Planning & Zoning Commission

CITY OF TORRINGTON PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES August 21, 2024 Present: Greg Mele, Chair Greg Perosino, Vice Chair (Remote) Donovan Riley, Member (Remote) Diane Carroll, Alternate (Seated for Commissioner Greco) Tom Telman, Alternate (Seated for Commissioner Boninski, Remote) Also Present: Jeremy Leifert, AICP, City Planner Not Present: Donna Greco - Member, James Bobinski - Member; Starley Arias - Alternate 1. Call to Order: Chair Greg Mele called the meeting to order at 7:02 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 opened the meeting at 7:02 pm and announced present and serving this evening in person are seated alternate Diane Carroll and Chairman Greg Mele. Serving remotely via zoom are Greg Perosino, Donovan Riley, seated alternate Tom Telman. Also present in the auditorium is City Planner Jeremy Leifert as well as applicants and members of the public. 3. Minutes for Approval: a. July 17, 2024 MOTION by Commissioner Perosino to APPROVE the minutes of July 17, 2024. Motion seconded by Commissioner Riley. Motion passed unanimously, with Commissioner Telman Abstaining. 4. Public Hearings: Public Hearing continued from July 17, 2024 to August 21, 2024, 7:00 p.m., City Hall Auditorium, Room 218, 140 Main Street, Torrington, CT Torrington Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes – August 21, 2024 Page 1 of 7  a. 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and change use of the property from office use to assembly/church use in an R6 residential zone (Application Withdrawn by the Applicant) Chairman Mele noted that the application has been withdrawn. Mr. Leifert read a brief letter from the applicant into the record for the application withdrawal. Public Hearing beginning at 7:00 p.m., August 21, 2024, City Hall Auditorium, Room 218, 140 Main Street, Torrington, CT b. 263 Migeon Avenue, Assessor’s Map 109 Block 016 Lot 010 Applicant: Martin J. Connor, AICP on behalf of McCall Foundation Inc. Proposal: Special Exception #24-06 and Site Plan Application #1516; Change of Use from Rooming House to Office Use and Wellness Center in and R6 Residential Zone Chair Mele opened the public hearing at 7:04 and announced present and serving this evening in person are seated alternate Diane Carroll and Chairman Greg Mele. Serving remotely via zoom are Greg Perosino, Donovan Riley, seated alternate Tom Telman. Also present in the auditorium is City Planner Jeremy Leifert as well as applicants and members of the public. Commissioner Carroll read the legal notice into the record. Martin Connor, AICP appeared representing the applicant. Mr. Connor submitted the abutter mailings and confirmed that the sign had been posted. Mr. Connor stated that the application is for a change of use for a historic building built in 1913 to change the use to an office building and wellness center. He also stated that for the applicant team, he would like to call Maria Skinner, director of McCall Foundation; Civil1, the civil engineering firm for the project; Landscape Architect Louis Fusco to discuss the site; and Architect Michael Boe to discuss the building. Maria Coutant Skinner, president of McCall Foundation spoke with the commission on the vision of McCall Foundation for the property. The property would be used mostly for therapists and addiction specialists with a focus on children and families. The property and carriage house will be used for various programming. The property will house approximately 15 staff. Torrington Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes – August 21, 2024 Page 2 of 7  Emily Jones, the engineer for Civil1 described the engineering design of the property, particularly the grading and drainage plan. She went over description of the subsurface drainage system. Pervious paver materials will used for patios and walkways. Discussion ensued on the timing of the work scheduled for the City road work for Migeon Ave. Mr. Connor stated that he has been working with the City Engineering Department for timing. Louis Fusco, Landscape Architect presented the landscape plan, with a focus on an inviting environment for clients. Mr. Fusco confirmed that native plantings were used and reviewed the screening plan. The site flyover video was played for the commission. Lighting locations and fixtures were described. Mr. Connor confirmed that he had met with the neighboring property owner at the funeral home to work out retention of some historic fencing and screening on the common boundary. The committee discussed proposed EV charging stations with the applicant. Mr. Connor confirmed operating hours of Monday-Friday 8am to 8pm. Architect Michael Boe described the interior layout of the building. No building footprint is proposed to change. Handicap accessibility will be improved. No elevator is present in the building. Mr. Boe confirmed that the first floor is entirely ADA accessible and is for client access. The second and third floor are staff offices. Mr. Leifert read his memo into the record. No comments were offered from the public in attendance for or against the project. No written communications were received. Chairman Mele declared the public hearing closed at 7:50. MOTION by Commissioner Carroll to APPROVE, with conditions as read into the record: Location: 263 Migeon Avenue, Assessor’s Map 109 Block 016 Lot 010 Applicant: Martin J. Connor, AICP on behalf of McCall Foundation Inc. Proposal: Special Exception #24-06 and Site Plan Application #1516; Change of Use from Rooming House to Office Use and Wellness Center in and R6 Residential Zone Motion seconded by Commissioner Perosino. Motion passed unanimously. Torrington Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes – August 21, 2024 Page 3 of 7 5. Old Business: Chairman Mele noted that there is no old business on the agenda for this evening 6. New Business: a. 1355 East Main Street, Assessor’s Map 137 Block 002 Lot 005 Applicant: Borghesi Building and Engineering Proposal: Special Exception #24-08 and Site Plan Application #1521; Construction of a 72,500 square foot mini storage building and associated site work in