Friday, March 15, 2013

MINUTES OF THE BETHANY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING OF WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013                                                    Page 1 of 3

The regular meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:01 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room of the Bethany Town Hall, 40 Peck Road, Bethany, Connecticut.

The following Commission Members were present:
            Melissa Spear, Chair
            Mary Shurtleff, Vice-Chair
            Michael Calhoun, Member
            Kimberly McClure Brinton, Member
            Patricia Winer, Member
            Nellie Rabinowitz, Alternate Member
            Donna Shea, Alternate Member

Also present were:
            Isabel Kearns, Zoning Enforcement Officer
            Hiram Peck, Planning Consultant


APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1.      It was moved by Shurtleff and seconded by Calhoun to approve, as submitted, the minutes of the February 6, 2013, Regular Meeting.
Voting for:  Spear, Shurtleff, Winer, Calhoun, Brinton.
Unanimous approval.


BILLS

1.)    It was moved by Shurtleff and seconded by Calhoun to approve the payment of $90.00 for membership dues through March 31, 2014, to the Connecticut Federation of Planning and Zoning Agencies.
Voting for:   Spear, Shurtleff, Winer, Brinton, Calhoun.
Unanimous approval.

2.)    It was moved by Winer and seconded by Shurtleff to approve the payment of $1,000.00 (monthly pro rata basis), for services rendered for February 2013, by Hiram W. Peck III, AICP, Planning Consultant.
Voting for:   Spear, Shurtleff, Winer, Brinton, Calhoun.
Unanimous approval.


GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE

1.      Copy of petition to disapprove the proposed zoning change establishing an “Open Space Housing District”, submitted March 6, 2013.



ZONING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER’S REPORT AND APPROPRIATE COMMISSION ACTION

Isabel Kearns, ZEO.  No report at this time.


NEW BUSINESS

1)      696 Amity Road, Application #2013-008 submitted by Mena Argentari    – GIOMAR LLC for a Change of Use – Hair cutting salon

The Commission formally received the application.  No one was present to speak on behalf of this application.  Commission members reviewed the application file, discussed and proceeded to deliberate.

It was moved by Shurtleff and seconded by Calhoun to approve the following resolution for Application #2013-008:

Whereas, Mena Argentari applied on March 6, 2013, to the Bethany Planning and Zoning Commission for a Change of Use Permit to operate a one-seated hair cutting salon located at 696 Amity Road, Units A-9 and B-9;

Whereas, in a letter dated February 14, 2013, Joseph Frouge, owners of 696 Amity Road, Units A-9 and B-9, authorized Mena Argentari to apply for the necessary land-use applications to operate a one-seated hair cutting salon from the subject property;

Whereas, the Commission, at its regular meeting of March 6, 2013, considered the application information, statement of use, testimony and other pertinent information relating to a request for the Change of Use Permit to operate a one-seated hair cutting salon located at 696 Amity Road, Units A-9 and B-9;

Whereas, the Commission finds the subject application in essential compliance with the applicable regulations;

Now Therefore the Commission makes the following findings of fact:
1)                  Quinnipiack Valley Health District issued Permit #2005 on February 13, 2013, for a one-seated hair cutting salon.
2)                  Rod White, Fire Marshal, signed off on the back of the application form on February 29, 2013, indicating his approval of this application.
3)                  The Commission received a letter dated February 26, 2013, from Ron Walters of the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority in which he stated that he has no comments.




Now Therefore Be It Resolved that pursuant to Section 5.5.A. of the Bethany Zoning Regulations, amended to December 7, 2011, the Bethany Planning and Zoning Commission approves the Change of Use Permit to operate a one-seated hair cutting salon located at     696 Amity Road, Units A-9 and B-9 as presented in the application, statement of use and testimony and with the following conditions:
1)                  A building permit for an Interior-Fit-Out must be approved by the Building Official and the Fire Marshal prior to any renovations to or occupancy of the building.
2)                  Applicant must comply with stipulations set forth in Quinnipiack Valley Health District letter dated February 13, 2013.
      Vote 5 to 0.
      Voting for:  Spear, Shurtleff, Winer, Brinton, Calhoun.
Unanimous approval.


OLD BUSINESS

1)      Green Haven, Inc., Application #2013-007 to amend the Bethany Zoning Regulations to add a new Section 23 titled Bethany Open Space Housing District (OSHD)

Hiram Peck, Planning Consultant provided a brief presentation as to what will be discussed at the public hearing.  Mr. Peck recommended the Commission schedule a public hearing date.  The Commission scheduled the public hearing for Wednesday, April 3, 2013, at      7:30 p.m. in the Gymnasium.  Tabled. 


2)      Continue discussion and possible action to set public hearing date regarding proposed amendments to the Zoning Regulations on accessory buildings, signage for larger parcels, home occupation permits, etc. -   Tabled.


3)      Continue discussion on Village Districts  Tabled.


4)      Discuss increasing application fees  Tabled.


There being no further business to come before the Commission, it was moved by Calhoun and seconded by Brinton to adjourn the regular meeting at 7:28 p.m.  Unanimous approval.

Respectfully submitted,


Antonia R. Marek, Clerk
For the Planning and Zoning Commission
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
FEBRUARY 25, 2013
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Attendance:  First Selectwoman Derrylyn Gorski, Donald Shea
First Selectwoman Gorski called the meeting of the Board of Selectmen to order at 7:35 p.m.  The meeting was held in the Selectmen’s Conference Room of the Bethany Town Hall.   Payroll checks were signed.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
First Selectwoman Gorski called for a motion of approval for the minutes of the meeting of January 14, 2013.  The motion was moved by Selectman Shea and seconded by First Selectwoman Gorski.  The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
First Selectwoman Gorski called for a motion of approval for the minutes of the meeting of February 11, 2013.  The motion was moved by Selectman Shea and seconded by First Selectwoman Gorski.  The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
LEGISTLATIVE UPDATE
First Selectwoman Gorski met with April Caprone and Ben Barnes of Office of Policy and Management regarding unfunded mandates and the proposal to eliminate the car tax collected by each town.  If this tax were to be eliminated this would cost the Town of Bethany $1,200,000 in lost revenue.  This loss would have to be added on to the real estate tax to make up the shortfall to balance the budget.  Many towns like Bethany are against this change.  COST members are favoring a fixed mill rate for automobiles throughout the State of Connecticut. 
ADJOURNMENT
Adjournment was called at 7:55 p.m. after a motion was moved by Selectman Shea and seconded by First Selectwoman Gorski.  The vote taken was unanimous.


                                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,
                                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                June G. Riley
                                                                                                                Secretary, Board of Selectmen