THESE MINUTES ARE PRESENTED IN DRAFT FORM AND HAVE NOT BEEN FORMALLY APPROVED BY THE ENFIELD PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
OFFICIAL COPIES OF MINUTES, WHEN APPROVED, CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE TOWN CLERK OR PLANNING OFFICE.
ENFIELD PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
MINUTES OF AN ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
JANUARY 7, 2010
A Regular Organizational Meeting of the Enfield Planning and Zoning Commission was held on Thursday, January 7, 2010 in the Council Chambers, Enfield Town Hall, 820 Enfield Street, Enfield, Connecticut. Mayor Scott Kaupin called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
PRESENT: Charles Duren, Chairman
Elizabeth Ballard
Peter Falk
Charles Ladd
Lori Longhi
Kathleen Sarno
Michael Dumont, Voting Alternate
Ronald Gregory, Alternate
ALSO PRESENT: José Giner, AICP, Director of Planning
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Commissioner Ballard made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Longhi, to suspend the rules and allow alternates to vote for the officer positions. The motion was approved by a unanimous vote.
Commissioner Ballard nominated Charles Duren for the office of Chairman. She noted Charles Duren has been on this Commission for twenty-four years and he has been Chairman for over four years. She thinks this Commission definitely needs his expertise as Chairman. Commissioner Falk seconded the nomination and noted he looks forward to serving with Charles Duren for another four years.
Commissioner Longhi made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Ladd, to close nominations. The motion was approved by a unanimous vote.
Commissioner Charles Duren was elected Chairman of the Enfield Planning and Zoning Commission by a unanimous vote.
Commissioner Falk nominated Elizabeth Ballard for the office of First Vice Chairman. He noted she has been on the Commission for a long time and has done a good job. In the Chairman’s absence she did an excellent job filling in and she is very qualified. Commissioner Longhi seconded the nomination.
Commissioner Gregory made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Falk, to close nominations. The motion was approved by a unanimous vote.
Commissioner Elizabeth Ballard was elected First Vice Chairman of the Enfield Planning and Zoning Commission by a unanimous vote.
Chairman Duren stated Elizabeth Ballard did a great job while he was away.
Commissioner Longhi felt the same way. She noted the job of a Vice Chairman is to step in and Commissioner Ballard stepped right in and did a great job.
Commissioner Ballard nominated Peter Falk for the office of Secretary. Commissioner Gregory seconded the nomination. Commissioner Ballard noted Commissioner Falk has been the Commission’s Secretary and he has done an outstanding job signing plans.
Commissioner Ladd made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Ballard, to close nominations. The motion was approved by a unanimous vote.
Commissioner Peter Falk was elected Secretary of the Enfield Planning and Zoning Commission by a unanimous vote.
Commissioner Longhi nominated Kathleen Sarno for the office of Second Vice Chairman. Commissioner Ladd seconded the nomination. Commissioner Longhi stated Commissioner Sarno has been a member of the Commission for over five years and before volunteering for the Commission she served on Wetlands. Commissioner Longhi would like to thank her for the time she has dedicated to public service.
Commissioner Gregory made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Falk, to close nominations. The motion was approved by a unanimous vote.
Commissioner Kathleen Sarno was elected Second Vice Chairman of the Enfield Planning and Zoning Commission by a unanimous vote.
FIRE EVACUATION ANNOUNCEMENT
Chairman Charles Duren made the fire evacuation announcement.
Appointments of liaisons to Enfield Revitalization Strategy Committee (ERSC) and Economic Development Commission
Chairman Duren requested a volunteer to serve on the Enfield Revitalization Strategy Committee which meets once a month on Thursday. Commissioner Kathleen Sarno was appointed liaison to the Enfield Revitalization Strategy Committee (ERSC).
Chairman Duren stated the Economic Development Commission meets at 8:00 a.m. on either Thursday or Friday and he requested a volunteer. Commissioner Elizabeth Ballard was appointed as liaison to the Economic Development Commission.
Appointments to the Regional Planning Commission (RPC) of the Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG). One Regular Member and One Alternate
Chairman Duren stated the appointment to the Regional Planning Commission of the Capitol Region Council of Governments is usually done by an Alternate. Mr. Giner stated they meet the same night as the Commission. The appointed member is sent materials from CRCOG.
Commissioner Michael Dumont was appointed as a Regular Member to the Regional Planning Commission (RPC) of the Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG). The Alternate position will be filled at a later date.
MINUTES
a. December 17, 2009
Commissioner Ballard made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Falk, to approve the Minutes of December 17, 2009. The Minutes were approved by a 5 – 0 – 2 vote. Commissioners Dumont and Sarno abstained.
TOWN PLANNER’S REPORT
Mr. Giner congratulated the new Officers of the Commission.
Mr. Giner stated Commissioner Ladd had asked about putting together an executive summary for the Plan of Conservation and Development which is in the Commission’s meeting packet. He took a couple of the chapters that summed up the plan and made that the executive summary. It came out to about twenty-one pages. The body of the plan itself is over 300 pages. The consultant is printing twenty-five copies of the plan and Mr. Giner will be distributing those copies to the Commission members and also the Town Council. He will be printing extras for placement in the libraries.
