MINUTES OF THE BETHANY ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS REGULAR
MEETING OF MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2013 Page 1 of 3
The regular meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals 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 Board Members were present:
Carol Goldberg, Chair
Ruth Beardsley, Vice Chair
James Gugliotti, Member
Margaret Foley, Alternate Member, seated as a voting member.
Lisa Gaw, Alternate Member, seated as a voting member.
The following Board Members were absent or excused:
Walter Briggs, Member
Steven Massey, Member
Frances Doba, Alternate Member
Also present was: Isabel Kearns, Zoning Enforcement Officer
MINUTES
It was moved by Beardsley and seconded by Foley to approve, as submitted, the minutes of the October 9, 2012, Regular Meeting.
Voting for: Goldberg, Beardsley, Foley.
Abstained were: Gugliotti, Gaw.
Unanimous approval.
BILL
It was moved by Gugliotti and seconded by Gaw to approve the payment of a bill for $95.00, dated April 8, 2013, from Anne Sohon for recording services for the public hearing (87 Old Amity Road).
Voting for: Goldberg, Beardsley, Gugliotti, Gaw, Foley.
Unanimous approval.
PUBLIC HEARING – 87 OLD AMITY ROAD
Chair Goldberg opened the public hearing in regard to the application from Robert Weidig for a locational approval for a motor vehicle dealer and repairer located at 87 Old Amity Road at 7:25 p.m. Roll call was completed. Chair Goldberg read the legal notice into the hearing record for the public hearing.
Chair Goldberg reviewed the procedure that would be followed to conduct the public hearing.
Isabel, Zoning Enforcement Officer, briefly reviewed the applicant’s proposal to operate a towing business and submitted a map (Exhibit 1A) which shows other automotive businesses in the same area as 87 Old Amity Road.
Chair Goldberg noted that the Board received the following items relative to the subject application. Exhibit identification was assigned as noted:
1) Exhibit 1A – Map entitled, “Town of Bethany, Geographic Information System”, with hand drawn markings in red, submitted by Isabel Kearns, Zoning Enforcement Officer.
Present to speak on behalf of the application was Robert Weidig, applicant and his friend, Richard Bohannah of 631 Litchfield Turnpike. Mr. Weidig stated he needs this locational approval for a motor vehicle dealer and repairer so that he can acquire his license from the State of Connecticut to tow vehicles. Mr. Weidig also stated he is mandated by the State of Connecticut to sell 3 cars per year to keep this license.
In discussion, some Board members noted:
• There are no schools, churches, theaters or other public gatherings on Old Amity Road.
• This proposed business is similar to other businesses in the same area.
• There will be one entrance from Old Amity Road.
Chair Goldberg asked if there were any public members who would like to speak in favor of the application. There were no comments.
Chair Goldberg asked if there were any public members who would like to speak in opposition of the application. There were no comments.
There being no further discussion, at 7:44 p.m. Chair Goldberg closed the public hearing on the subject application.
DELIBERATION AND DECISION MAKING SESSION
Board members further discussed the application and proceeded to deliberate.
It was moved by Beardsley and seconded by Gaw that the Bethany Zoning Board of Appeals approves the application of Robert Weidig for the property located at 87 Old Amity Road and shown on Assessor’s Map #119, Lot #2 for location approval for a motor vehicle dealer and motor vehicle repairer.
Based upon the evidence presented at the public hearing and the facts revealed by the Board’s general acquaintance with the Town and with the general locality of the subject property, the Board makes the following findings having given due consideration to the proposed location of the proposed business in reference to schools, churches, traffic conditions, width of highway, and effect on public travel:
1) The record supports issuing the Certificate of Location approval.
2) The record before the Board demonstrates that the location is suitable for the business intended.
Voting for: Goldberg, Beardsley, Gugliotti, Gaw, Foley.
Vote 5 to 0.
Unanimous approval.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Commission, it was moved by Gugliotti and seconded by Gaw to adjourn the regular meeting at 7:49 p.m. Unanimous approval.
Respectfully submitted,
Antonia R. Marek, Clerk
For the Zoning Board of Appeals
