Planning & Zoning Commission

Minutes of the Planning & Zoning Commission Regular Meeting – January 9, 2019 Page 1 REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MIDDLETOWN CONNECTICUT JANUARY 9, 2019 1. Pledge of Allegiance Chairman Devoto called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM with the Pledge of Allegiance. 2. Roll Taking Present: Commissioner Stephen Devoto Commissioner Nicholas Fazzino Commissioner Joyce Rossiter Commissioner Richard Pelletier Commissioner Molly Salafia Commissioner Elizabeth Emery Commissioner Steven Kovach (seated for Commissioner Brown) Commissioner Thom Pattavina Commissioner Christopher Sugar Absent: Commissioner Tyrell Brown Staff: Joseph Samolis, Director of PCD Mark DeVoe, City Planner Public: None 3. Items removed from the agenda and why Item #6.1 to be tabled until the February 13th meeting per request of a 65 day extension from the applicant. 4. Public comment on items on agenda which are not currently scheduled for a public hearing None 5. ZEO Certification that all public hearing signs have been properly noticed (when scheduled) Director Samolis stated that there are no public hearings scheduled for tonight as applicant requested a 65 day extension. 6. Public Hearings (when scheduled) Minutes of the Planning & Zoning Commission Regular Meeting – January 9, 2019 Page 2 1) Request for a Special Exception regarding 60.02.41, 44.08.45 and 46.03.04 for a mixed use building approximately 4,200 square feet in the MX zone within the floodplain at 387 South Main Street. Applicant/agent John S. Sutton SE2018-6 (Date of receipt 11/14/18; Scheduled for public hearing on 12/12/18; 65 day extension requested by applicant; Public Hearing rescheduled to February) Commissioner Fazzino moves to table to February 13th per applicant’s request for a Special Exception regarding 60.02.41, 44.08.45 and 46.03.04 for a mixed use building approximately 4,200 square feet in the MX zone within the floodplain at 387 South Main Street. Commissioner Kovach seconds the motion. The chair calls for the vote. The chair states the matter passes unanimously with 7 affirmative votes. 7. Old Business 1) Request for release of a $900 driveway bond for Lot #1, Mile Lane with the condition that the surveyor sends letter stating that the property corners have been pinned. Applicant/ Agent Coccomo Brothers, LLC S2013-4 Director Samolis states that the Public Works Dept. has reviewed and approved the site work and the letter stating that the corners have been pinned from the surveyor has been received so staff recommends approval. Commissioner Pelletier moves for approval for the release of a $900 driveway bond for Lot #1, Mile Lane with the condition that the surveyor sends letter stating that the property corners have been pinned. Commissioner Kovach seconds the motion. The chair calls for the vote. The chair states the matter passes unanimously with 7 affirmative votes. 2) Request for release of Public Works $68,000 bond and reduction of Water/Sewer bond from $10,000 to $5,000 for the Ridgeview Subdivision, Pashley Lane at Higby Road. Applicant/Agent Robert Wiedenmann, Jr. S2008-7 Director Samolis states that the PCD Dept. has received comments from the Water Sewer and Public Works Depts. Water Sewer has indicated that all items have been addressed and recommends total release of the bond for a total of $78,000. Commissioner Fazzino moves for release of Public Works $68,000 bond and Water/Sewer bond for $10,000 for the Ridgeview Subdivision, Pashley Lane at Higby Road. Commissioner Richard Pelletier seconds the motion. The chair calls for the vote. The chair states the matter passes unanimously with 7 affirmative votes. 8. New Business 1) Request for a favorable G.S. 8-24 Review for the purchase and transfer of development rights for the Chiaravallo Farm located on Higby Road at a maximum cost of $72,000. Applicant/agent City of Middletown/PCD Dept. 2019-1 Minutes of the Planning & Zoning Commission Regular Meeting – January 9, 2019 Page 3 Director Samolis explained that the Chiaravallo family had contacted the State Dept. of Agriculture to transfer their development rights. The State Dept. of Agriculture then went to the Federal Government to see if there was any grant money available. Working with the Connecticut Farm Trust they reached an agreement where there would be grant money for the State Dept. of Agriculture to purchase the development rights for this 21 acre parcel. Commissioner Pelletier moves for a favorable G.S. 8-24 Review for the purchase and transfer of development rights for the Chiaravallo Farm located on Higby Road at a maximum cost of $72,000. Commissioner Kovach seconds the motion. A discussion ensued. The chair calls for the vote. The chair states the matter passes unanimously with 7 affirmative votes. 9. Public comment on topics which are not or have not been the subject of a public hearing None 10. Minutes of the Regular Meeting, Transcripts, Staff Reports and Commission Affairs 10.1 Minutes of November 14, 2018 Commissioner Rossiter moves for approval of the minutes of November 14, 2018 with corrections as discussed. Commissioner Kovach seconds the motion. The chair calls for the vote. The chair states the matter passes unanimously with 7 affirmative votes. 10.2 Other Commission Affairs a. River-Cog Report – There was no report as there was no meeting. Director Samolis stated that there was a recommendation made by the new Governor’s transition team to reevaluate the RiverCog and look into merging Cogs. There is very little information at this point. RiverCog is looking into the recommendation to see what is going on. In concept, regionalization could be a great thing, but it might behoove us to take a look at the constitution of those Cogs to make sure that municipalities don’t lose their voice. In Joe’s opinion, other municipal issues may not affect the Cogs that currently exist. It could have a negative impact on what we are trying to do regionally with Middlesex County. b. Mark DeVoe asked the Commission what their preferences were on report formats. In his position as Town Planning in Plainville they would try to get a report as a one page document. Joe Samolis handed out a copy of such a report. He asked if the Commission would like him to write such a report. He received favorable remarks and the Commission is looking forward to receiving the reports. c. Commissioner Emery asked the Director to bring everyone up to speed on where they were with the Plan of Conservation and Development and the next steps that need to move forward. Director Samolis said that an RFQ was sent out for help with the department and Commission on the Plan of Conservation and Development. There were 3 submissions. Minutes of the Planning & Zoning Commission Regular Meeting – January 9, 2019 Page 4 The presentations will be held during the day on January 23rd and all members of the Commission are welcome to attend. He gave a list of the individuals on the steering committee; Joe Samolis, Steven Kovach, Chris Sugar, Beth Emery, Jeff Pugliese from the Chamber and Ramona Burkey (Library Director). 11. Adjournment Commissioner Emery moves for adjournment. Commissioner Kovach seconds the motion. The chair calls for the vote. The chair states the matter passes unanimously with 7 affirmative votes. : Respectfully Submitted, Joseph Samolis Director of Planning, Conservation and Development