Planning & Zoning Commission

CITY OF TORRINGTON PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES June 12, 2024 Present: Greg Mele, Chair Donovan Riley, Member James Bobinski, Member Donna Greco, Member Diane Carroll, Alternate Tom Telman, Alternate (Remote) Also Present: Jeremy Leifert, AICP; City Planner Not Present: Greg Perosino, Vice Chair Starley Arias, Alternate 1. Call to Order: Chair Greg Mele called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Attendance is by Zoom or in-person at City Hall Auditorium, Room 218, 140 Main Street, Torrington, CT. 2. Attendance/Announcement: Chair Mele announced present and serving this evening in person are Commissioners James Bobinski, Donovan Riley, Donna Greco, Diane Carroll and Greg Mele. Present and serving via zoom is Commissioner Tom Telman. Also present in the auditorium is City Planner Jeremy Leifert. 3. Minutes for Approval: a. March 20, 2024 Some commissioners noted that they were sent copies of the March minutes with some pages missing, so they were not able to fully review the minutes. Minutes of March 20, 2024 tabled by Chairman Mele to the next meeting. 4. Public Hearings beginning at 7:00 p.m., June 12, 2024, City Hall Auditorium, Room 218, 140 Main Street, Torrington, CT a. Proposed Zoning Regulation Amendment Applicant: Lelah Campo Proposal: Amend Section 5.15, Signage for Mobile Home Parks and  Recreational Vehicle Parks Chair Mele opened the public hearing at 7:02 and announced present and serving this evening in person are Commissioners James Bobinski, Donovan Riley, Donna Greco, Diane Carroll and Greg Mele. Present and serving via zoom is Commissioner Tom Telman. Also present in the auditorium is City Planner Jeremy Leifert. Commissioner Greco read the legal notice into the record. Present and representing the application is Martin Connor, Consulting Planner, who went over his qualifications and the details on the proposed regulation amendment. The proposal would allow RV Park signs at a maximum of 32 square feet in area and 12 feet in height by zoning permit. Mr. Connor also spoke on his opinion on compliance with the City POCD as well as the difference in campground/RV Park needs from other types of residential business signage. Commissioner Carroll asked for some details on sign lighting. No changes are proposed to the lighting regulations for signage. City Planner Leifert read his memo into the record. Chair Mele discussed internally vs externally lit signage with the applicant. Mr. Leifert noted that the ARC often reviews significant signage. No comments were offered from the public in person or remotely for this application. At 7:14 Mr. Mele declared the public hearing closed. MOTION by Ms. Greco to APPROVE Proposal: Regulation text amendment; Amend Section 5.15, Signage for Mobile Home Parks and Recreational Vehicle Parks Applicant: Lelah Campo Motion seconded by Commissioner Riley. Motion passed unanimously. b. 1260 Winsted Road, Assessor’s Map 237 Block 004 Lot 002 Applicant: Dave Echuk, CT Brows and Lashes Academy, LLC Proposal: Change of Use to Vocational School (Section 3.1, Subsection 2.08) with accessory Beauty Parlor Use in a I-Industrial Zone Chair Mele opened the public hearing at 7:15 and announced present and serving this evening in person are Commissioners James Bobinski, Donovan Riley, Donna Greco, Diane Carroll and Greg Mele. Present and serving via zoom is Commissioner Tom Telman. Also present in the auditorium is City Planner Jeremy Leifert. Commissioner Greco read the legal notice into the record. Present and representing the application is applicant Dave Echuk. Mr. Echuk confirmed that the sign had been posted and the mailings had been sent. Mr. Echuk stated that his former business had closed down due to Covid, and they would like to move to this location and open the academy. He also went over the proposed course which is 6 weeks, 3 times a week for 54 hours. City Planner Leifert read his memo into the record. Commissioner Carroll asked about information on night classes. Mt Echuk stated that night classes would be offered as needed. Chariman Mele opened up comments from the public. No comments were offered either in person or remotely on this application. At 7:29, Chairman Mele declared the public hearing closed. MOTION by Ms. Greco to APPROVE Proposal: Change of Use to Vocational School (Section 3.1, Subsection 