MINUTES OF THE BETHANY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING OF WEDNESDAY, January 15,  2020      Page 1 of 3

 

APPROVED MINUTES WITH AMENDMENTS ON PG 2.

 

The regular meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission was called to order 7:03 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, Chairman

            Bob Harrison, Vice-Chairman

            Donna Shea, Member/Secretary

            Alex Hutchinson, Member

            Rob White, Member

            Brad Buchta, Alternate Member

            Andy Zielinski, Alternate Member    

 

Also present were:

            Hiram Peck, Planning Consultant

            Isabel Kearns, Zoning Enforcement Officer

            Barbara Schellenberg, Esq.

                                                                       

 

PUBLIC HEARING           

    

At 7:00 p.m., Chairman Brinton opened the public hearing in regards to the Proposed Draft of the Zoning Regulations, dated August 2019.

 

Roll Call was taken. Chairman Brinton read the special meeting notice for the public hearing that was submitted to the Town Clerk and announce the legal notice was published properly on the New Haven Register.

 

Chairman Brinton also noted to the public that the board received the following correspondence listed also in the agenda, also copied on the correspondence file for the commissions’ review relative to the subject (See listed exhibit - presented in the general correspondence section below).

 

Present to Speak to provide clarification and answer concerns from the public on the Zoning Regulations, was Hiram Peck, Planning Consultant for the Town of Bethany. Hiram proceeded onto explaining the “Summary of Bethany Zoning Regulations Revisions” which lists the regulations’ condensed summary on related topics. 

 

 

GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE

 

Ø  Exhibit A - Email from Robert Harrison, Commission Vice- Chairman to Toni Marek, Former P&Z Clerk., dated October 03, 2019. Re: Revised Agenda.

 

 

 

 

Ø  Exhibit B - Email from Dominick Thomas, Jr., representing Mr. & Mrs. Farrell I Residents at Green Hill Road) to Isabel Kearns, ZEO., dated October 15, 2019. Re: Consensus Document from Green Hill Road Residents.

Ø  Exhibit C - Letter from Charles Andres, Regional Planning Commission’s Secretary to Antonia Marek, Former P&Z Clerk., dated November 19, 2019. Re: Town of Bethany: Proposed Zoning Regulations Revisions.

Ø  Exhibit D - Letter from Keith D. Rosenfeld, Regional Municipal Planner, NVCOG., to the Planning and Zoning Commission, CEO, Bethany ZEO, RPC Commissioner of Beacon Falls, SCCCOG, NVCOG, and RPC representatives., dated October 25, 2019.. Re: Town of Bethany Planning and Zoning Commission Proposed Changes, updates and/or revisions to the preamble, all sections, and appendices of the Bethany Zoning Regulations.

Ø  Exhibit E - Letter from Norman F. Cole, ,AICP to Kimberly McClure Brinton, Commission Chairman., dated January 8, 2020., Re: Proposed Zoning Amendments.

Ø  Exhibit G - Email from Dominick Thomas, Jr., representing Green Hill Road Residents to Hiram Peck, Bethany Town Planner., dated January 14, 2020., Re: Suggested Changes to Proposed Zoning Regulations; Wood Burning info Packet.

Ø  Exhibit 1G - Submitted by Dominick Thomas, Jr., representing Green Hill Road Residents to the Planning and Zoning Commission., dated January 15, 2020., Re: Suggested Changes to Proposed Zoning Regulations; pictures, and Wood Burning info Packet.

 

Chairman Brinton asked if anyone from the public would like to have questions to address to the commission. The following residents spoke:

 

·         Ann Klatskin of 34 Oak Ridge Drive

·         Dominick Thomas, Jr. from Cohen & Thomas at 315 Main Street, derby, CT 06418, submitted Exhibit 1G.

·         Margaret Quinn of 335 Litchfield Turnpike

·         Eric Frieden of 15 Coachman Lane

·         Sean Foley of 11 Glenwood Court

·         Thomas Mabry of 55 Carmel Road

·         Melissa Pulito of 6 Brookwood Road (Amended Page 2: Reads, Melissa Pulito of 6 Brookwood Road. Changed to Marie Pulito of 6 Brookwood Road.)

 

 

At 8:20 p.m. it was motioned by Hutchinson and seconded by Harrison to continue the discussion as an opened hearing with welcoming comments from the public on the Proposed Draft of the Zoning regulations on a next special meeting with an undetermined date.

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business to come before the Commission, it was moved by Hutchinson and seconded by Harrison to adjourn the regular meeting at 8:25 p.m.

Voting for:  Shea, Harrison, Hutchinson, White, Buchta.

Unanimous approval. (Amended Adjournment: Reads, Voting for:  Shea, Harrison, Hutchinson, White, Buchta. Unanimous approval. Changed to: Shea, Harrison, Hutchinson, White, and Brinton. Unanimous Approval.)

