MINUTES OF THE BETHANY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING OF WEDNESD

The regular meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:02 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room of the Bethany Town Hall, 40 Peck Road, Bethany, Connecticut.

 

The following Commission Members were present:

            Kimberly McClure Brinton, Chair

            Michael Calhoun, Member and Secretary

            Donna Shea, Member

            Bob Harrison, Member

            Alex Hutchinson, Member

            Brad Buchta. Alternate Member

Carol Lambiase, Alternate Member

 

The following Commission Member was absent:

            Eric McDonald, Alternate Member

 

Also present were:

             Hiram Peck, Planning Consultant

             Isabel Kearns, Zoning Enforcement Officer

             Kevin McSherry, Town Attorney

 

 

Members introduced themselves to the new members and then the new members (Harrison and Hutchinson) introduced themselves.

 

 

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

 

It was moved by Calhoun and seconded by Harrison to accept and approve the nomination of Kimberly McClure Brinton as Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission for the term of July 2017 to June 2018.

Voting for:  Calhoun, Shea, Harrison, Hutchinson.

Unanimous approval.

 

It was moved by Shea and seconded by Harrison to accept and approve the nomination of Michael Calhoun as Vice-Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission for the term of July 2017 to June 2018.

Voting for:  Brinton, Shea, Harrison, Hutchinson.

Unanimous approval.

 

It was moved by Calhoun and seconded by Harrison to accept and approve the nomination of Donna Shea as Secretary of the Planning and Zoning Commission for the term of July 2017 to June 2018.

Voting for:  Brinton, Calhoun, Harrison, Hutchinson.

Unanimous approval.

 

 

It was moved by Hutchinson and seconded by Shea to accept and approve the nomination of Michael Calhoun as Representative to the South Central Regional Planning Commission for the term of July 2017 to June 2018.

Voting for:  Brinton, Shea, Harrison, Hutchinson.

Unanimous approval.

 

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES                

            

1. It was moved by Calhoun and seconded by Harrison to approve, as submitted, the minutes of the June 7, 2017, Regular Meeting.
   Voting for:  Brinton, Calhoun, Shea, Harrison, Hutchinson.

      Unanimous approval.

 

 

 

BILLS

 

1. It was moved by Calhoun and seconded by Shea to approve the payment of $1,200.00 (monthly pro rata basis), for services rendered for June 2017, by Hiram W. Peck III, AICP, Planning Consultant.

Voting for:  Brinton, Calhoun, Shea, Harrison, Hutchinson.

Unanimous approval.

 

1. It was moved by Calhoun and seconded by Harrison to approve the payment of a bill for $125.00, dated for July 5, 2017, from Anne Sohon for recording services for the public hearing (300 Bear Hill Road).
   Voting for:  Brinton, Calhoun, Shea, Harrison, Hutchinson.

Unanimous approval.

 

 

 

GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE

 

1. Email from John Paul Garcia, P.E./L.S. dated June 9, 2017, Re:  667 Amity Road, pole height and pictures of netting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PUBLIC HEARING CONTINUATION

 

• 300 BEAR HILL ROAD, Application #2017-007 submitted by Pyramid Network Services to install a 110-foot monopole radio antenna for public safety –
   

At 7:20 p.m., Chair Brinton called the public hearing to order.   Roll call was taken.  Chair Brinton read the legal notice for the public hearing. 

 

Present to speak on behalf of the application was Former Fire Chief Bob McSherry.

 

Mr. McSherry noted in discussion:

• The application read 100-foot antenna.  Mr. McSherry amended application to read 110-foot antenna.
• This is a residential area where antenna will be located but monopole is a lot less conspicuous.
• Area where antenna will be mounted will be fenced in and shrubs will be planted around the fenced area.
• Do not have to go to Siting Council because this is a municipality project.
• Current radio coverage for the BVFD will be doubled for the public radio system for Bethany.
• A lot of trees surrounding abutting property owners.

 

Isabel Kearns, ZEO, read Section 22.7.A. of the Zoning Regulations which states no tower may be approved which exceeds 100 feet in height.

 

Kevin McSherry, Town Attorney, stated the tower being proposed is 110 feet and the Zoning Regulations only allows a 100-foot tower, therefore, the applicant will have to obtain a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals.

 

Chair Brinton asked if anyone from the public would like to speak in favor of the application or against the application.  

 

Clark Hurlburt, Board of Selectmen, stated the Board of Selectmen support the BVFD 100% on this project for public safety.

 

At 7:55 p.m., it was moved by Calhoun and seconded by Shea to continue the public hearing to the next regular meeting on Wednesday, August 2, 2017, at 7:15 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room of the Bethany Town Hall.

Unanimous approval.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

1. 667 AMITY ROAD, Application #2017-008 submitted by Matt Micros/667 Amity Road, LLC for a Special Exception Permit to allow crushing and screening onsite –

 

The Commission formally received the application.  Present to speak on behalf of the application was John Paul Garcia, P.E./L.S., representing the applicant.

 

Mr. Garcia noted in discussion:

• Would like to crush ledge; approximately 2,500 cubic yards of ledge.
• We have notified the Inland Wetlands Commission and the SCC Regional Water Authority.

 

Hiram Peck, Planning Consultant, mentioned the applicant obtain a letter from QVHD and submit specifications on the rock crusher.

 

It was moved by Calhoun and seconded by Shea to schedule a public hearing date of Wednesday, August 2, 2017, at 7:15 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room of the Bethany Town Hall.  Unanimous approval.

 

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

1. 300 BEAR HILL ROAD (BVFD Hinman Station), Application #2017-007 submitted by Pyramid Network Services to install a 100-foot monopole radio antenna for public safety – Public hearing continued to August 2, 2017.  Tabled.
    
    
2. Proposed amendment to Section 7 – Signs and Parking & Loading Regulations – to add Subsection 7.3.1 – Special Exception for lighted signs in the B&I Zone - Public hearing scheduled for December 7, 2016 –

 

Hiram Peck, Planning Consultant distributed two handouts as follows:

• Revised draft dated July 5, 2017, Sign Regulations.
• Examples of Acceptable/Unacceptable Lighting Fixtures.

 

Mr. Peck reviewed each and asked members to look at and make any revisions for next meeting.

Tabled.

 

 

1. Discussion regarding accessory apartments –Tabled. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ZONING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER’S REPORT –

Isabel Kearns, ZEO, stated she would email her report to Commission members.

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

It was moved by Calhoun and seconded by Hutchinson to adjourn the regular meeting at        8:47 p.m.

Voting for:  Brinton, Calhoun, Shea, Harrison, Hutchinson.

Unanimous approval.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Antonia R. Marek, Clerk

for the Planning and Zoning Commission

 

 

AY, JULY 5, 2017                                                        Page 1 of 5