2.08) with accessory Beauty Parlor Use in a I-Industrial Zone Two-Lot Resubdivision Applicant: Dave Echuk, CT Brows and Lashes Academy, LLC Location: 1260 Winsted Road, Assessor’s Map 237 Block 004 Lot 002 with the following conditions: 1. Per section 8.4.4 of the zoning regulations, the commission waives the requirement for the submission of a site plan since there is no exterior work proposed on the property 2. The applicant shall follow the comments of Assistant Planner Nate Nardi-Cyrus regarding temporary and permanent signage and future lighting 3. The applicant shall follow comments of Edward Tousey, WPCA Administrator outlined in his June 5, 2024 application comments regarding sewer discharge permitting requirements. 4. The Planning and Zoning Commission finds that the proposed use, location and site design is compatible with the neighborhood and surrounding uses and is protective of the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the City of Torrington for the granting of a special exception approval. 5. A “Certificate of Special Exception” shall be filed with the City Clerk prior to occupying the property for this use Motion seconded by Commissioner Riley. Motion passed unanimously. Public Hearing beginning at 7:00 p.m., June 26, 2024, City Hall Auditorium, Room 218, 140 Main Street, Torrington, CT a. Proposed Zoning Regulation Amendment Applicant: City of Torrington, Planning and Zoning Commission Proposal: Amend Sections 2.0 (Definitions), Section 3.1 (Table of Uses) and add new Section 6.5.4 (Temporary Shelter Facilities), Temporary and Permanent Shelters for the Unhoused This hearing will be opened at the June 26, 2024 regular meeting  Public Hearing beginning at 7:00 p.m., July 17, 2024, City Hall Auditorium, Room 218, 140 Main Street, Torrington, CT a. Proposed Zoning Regulation Amendment Applicant: City of Torrington, Planning and Zoning Commission Proposal: Amendments to Landscaping Regulations – Section 5.11.1 (Purpose and Intent), Section 5.11.2 (General Requirements), Section 5.11.5 (Specific Requirements) and Section 5.11.6 (Enforcement) This hearing will be opened at the July 17, 2024 regular meeting 5. Old Business: It was noted that there is no old business for discussion at this meeting. 6. New Business: a. Commission referral and review under CGS 8-24; Proposed Lease of City Property located at Cook Street, Assessor’s Map 116 Block 020 Lot 008 for public/private parking development Mr. Leifert shared a draft site plan for the property on screen for commissioners and those on zoom. Ray Drew, Public Works director presented the future plan for this property on Cook Street, which was obtained by the City in 1984 and had originally been planned as an access to Coe Park under the Master Plan for the park. It however was never built as an access, and a new opportunity has come up for the City to enter into a public private partnership with an adjacent property owner (126 South Main LLC) for development of the parcel for public parking. Mr. Leifert read his memo into the record. Mr. Drew spoke on the anticipated lease terms which are still to be negotiated, but would likely be in the 50-year range. Commissioner Greco asked if the entrance to the property would be off of Cook Street, and Mr. Drew confirmed. Commissioner Telman asked if there is a passthrough to the adjacent property. Mr. Drew is unaware of any plans by the adjacent owner to maintain it as a passthrough. Commissioner Carroll asked if there are plans for this lot to be permit parking. Mr. Drew stated that there are no plans to require permits to park in the lot or to do metered parking. MOTION by Ms. Greco to MAKE A FAVORABLE REPORT to City Council Location: Cook Street, Assessor’s Map 116 Block 020 Lot 008 Proposal: CGS 8-24 Review for a proposed lease of City land (0.22 acres) for a Public/Private Partnership for future parking lot construction Motion seconded by Commissioner Telman. Motion passed unanimously. b. 277 Winthrop Street, Assessor’s Map 124 Block 005 Lot 001 Applicant: City of Torrington – Raymond Drew, Public Works Director Proposal: Site Plan Application #1506; Construction of 11,000 square foot concrete skate park and associated site work Ray Drew, Public Works director presented the plan for the new skate park at Besse Park. The removal of the old skate park resulted from the need for added parking during