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Lina V. Frazer, Clerk

For the Planning and Zoning Commission

MINUTES OF THE BETHANY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING OF WEDNESDAY, January 8, 2020      Page 1 of 4

APPROVED MINUTES WITH AMENDMENT ON PG. 2

 

The regular meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission was called to order 7:03 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room of the Bethany Town Hall, 40 Peck Road, Bethany, Connecticut.

 

The following Commission Members were present:

            Bob Harrison, Vice-Chairman – Acting as Chairman

            Donna Shea, Member/Secretary

            Alex Hutchinson, Member

            Rob White, Member

            Brad Buchta, Alternate Member, seated as a voting member.

            Andy Zielinski, Alternate Member

 

The following Commission Member was excused:

            Kimberly McClure Brinton, Chairman

 

Also present were:

            Hiram Peck, Planning Consultant

            Isabel Kearns, Zoning Enforcement Officer

         

                                                                                   

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES              

    

·         It was moved by White and seconded by Buchta to approve the minutes, as submitted, of the December 4, 2019, Regular Meeting, Regular Meeting, with the following amendment:

·         Page 4: Reads, Is there connection between the solar system and septic system? Suggestion by Hiram to “approve(d)” pending QVHD approvals. Changed to “approve”.

·         Page 5: Reads: Should a house be built “nest” to the solar array, a screened fencing will be provided if requested. Changed to “next”.

 

 

Voting for:  Shea, Harrison, Hutchinson, White, Buchta.

Unanimous approval.

 

 

BILLS

 

1.      It was moved by Buchta and seconded by Shea to approve the payment of $1,200.00 (monthly pro rata basis), for services rendered for December 2019, by Hiram W. Peck III, AICP, Planning Consultant.

Voting for:  Shea, Harrison, Hutchinson, White, Buchta.

Unanimous approval.

 

 

 

 

 

GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE

 

1)      Letter from Isabel Kearns, ZEO, to Mr. Ernest Trowbridge of 77 Cheshire Road, dated December 13, 2019, Re: Notice of Violation at 77 Cheshire Road.

2)      Letter from Isabel Kearns, ZEO, to Mr.  & Mrs. James Codoret of 44 Old Fairwood Road, dated December 16, 2019, Re: Closing case for the removal of discarded debris from end of driveway at 44 Old Fairwood Road.

3)      Emailed Letter from Gary Capitano, VP at Borghesi Building & Eng. Co, Inc. dated January 8, 2020, Re: Green Light Auto Zoning at 9 Russell Road.

Voting for:  Shea, Harrison, Hutchinson, White.

Unanimous approval.  Buchta Abstained.                                                                                                                                                              

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

Ø  Discussion regarding filing vacancy on Planning and Zoning Commission for an Alternate Member.

 

Comments:

o   Present was Brett Pallotto to be considered as an alternate Planning and Zoning Commission Member.

o   Brad Buchta, Alternate Commission Member will appoint and have Brett Pallotto be sworn in at the February 5, 2020 meeting to allow him to seat as an appointed alternate member at the same meeting.

 

Ø  9 Russell Road – B&I, submitted by Gary Capitanio of Borghesi Building & Eng. Co, Inc for preliminary discussion regarding Green Light Auto (Dave Logue) development on 9 Russell Road.

Present to speak on behalf of Green Light Auto (Mr. Dave Logue) was Gary Capitanio, VP of Borghesi Building & Eng. Co, Inc.

 

Comments:

o   Addressed to the commission about the allotted setbacks requirements for storage and display of vehicles’ merchandise, per concern to being far beyond the property’s setbacks and much closer to the road.

o   The Commission asked Mr. Capitanio, what was Mr. Logue’s proposal regarding the display of the vehicles on the aforementioned property?

o   Hiram and the Commission requested to bring to the next meeting, February 5, 2020, a conceptual sketched plan, displaying all vehicles location referencing where they will be displayed on 9 Russell Road.

o   The Commission also requested a narrative of what will be happening on the site and to make sure that all plans are to be in accordance to QVHD’s proposed requirements.

o   The Commission emphasized that they must meet the 30% of the lot area allowed as per the regulations.

 

Amended - Page 2: Reads, The Commission emphasized that they must meet the 30% of the lot area allowed as per the regulations. Change to: The Commission identified that for Business and Industrial Regulations, 30% can be dedicated to outdoor storage.

 

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

1)      43 and 51 Russell Road, Application #2019-010 submitted by Bill and Wendy Grieger for a Special Exception Permit for outside storage of port-o-lets and heavy equipment for snow plowing. Tabled.

 

2)      43 AND 51 Russell Road – B&I, Application #2019-012 submitted by Bill and Wendy Grieger for Site Plan Approval.

