MINUTES OF THE
BETHANY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING/PUBLIC HEARING CONTINUATION
OF WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 2014
Page 1
of 4
The following Commission Members
were present:
Kimberly McClure Brinton, Chairman
Salvatore
Amadeo, Vice-Chairman
Michael
Calhoun, Member and Secretary
Michael
Sullivan, Member
Donna
Shea, Alternate Member
Bradford
Buchta, Alternate Member
James
Gugliotti, Alternate Member
The following Commission Member was
excused:
Douglas
Goldner, Member
Also present were:
Isabel Kearns, Zoning Enforcement
Officer
Karen
Hubbell, Assistant Zoning Enforcement Officer
Hiram
Peck, Planning Consultant
Peter
Olson, Special Counsel
PUBLIC HEARING
·
Application #2014-006 for zoning text
amendments to the Bethany Zoning Regulations to amend the title of the existing
Section 9A by adding “Age Restricted” and to create a new Section 9B - “Housing
Opportunity Development” (HOD) District.
·
Application #2014-007 to change the zone
district designation of 4 Meyers Road 21
Meyers Road Bethany , Connecticut
·
Application #2014-008 to obtain a site plan
approval for new construction of 30 homes and related improvements for a
housing development to be named Rocky Corner, at 4 Meyers Road (Assessor’s May
119, Lot 7) & 21 Meyers Road (Assessor’s Map 119, Lot 4), Bethany,
Connecticut -
Approximately 70 individuals were in attendance for the
public hearing continuation for Applications #2014-006, #2014-007, and
#2014-008 submitted by Green Haven Inc. for the property located at 4 and 21 Meyers Road
At 7:06 p.m., Chair Brinton called the public hearing to
order. Chair Brinton stated that tonight
will be questions from the Commission members and Consultants. Also, Chair Brinton mentioned that public
comments will be continued to April 16, 2014.
Chair Brinton also stated the Commission had conducted a
site walk on March 15, 2014.
Chair Brinton read the list of correspondence that has been
received as follows:
- Letter
from Rod White, Fire Marshal, dated March 19, 2014, Re: Concerns and recommendations pertaining
to proposed project at 4 and
- Letter
from Michael Katzmark, Water Source Officer, dated March 5, 2014, Re: Requesting PZC table vote until BVFD and
Fire Marshal’s Office receive complete sets of architectural and site
plans.
- Email
from Michael Katzmark, Water Source Officer, dated March 5, 2014, Re: Measurement of fire apparatus and items
to be incorporated into the drawings.
- Email
from Michael Katzmark, Water Source Officer, dated March 5, 2014, Re: Fire truck turning movements with four
diagrams attached.
- Email
from Michael Katzmark, Water Source Officer, dated March 5, 2014, Re: Revised site plans showing emergency
access from
- Letter
from Patricia Stewart of
- Letter
from Anthony Esposito of
- Submitted
by Anthony Esposito, copy of a map entitled, “Properties Affected by the
Proposed Zoning Change”,
- Submitted
by Anthony Esposito, seven pages of a petition entitled, “Stop Dense
Development in
- Submitted
by Anthony Esposito, 30 pages of petition regarding the proposed zoning
change permitting cluster housing on the former Halter farm.
- Received
9 blue cards with signatures regarding the proposed zoning change
permitting cluster housing on the former Halter Farm.
- Letter
from Thelma Lumpkin of
- Letter
from Nadia and Richard Correale of
- Letter
from Freida and Jonathan Marcus of
- Letter
from Joseph Monahan of
- Letter
from Kathleen Ross of
Other correspondence received during the public hearing.
- Letter
from Ron Walters, South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority,
dated March 19, 2014, Re: Review
comments on revised plans dated to March 4, 2014.
- Submitted
by Attorney Smith, a copy of letter from State of Connecticut Department
of Public Health to Directors of Health, Chief Sanitarians & Design
Engineers, dated October 1, 2009, Re:
DPH Plan Reviews and Fees for Subsurface Sewage Disposal Systems.
