Monday, August 6, 2012

MINUTES OF THE BETHANY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING OF WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2012 Page 1 of 4
The regular meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:06 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room of the Bethany Town Hall, 40 Peck Road, Bethany, Connecticut.

The following Commission Members were present:

Mary Shurtleff, Vice-Chair, Acting as Chair

Patricia Winer, Member

Kimberly McClure Brinton, Member

Michael Calhoun, Member

Donna Shea, Alternate Member, seated as needed.
The following Commission Members were absent or excused:

Melissa Spear, Chair,

Nellie Rabinowitz, Alternate Member
Also present were:

Isabel Kearns, Zoning Enforcement Officer

Hiram Peck, Planning Consultant
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. It was moved by Brinton and seconded by Calhoun to approve the minutes of the July 11,

2012, Regular Meeting with the following corrections:

Page 4, Third sentence – Reads “Concerned with sheet flow from proposed driveway and if catch basin can handle volume of water.” Change to “They are concerned with sheet flow from proposed driveway and if catch basin can handle volume of water.”

Page 5, Second paragraph from bottom of page – Reads “Isabel Kearns, ZEO, stated Marisa’s father operated an eyelet factory and no longer do that.” Change to “Marisa’s father operated an eyelet factory and no longer does that.”

Page 7, Fourth paragraph – Reads “Further discussion and appropriate action on the application was deferred until the Commission’s next regular meeting on Monday, August 1, 2012.” Change to “Further discussion and appropriate action on the application was deferred until the Commission’s next regular meeting on Wednesday, August 1, 2012.”

Voting for: Shurtleff, Calhoun, Brinton, Shea.

Unanimous approval.
2. It was moved by Calhoun and seconded by Winer to approve, as submitted, the minutes of

the July 15, 2012, Special Meeting/Site Visit.

Voting for: Shurtleff, Winer, Calhoun, Shea.

Unanimous approval
3. It was moved by Calhoun and seconded by Winer to approve, as submitted, the minutes of

the July 18, 2012, Special Meeting.

Voting for: Shurtleff, Winer, Calhoun, Shea.

Unanimous approval.
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE
1. Letter from SCC Regional Water Authority, dated August 1, 2012, Re: Review comments on 327 Litchfield Turnpike, community supported agriculture activity.

2. Letter from Quinnipiack Valley Health District, dated July 26, 2012, Re: Application #2012-016, 61 Russell Road, Review comments.

3. Letter from Isabel Kearns, ZEO, to Richard Janesky of 1052 Amity Road, Re: Notice of Violation pertaining to dirt bike riding and associated noise located at 1052 Amity Road.

4. Letter from Isabel Kearns, ZEO, to Todd Ryker, dated July 16, 2012, Re: Second Notice of Violation for property located at 2 Clay Road.

5. Letter from Isabel Kearns, ZEO, to Garrett Vorio, dated July 16, 2012, Re: Second Notice of Violation for property located at 415 Fairwood Road.

6. Letter from Isabel Kearns, ZEO, to Daniel Dinis, dated July 16, 2012, Re: Second Notice of Violation for property located at 27 Hamilton Drive.

7. Letter from Isabel Kearns, ZEO, to Allyn J. Foss Trust, dated July 16, 2012, Re: Notice of Violation for property located at 93 Lacey Road.

8. Letter from SCCRPC to Town of Cheshire, dated July 16, 2012, Re: Comments on proposed zoning regulation amendment.

9. Letter from SCCRPC to Town of Hamden, dated July 16, 2012, Re: Comments on proposed zoning regulation amendment.
PUBLICATIONS AND WORKSHOPS
1. Connecticut Federation of Planning and Zoning Agencies Quarterly Newsletter, Summer 2012.
BILLS
1) It was moved by Brinton and seconded by Calhoun to approve the payment of $1,000.00 (monthly pro rata basis), for services rendered for July 2012, by Hiram W. Peck III, AICP, Planning Consultant.

Voting for: Shurtleff, Brinton, Winer, Calhoun.

Unanimous approval.
2) It was moved by Brinton and seconded by Calhoun to approve the payment of a bill for $95.00, dated July 18, 2012, from Anne Sohon for recording services for the public hearing (324 Wooding Hill Road).

Voting were: Shurtleff, Brinton, Winer, Calhoun.

Unanimous approval.
ZONING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER’S REPORT AND APPROPRIATE COMMISSION ACTION

Isabel Kearns, ZEO, noted the following:

• That she mailed out second notice of violation to property owners who did not respond to first notice of violation.

• That she mailed out letter to Richard Janesky of 1052 Amity Road pertaining to letter received from neighbors dated June 28, 2012, concerning dirt bike race and jumping course.
NEW BUSINESS
1) 314 Sperry Road – Discussion with Mark Hawes regarding proposed project at 327 Litchfield Turnpike (nonprofit agricultural –
Present for this discussion were Susan Holbrook and Mark Hawes of 314 Sperry Road. Ms. Holbrook distributed a handout to Commission members entitled “Questions to the Planning and Zoning Commission regarding Community Gardening”. Ms. Holbrook then proceeded to read the handout. The Commission referred the handout to Hiram Peck, Planning Consultant, who will work with the ZEO to respond to Ms. Holbrook.
2) 327 Litchfield Turnpike, Application #2012-017 submitted by Toby Fischer for a Home Occupation Permit for a home office for nonprofit agricultural endeavor -
The Commission formally received the application. Present to speak on behalf of this application was Toby Fischer, applicant
Mr. Fischer reviewed his proposal with the Commission as he stated in his packet submitted entitled “Description of Activities Related to Home Occupation”, dated July 30, 2012.
In discussion, some Commission members noted:

• Applicant will follow principles of organic farming but will not be certified.

• Applicant will be using gardening machine (as shown in packet submitted) before season tilling and end of season tilling.

• Applicant stated food will be delivered to customers to avoid traffic on the property.

• Applicant stated there are plans to catch rain water for watering purposes
• Applicant will be submitting a letter from Quinnipiack Valley Health District.
The Commission scheduled a site visit for Wednesday, August 22, 2012, at 6:30 p.m. Commission members to meet at the site.
Further discussion and appropriate action on the application was deferred until the Commission’s next regular meeting on Wednesday, September 5, 2012. Tabled.
OLD BUSINESS
1) 61 Russell Road, Application #2012-016 submitted by Mark Romano for a two-lot subdivision – The ZEO stated the Inland Wetlands Commission has not reviewed this proposed activity at the subject property. Tabled.
2) Discussion and possible action to set public hearing date regarding proposed amendments to the Zoning Regulations on accessory buildings and signage for larger parcels - Hiram Peck, Planning Consultant, stated he needs to finish up on some changes and asked the Commission to review and send comments to him through email. Tabled.
3) Discuss increasing application fees – Hiram Peck, Planning Consultant, stated he is completing his recommendations and will have for next regular meeting. Table
There being no further business to come before the Commission, it was moved by Brinton and seconded by Calhoun to adjourn the regular meeting at 7:59 p.m. Unanimous approval
Respectfully submitted
Antonia R. Marek, Clerk

For the Planning and Zoning Commission