 

Comments:

o   Site plan was found to be deficient on providing the exact storage location.

o   The Commission will wait for Hiram and Town’s Attorney as per what will be acceptable as a resolution for the on the site storage of the port –o-lets.

o   Hiram Peck in collaboration with the Town’s Attorney will work a resolution for the applicant, outlining the Commission’s action. Tabled.

 

3)      Draft Zoning Regulations – Public hearing scheduled for Wednesday, January 15, 2020, in the Gymnasium of the Bethany Town Hall at 7:00 p.m.

 

ZONING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER’S REPORT –

Isabel Kearns, ZEO, submitted the following reports:

·         Building Permits, dated December 3, 2019 to December 19, 2019.

·         Site Visits, dated December 16, 2019

OTHER BUSINESS

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business to come before the Commission, it was moved by White and seconded by Buchta to adjourn the regular meeting at 8:02 p.m.

Voting for:  Shea, Harrison, Hutchinson, White, Buchta.

Unanimous approval.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Lina V. Frazer, Clerk

For the Planning and Zoning Commission

 

 

 

 

MOTIONS OF THE BETHANY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING OF WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2020        Page 1 of 2

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, Chairman

            Bob Harrison, Vice-Chairman                                                          

            Donna Shea, Member/Secretary

            Alex Hutchinson, Member

            Brad Buchta, Alternate Member

            Andy Zielinski, Alternate Member

 

The following Commission Member was excused:

            Rob White, Member

 

Also present were:

            Hiram Peck, Planning Consultant

            Isabel Kearns, Zoning Enforcement Officer

                                                                             

MOTIONS

    

1.      It was moved by Hutchinson and seconded by Shea to approve the minutes, as submitted, of the January 8, 2020, Regular Meeting, with the following amendment:

o   Page 2: Reads, The Commission emphasized that they must meet the 30% of the lot area allowed as per the regulations. Changed to: The Commission identified that for Business and Industrial Regulations, 30% can be dedicated to outdoor storage.

 

Voting for:  Shea, Hutchinson, White, Buchta.

Abstained: Harrison and Brinton.

 

2.      It was moved by Hutchinson and seconded by Harrison to approve the minutes, as submitted, of the January 15, 2020, Regular Meeting, with the following amendment:

o   Page 2: Reads, Melissa Pulito of 6 Brookwood Road. Changed to Marie Pulito of 6 Brookwood Road.

o   Page 2 Adjournment: Reads, Voting for:  Shea, Harrison, Hutchinson, White, Buchta. Unanimous approval. Changed to: Shea, Harrison, Hutchinson, White, Brinton. Unanimous Approval.

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

Unanimous approval.

 

 

3.      It was moved by Harrison and seconded by Hutchinson to approve the payment of $1,200.00 (monthly pro rate basis), for services rendered for January 2020, by Hiram W. Peck III, AICP, Planning Consultant.

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

Unanimous approval.

 

4.      It was moved by Harrison and seconded by Shea to approve the payment of $125.00, for recording services rendered for the public hearing on January 15, 2020, for Donna Cahill.

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

Unanimous approval.

 

 

5.      At 7:15 p.m., it was moved by Harrison and seconded by Shea to appoint Brett Pallotto as an alternate Member for the Planning and Zoning Commission, as proposed on the January 8, 2020, Regular Meeting.

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

Unanimous approval.

 

 

6.      At 7:20 p.m., it was moved by Harrison and seconded by Hutchinson to schedule a Public Hearing for the Special Exception Permits related to the property located at 9 Russell Road. The Public Hearing is to be held on March 4, 2020 to start at 7:15 p.m.

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

Unanimous approval.

 

7.      At 7:30 p.m., it was moved by Harrison and seconded by Zielinski to Deny the Application #2019-012 on the basis of an incomplete non-conforming sketch site plan. See Denial Document Attached for reference.

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

Unanimous approval.

 

8.      At 8:26 p.m., it was moved by Harrison and seconded by Hutchinson to adjourn the meeting.

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

Unanimous approval.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Lina V. Frazer, Clerk

For the Planning and Zoning Commission 

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

FEBRUARY 4, 2020

Page 1 of 3

 

DRAFT MINUTES

 

 

Attendance:  First Selectman Paula Cofrancesco, Selectman Donald Shea, Selectman Derrylyn Gorski

 

Also, in attendance:  Town Attorney Barbara Schellenberg

Visitors:  Bruce Loomis, Sharon Huxley

 

 

1.&2. First Selectman Paula Cofrancesco called the meeting of the Board of Selectmen to order at    7:08 p.m.  The meeting was held in the Selectmen’s Conference Room of the Bethany Town Hall.  As the first order of business, Selectman Cofrancesco asked all to rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

 

3.  APPROVAL OF MINUTES

First Selectman Cofrancesco called for a motion of approval for the minutes of the meeting of

January 13, 2020.   The motion of approval was moved by Selectman Gorski and seconded by Selectman Shea.  There was a minor revision in Item #9 – added sentence which reads “Selectman Gorski recommended checking with the vendor to see if they would be interested in participating”.  Voting for:  Cofrancesco, Shea, Gorski.  Unanimous approval.