- Submitted
by Attorney Smith, a letter of consent to extension of time from Chris
Smith, authorized agent for the applicant, to the Planning and Zoning
Commission, dated March 19, 2014,
to continue the public hearing to April 17, 2014.
Fire Marshal Rod White addressed the Commission in regard to
the letter he submitted for the public hearing record dated March 19,
2014. Mr. White stated that the main
concern is water supply and that this type of housing does present
concerns. Mr. White stated the applicant
is working towards addressing the concerns of the Fire Marshal Office and the
Bethany Volunteer Fire Department.
Ron Walters of the South Central Regional Water Authority
addressed the Commission in regard to the revised letter he submitted for the
public hearing record dated March 19, 2014. Mr. Walters stated that the Regional Water
Authority is responsible for providing water to this development and is working
with the applicant in designing the water system as mentioned in his letter
submitted.
The following individuals, representing Green Haven, were
present for the public hearing to answer questions from the Commission members:
- Christopher Smith, Land
Use Attorney, and Partner of Law Firm, Shipman and Goodwin.
- Thomas Daly, P.E. and
Principal of Milone & MacBroom.
- Melissa Kops of
Centerbrook Architects.
Commission members addressed the applicant’s representatives
with questions relating to some of the following areas:
- Detention
ponds/Storm water management.
- Turning
movement of fire trucks.
- Parking
spaces per unit.
- Common
house accessibility.
- Proposed
amendment Section 9B.8.c., earth grading/excavation activities shall not
be required.
- Lighting
plan.
- Pathways
not shown on site plan but on artistic drawing in blue packet submitted
February 12, 2014.
- Future
expansion exceeding the current 30 home plan.
- Farming
areas will be agricultural easements so there will be no future
development.
- Workforce
housing incomes.
- Association
documents would be under control Master Association.
- Septic
systems – whose responsibility if one fails.
- Water
supply system.
- Parking
area near Common House is visible to adjoining property owner.
Peter Olson, Special Counsel, addressed the applicant’s
representatives with concerns and requests.
Some of these are as follows:
- Need
to submit copy of motion from prior application for Halter Estates Superior
Court initial decision and supplement decision, which addresses
jurisdiction for DPH and provides for a plan for that project to get
septic approval.
- Circular
letter from DPH needs to be submitted which was referenced by Attorney
Smith this evening.
- Need
to adjust calculations in data for affordability plan for 2014 for Bethany
in New Haven area.
- Proposed
administrator is the applicant. Is
the applicant qualified to be administrator?
- The
administrator should report to the town on each transaction to make sure
applicants are qualified.
- Asked
applicant to consider advertising the availability of these units to Town
employees and current residents in Town.
- Confusing
how many bedrooms in each unit.
Provide a summary page.
- Section
9A to be deleted if proposed Section 9B approved.
- Areas
not devoted to houses, would like draft easements submitted. Conservation easement allows farming but
does not allow building.
- In
proposed Section 9B.2 Permitted Uses, clarify there will be an intention
of selling farm produce from the property under c. Agricultural or farming
uses.
Hiram Peck, Planning Consultant, did not have any questions
at this time but stated he is looking forward to reviewing the revised site
plans.
The Commission set a date of April 2, 2014, that the
applicant will submit the information requested so Commission members and
Consultants can review before the next hearing continuation.
At 8:50, Chair Brinton recessed the public hearing and
continued it to a Special Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, April 16, 2014, at
7:00 p.m. in the Gymnasium of the Bethany
Town Hall
Attorney Smith submitted a letter of consent to the extension
of time to the Planning and Zoning Commission, dated March 19, 2014, to
continue the public hearing to April 17, 2014.
Respectfully submitted,
Antonia R. Marek, Clerk
For the Planning and Zoning Commission
