PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 11, 2011

Present: Regular members Pat Hare, David Colbert, Heidi Kearns, James LaPorta, Josh Tyson, Alternate members Jill Cutler and Stephen Saccardi, commission planning consultant Tom McGowan and commission staff Karen Griswold Nelson.
Absent: Regular member Chris Hopkins.

PUBLIC HEARING:
App. #218 – B & B Gunsmithing and Outdoor Supply LLC applicant/DeForest H. Benjamin/owner-Special Exception for a home occupation (home based gunsmithing business) in an R-5 zone - Article VIII, Section 19“General Home Occupations”– 115 Furnace Brook Road.
Chairman Pat Hare called the public hearing to order at 7:07 P.M. in Cornwall Library with a quorum established. All regular members were seated for the hearing.
Information made part of the record:
Original application and support information submitted with the application.
The legal notice, as published in the Waterbury Republican on September 30 and October 7th
and receipt of certified mailings previously submitted to the Land Use office.
DeForest “Ben” Benjamin was in attendance to represent the application. Mr. Benjamin addressed the local approval needed in order to obtain his Federal firearms license for the repair of firearms in his Furnace Brook Road residence. Mr. Benjamin stated that the home application would not result in the addition of traffic or signage and that the home based gunsmithing business would not be open to the public. In response to questions (Mrs. Kearns) regarding “buying and selling”, Mr. Benjamin stated that while the license granted him the ability to buy, sell and trade, that such retail component of his business would be kept to a minimum. In response to questions, Mr. Benjamin outlined the process of testing firearms within a tube, the amount of time spent as a licensed gunsmith (about 11 years) and the federal inspection process that allows unannounced inspections at any time (24/7). In response to questions, Mr. Benjamin addressed the agricultural component of his Furnace Brook property (Christmas trees and corn), his contracting business and the floor area of his residence (basement bench) to be used for his business. The information made part of his application was reviewed with direction given that a floor plan drawn to scale showing the actual location of his home based business, associated parking and information as to a minimum sales list and traffic generation was required by the regulations for special permit applications.
The floor was opened to the public for question and comment. Hearing none and with agreement that the required information listed could be submitted for review and approval to the Land Use office/ZEO after the close of the hearing and made a condition of approval:
Motion made by Mr. Tyson, seconded by Mr. Colbert, to close the public hearing for App#218; unanimously approved.

Motion made by Mr. Colbert, seconded by Mr. Saccardi to change the order of business to act on 4A - App 218 prior to all to other business: unanimously approved.
App. #218 – B & B Gunsmithing and Outdoor Supply LLC applicant/DeForest H. Benjamin/owner-Special Exception for a home occupation (home based gunsmithing business) in an R-5 zone - Article VIII, Section 19“General Home Occupations”– 115 Furnace Brook Road.
Motion made by Mrs. Kearns, seconded by Mr. Tyson to approve App. #218 – B & B Gunsmithing and Outdoor Supply LLC applicant/DeForest H. Benjamin/owner-Special Exception for a home occupation (home based gunsmithing business) in an R-5 zone - Article VIII, Section 19“General Home Occupations”– 115 Furnace Brook Road as per the oral and written testimony of the record with the following conditions:
Prior to the issuance of the permit, written correspondence is to be received and approved by the Land Use office showing all additional information requested including a site plan showing the location of the home based business within the residence and onsite parking, a minimum sales list and information regarding traffic generation;
As part of the approval, as the Commission has determined that the Special Exception Application complies with all the criteria of Article VIII, Section 19“General Home Occupations”, satisfies the Site Plan Criteria as prescribed in Article VI and satisfies the General standards for all special exception (as prescribed in Article VIII, subsection .5 “General Standards” with the conditions and findings as listed. Motion unanimously approved.

ZONING MEETING:
1. APPLICATIONS FOR ZONING PERMITS. None listed with the agenda.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES. September regular meeting minutes.
Deferred at the request of staff.

3. NEW APPLICATIONS: None.

4. PENDING APPLICATIONS.
A. App. #218 – B & B Gunsmithing and Outdoor Supply LLC applicant/DeForest H. Benjamin/owner-Special Exception for a home occupation (home based gunsmithing business) in an R-5 zone - Article VIII, Section 19“General Home Occupations”– 115 Furnace Brook Road.

5. OTHER BUSINESS PROPER TO COME BEFORE THE COMMISSION.

6. CORRESPONDENCE AND COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVED.

7. WORKSHOP MEETING with Planning Consultant Tom McGowan with discussion to include but not be limited to residential housing options and accessory apartments.
Draft document prepared by planning consultant Tom McGowan, entitled “Draft 10.6.11 Revised Article VIII, Section 8.10 “Accessory Apartments” was reviewed with changes and modifications to be incorporated into the draft for review at the October meeting. Input and questions from the public was allowed.

8. ADJOURNMENT.
Motion made by action of the chairman to adjourn at 10:00PM; unanimously approved.

Respectfully submitted
Karen Griswold Nelson