Documents entitled “Recommendation on Conservation Subdivision regulations from Town Plan”, “Zoning regulations for flexible development (FRD) and Conservation Subdivision” (from Granby, CT.) and “Flexible development regs (FRED) Summary Key Points”, prepared by Tom McGowan were made part of the record.
The Commission opened discussion 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.
Mr. McGowan addressed the information supplied, (as referenced above). After a round table discussion, suggestions were made that additional information be provided for the December meeting, including the flexible development (FRD) power point presentation prepared by Fran Armentano, Granby town planner and used at August 2010 presentation in Cornwall, the build out map, and a LID (Low-impact-development) exercise used in the town of Harwinton for comparison between open space and conventional subdivisions.
8. ADJOURNMENT.
Motion made by Mrs. Cutler, seconded by Mr. LaPorta to adjourn at 9:45PM;
unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen Griswold Nelson