construction of the new High School. Mr. Drew mentioned that the basketball court has been removed from initial phase of the project, but may be constructed at a later date. Depending on budgets and funding, the basketball court may be built in 2025. None of the existing park features on the property such as the pool or splash pad will be impacted by this project. Mr. Leifert read his memo into the record. Chairman Mele asked about the future approval of the basketball court. Mr. Leifert stated that the commission could review that as a site plan modification to this application, if approved. MOTION by Ms. Greco to APPROVE Location: 277 Winthrop Street, Assessor’s Map 124 Block 005 Lot 001 Applicant: City of Torrington – Raymond Drew, Public Works Director Proposal: Site Plan Application #1506; Construction of 11,000 square foot concrete skate park and associated site work Motion seconded by Commissioner Telman. Motion passed unanimously. c. 2177 Winsted Road, Assessor’s Map 238 Block 002 Lot 001 Applicant: Ned Dobrova, NJY Auto LLC Proposal: Site Plan Application #1504; Modification to previous site plan approval #1341 for auto dealer and repairer use and associated site improvements The applicant was not present. Mr. Leifert stated that he was surprised that Mr. Dobrova was not present and gave a brief background on the application. This application is to correct violations from the previous site plan approval granted in 2020 on this property. Mr Leifert stated that the work directly along Winsted Road was completed, but none of the grading on the property was being completed as shown on the plans. Mr. Dobrova was asked to modify the plans and have them re-approved by the commission to be completed in phases by specific dates. MOTION by Mr. Telman to table the application to the next meeting. Seconded by Mr. Riley. Motion passed unanimously.  d. 104 Grove Street, Assessor’s Map 118 Block 017 Lot 015 Applicant: Anthony DeRosa Proposal: Special Exception #24-04 and Site Plan Application #1509; Waive minimum parking requirements and change use of the property from office use to assembly/church use (Schedule public hearing date) MOTION by Ms. Greco to schedule the public hearing on this application for July 17, 2024. Seconded by Ms. Carroll. Motion passed unanimously. e. 856 Main Street, Assessor’s Map 120 Block 006 Lot 011 Applicant: Doreen Gagnon Proposal: Special Exception #24-05 and Site Plan Application #1511; Convert first floor from office to a residential unit; covert home to two-family dwelling in an LB zone (Schedule public hearing date) MOTION by Ms. Carroll to schedule the public hearing on this application for July 17, 2024. Seconded by Ms. Greco. Motion passed unanimously. 7. Correspondence: a. Zoning and Blight Violation update Chairman Mele noted that the enforcement report is in the packet. Discussion ensued on enforcement history with the Mountaintop Trucking recycling yard at 3350 Winsted Road. Enforcement issues persist with both inland wetlands for wetlands filling and for a lack of earth processing approvals with Planning and Zoning. The planning office recently learned of a possible future interested party for an industrial development on the property, so an enforcement agreement has been drafted for commission review that would delay enforcement on Mountaintop Trucking until September 2025 to allow Mountaintop Trucking to draw down the material they have on the property. At that point a potential new property owner would submit applications for development, including a plan to restore the filled wetlands. If no property transfer occurs, Mountaintop Trucking would remain responsible for submitting the required plans and permit applications for material processing and wetlands restoration. The commission discussed reservations about agreeing to hold off on enforcement without a wetlands/floodplain restoration plan being approved at minimum. Commissioners Bobinski and Carroll didn’t feel that we should grant a full year to achieve the restoration. Commissioner Telman would like the commission to work to get the property redeveloped. Mr. Leifert stated that he would bring the commission concerns and the draft agreement back to the interested parties for next steps. 8. Adjournment: MOTION by Commissioner Telman to Adjourn the Meeting at 8:22. Seconded by Commissioner Riley. Motion Passed Unanimously.