an LB-Local Business Zone (Schedule public hearing date) MOTION by Commissioner Perosino to SCHEDULE the public hearing on this application for September 11, 2024. Motion seconded by Commissioner Carroll. Motion passed unanimously. a. 150 Church Street, Assessor’s Map 117 Block 006 Lot 006 160 Church Street, Assessor’s Map 117 Block 006 Lot 007 168 Church Street, Assessor’s Map 118 Block 002 Lot 009 Applicant: City of Torrington Proposal: Change of Zoning Map, R6 Residential to DD-Downtown District (Schedule Public Hearing Date) MOTION by Commissioner Carroll to SCHEDULE the public hearing on this application for September 25, 2024. Motion seconded by Commissioner Perosino. Motion passed unanimously. c. 51 Greenwoods Road, Assessor’s Map 243 Block 007 Lot 002 Applicant: Christian Schumacher for Bomar Proposal: Site Plan Application #1525; Site modifications to construct a concrete pad and canopy for four hazardous material containers in an I-Industrial Zone Chris Schumacher of Bomar presented plans to the commission to conduct site work to prepare an area on the property for four hazardous material containers to be stored and contained for their business as a specialty chemical manufacturer. Lighting will be provided under the proposed new canopy. The chemical storage will provide space within the building. The containers are climate controlled with spill containment. Torrington Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes – August 21, 2024 Page 4 of 7  Mr. Perosino asked about the type of chemicals. Some flammable chemicals will be contained. The Fire Marshal reviewed the plan, and each container has self-contained fire protection and spill protection. Commissioner Riley asked about flood protection. Mr. Schumacher described curbing and sumps within the containment area, and the EHS protocols for spills and flooding. Mr. Leifert read his memo into the record. Mr. Schumacher verified that there will be no hazardous waste storage on the property, only materials for use. MOTION by Commissioner Carroll to APPROVE, with conditions as read into the record: Location: 51 Greenwoods Road, Assessor’s Map 243 Block 007 Lot 002 Applicant: Christian Schumacher for Bomar Proposal: Site Plan Application #1525; Site modifications to construct a concrete pad and canopy for four hazardous material containers in an I-Industrial Zone Motion seconded by Commissioner Perosino. Motion passed unanimously. d. 138 Litchfield Street, Assessor’s Map 116 Block 009 Lot 009 Applicant: Richard Lopez Proposal: Site Plan Application #1523; Change of use from a rooming house to a single-family home with an Accessory Dwelling Unit in the DD-Downtown District Zone Richard Lopez presented the proposed change of use. He purchased the property back in 2021, and the existing Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) had not been previously approved. He is now looking for approval of the existing unit to again sell the home. Mr. Leifert stated that in order to issue a Certificate of Zoning Compliance, the approvals needed to be current for both a single-family dwelling and ADU. Mr. Leifert read his memo into the record. Chairman Mele encouraged Mr. Lopez to be sure that the egress window are compliant with building and fire code. History on the property was also discussed and the reason for the confusion on the documented approved uses. MOTION by Commissioner Carroll to APPROVE, with conditions as read into the record: Torrington Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes – August 21, 2024 Page 5 of 7  Location: 138 Litchfield Street, Assessor’s Map 116 Block 009 Lot 009 Applicant: Richard Lopez Proposal: Site Plan Application #1523; Change of use from a rooming house to a single-family home with an Accessory Dwelling Unit in the DD-Downtown District Zone Motion seconded by Commissioner Perosino. Motion passed unanimously. 7. Correspondence: a. Nate Nardi-Cyrus, Assistant Planner; Zoning and Blight Violation update Chair. Mele asked if the Commissioners have any comment. Mr. Leifert gave an update on the status of 1050 East Main Street. A follow up is scheduled for tomorrow (Aug 22) because a deadline from corporation counsel has passed. Discussion on bonding procedure ensued. A discussion on the fines on the property ensued and typical procedure for collection or reduction of fines. The commission is not in favor of fine reduction on this project. Discussion also took place on the status of the Kaczmarczyk property on Prospect Street. Discussion took place on the Mountaintop Recycling yard on Winsted Road. The property owner has until September 1 to begin the permitting process with inland wetlands to restore filled wetlands on the property. The soil scientist that the City was informed would be conducting the wetlands survey work was contacted by staff, and indicated they had not been contacted by the property owner to date. Commissioner Carroll asked about gas station under construction. Mr. Leifert stated that he had just recently reached out to Borgesi Building and Engineering, who are the permitees for zoning to submit new zoning permitting and give a timeframe for completion. No contact has been made to date. Commissioner Perosino updated the Commission on the status of the receivership on the Yankee Pedlar. Building assessments are currently underway. Torrington Development Corporation is the receiver and is in charge with bringing proposals for redevelopment to the court after the assessments are completed. b. Siting Council application – Lovers Lane Solar Project Mr. Leifert provided a letter from the project applicant of intent to file for approval for a large solar project. The link to the application will be sent to the Commission members to review for discussion at the next meeting to decide if the Commission will send comments. Torrington Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes – August 21, 2024 Page 6 of 7 8. Adjournment: MOTION by Commissioner Carroll to adjourn the Meeting at 8:50. Seconded by Commissioner Perosino. Motion Passed Unanimously. Torrington Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes – August 21, 2024 Page 7 of 7