 

 

4. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION – ROAD WORK – MOVING FORWARD – UPDATE

·         Selectman Shea stated they are working on Invitations to Bid for road work and working on List of Roads which will be ready for the next meeting.

·         First Selectman Cofrancesco stated information was taken from the BETA report that was received pertaining to the roads from the original list that were not completed in the first phase of the road project.  Additional review of the BETA report indicated other roads that would need work that were not on the original list.

·         Selectman Gorski stated that when working around the Regional Water Authority property to contact RWA and inform them of the work plans so they can work together.

·         First Selectman Cofrancesco stated they are moving forward with the next phase and hope to have everything lined up when paving season starts.

·         Selectman Gorski mentioned that she has signed a check for emergency work on Fairwood Road.  Selectman Shea stated that there was backfilling that needed to be completed from previous road work.

 

 

5. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION – SIMPSON PROPERTY – UPDATE

First Selectman Cofrancesco stated they received the new assessment of $390,000 and are waiting for the family to go through the probate court.  No action taken. Tabled.

 

 

 

 

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

FEBRUARY 4, 2020

Page 2 of 3

 

6. DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE ACTION – SIMPLE RECYCLING (SOFT RECYCLABLES)

First Selectman Cofrancesco noted the following:

·         Met with vendor this morning and Bruce Loomis was in attendance.

·         Need approval to move forward and will get contract revised and forward to Town Attorney for review.

 

Bruce Loomis stated that Simple Recycling will take anything textile as long as it is clean and fits in bag given.  First Selectman Cofrancesco stated the Town of Bethany will not incur any costs for Simple Recycling.  The Company is doing the mailing with the bag and the information, and we will need to promote this properly to start in April around Earth Day. 

 

It was moved by Selectman Shea and seconded by Selectman Gorski to give First Selectman Cofrancesco the authority to complete the process to start the Simple Recycling in the Town of Bethany.

Voting for:  Cofrancesco, Shea, Gorski.  Unanimous approval.

 

 

7. DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE ACTION – TAX REFUNDS

First Selectman Cofrancesco stated that she did not have a list of the tax refunds and that this item should be tabled to the next meeting on February 18, 2020.  Tabled.

 

 

8. DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE ACTION – CEMETERY COMMISSION BYLAWS

First Selectman Cofrancesco stated the Cemetery Commission Bylaws are on hold at this point and that she is working with Kris Sullivan and Will Brinton on trying to identify deeds, plots and names.  Selectman Gorski stated there is a spread sheet that shows who paid for plots in files or on computer in Selectman’s Office.  Tabled.

 

 

9.  RESOLUTION – REGIONAL WATER AUTHORITY – HAZWASTE CENTRAL (HWD) PROGRAM

First Selectman Cofrancesco distributed a Resolution from the South Central Regional Water Authority Confirming Commitment and Participation in a Regional Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center in New Haven, Connecticut.  The Selectmen briefly discussed and proceeded to deliberate.  It was moved by Selectman Gorski and seconded by Selectman Shea to approve the Resolution from the South Central Regional Water Authority Confirming Commitment and Participation in a Regional Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center in New Haven, Connecticut, effective July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2023. Voting for:  Cofrancesco, Shea, Gorski.  Unanimous approval.

 

 

 

 

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

FEBRUARY 4, 2020

Page 3 of 3

 

 

10. OTHER MATTERS PROPER TO COME BEFORE THE MEETING

·         First Selectman Cofrancesco stated that in the Town of Bethany Code Book it states that invitations to bid shall be published in a newspaper but that the Board of Selectmen can waive this requirement.  It was moved by Selectman Shea and seconded by Selectman Gorski to waive the requirement to publish invitations to bid in the newspaper and to publish the invitations to bid on the State of Connecticut DAS Construction Services – List of Invitations to Bid for Contractors.

Voting for:  Cofrancesco, Shea, Gorski.  Unanimous approval.

·         First Selectman Cofrancesco stated she received a letter from MIRA regarding recycling in which they are reaching out to try to expand their business and that the Town is satisfied with the company using now.  No action taken.

·         Selectman Gorski asked how the audit was proceeding.  First Selectman Cofrancesco stated they have asked for an extension until the end of February due to QuickBooks being inaccessible but is now accessible.

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

At 7:39 p.m., it was moved by Selectman Gorski and seconded by Selectman Shea to adjourn the regular meeting.  Unanimous approval.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Antonia R. Marek

Meeting Clerk