Mr. Giner reported for the public that may be listening the latest draft of the plan of conservation is on the town’s web page. It has been split into chapters so it is easier to download.
Mr. Giner stated the Commission had requested a copy of the Aquifer Protection aerial map which was presented to the Commission tonight. Mr. Giner did get the digital copy of the shape file from the state over the Christmas holiday. He will be overlaying it on the town’s zoning map and setting a public hearing in February to adopt the aquifer protection area on the town’s zoning map. This has to be done within a certain amount of time of receiving it.
Mr. Giner stated the map will show those areas that are zoned industrial. The areas that are going to be of concern are on the corner of the Longmeadow portion of Route 5 where there is a heavy concentration of commercial. There is a gas station and you have to consider any type of use that may be a danger to the ground water. Chairman Duren asked if there would be anything down Manning Road. Mr. Giner stated those are primarily warehouse types of uses and unless they are doing some heavy duty storage of chemicals, they would not be affected. What he has done in the past is match the assessor’s records with the GIS for those areas and send a notice out to people saying take a look at this and if you do any of these regulated uses, please call to register. He encourages people to call because sometimes people register needlessly or they don’t qualify as a registration. Mr. Giner stated gas stations for sure will have to register. Anything that has an underground storage tank will have to register. Car washes would have to register only if they have an outside spray. If they are washing trucks or any types of activity outside then they have to register. If they are hooked up to the sewer, it is not an issue.
Commissioner Longhi asked if they register on line. Mr. Giner stated the forms are available on line but they have to send the forms to the Planning Office. There is a registration form as required by the state. It is fairly lengthy but it is straightforward. If there are any questions, the state has been very helpful. He has asked the state to give an opinion if there is a questionable use and they are pretty good at responding back quickly as to whether or not it is a regulated activity.
Commissioner Duren brought up the former paper company that is now empty. Mr. Giner stated he would send information to the owner and if there had been a regulated activity in the recent past, he would be eligible to register. The correspondence, in general is sent to the property owner. If the tenant is known, information would also be sent to the tenant.
Mr. Giner stated Commissioner Ladd had brought up water being pumped into the private road leading to Planet Fitness. He talked to Engineering and they said it is private property and there is nothing the town can do. Commissioner Ladd stated someone must have spoken to them because they moved it. Mr. Giner stated it is a private liability issue. Commissioner Ladd stated it is now being pumped onto the grass and not pumping directly on to the road. Mr. Giner stated Engineering has told him that the town doesn’t really have any jurisdiction unless it is affecting a town road in some way.
Mr. Giner mentioned the Land Use Academy classes. They have suffered some cuts and this was a very popular and successful program for training Commission members throughout the State of Connecticut. They had trained approximately 457 people from 139 separate land use commissions. There is a seminar scheduled for May 22 at the UConn Storrs campus. They have increased their fee to $40 but it includes breakfast and lunch. If any Commissioners are interested in attending, they should contact Mr. Giner.
Mr. Giner reported the Commission will not be getting a Zoning Enforcement Officer report because Ms. Higley has been out sick. An enforcement report will be available at the next meeting.
Commissioner Longhi stated it was back in December when there was talk about the Plan of Conservation. It came up about the Mancuso Park Plan and she asked if she could get a copy or what the Plan was. If it is in the Plan of Conservation, she would like to know exactly what it is. Mr. Giner stated that was a recreation study conducted by the Recreation Department and it is in the archives. The Mancuso Park is a portion of that report. Commissioner Longhi stated if it was mentioned in the Plan of Conservation and this is going to be coming before the Commission, she wanted to be familiar with what it was. Mr. Giner stated there is only one copy and it is stored in the archives. He will ask the record people to get it to him.
Commissioner Longhi asked if there was a reason that the Mancuso Park was in the Plan of Conservation now. Mr. Giner stated when they did their inventory, that was one of the things that they did get. Mr. Giner got the report out of the archives and they had it for a few months while they were doing the inventory. It might have been mentioned as part of their focus group on recreation also. There was a referendum previously that was voted down.
Commissioner Longhi asked if the Mancuso Park is something the Commission has to be concerned about or not. Commissioner Falk stated it is not likely to happen any time soon. Mr. Giner stated it may be something the town may want to do in the future if some grant funds become available. Commissioner Longhi requested that Mr. Giner get this document out of archives so that she can look at it.
Chairman Duren requested that the Aquifer Protection Agency be put on the next Commission agenda. He would like to keep the meetings of this Agency quarterly.
TOWN ATTORNEY’S REPORT
Assistant Town Attorney Maria Elsden reported the Commission should have the written report dated December 21, 2009. There have not been any major changes. There is a hearing date on the consolidated ZBA cases and that’s March 2, 2010. In the other two cases, there is an answer and record due on April 9, 2010. It has been set out quite a few months because it is a voluminous record that has to be prepared.
Commissioner Longhi asked why some cases are consolidated and not others. Attorney Elsden stated when the cases are essentially the same, as the two ZBA cases are, it is best in terms of judicial economy. There is only one brief written. If you were to have the hearings separate, there would be two separate briefs and two separate everything even though the applications, while separate, stem from the same event. In the ZBA case, one was for a variance and one was an appeal of the order. It would be a lot of waste of the judge’s time and also staff time to do two records rather than have everything heard together. In the other two cases, if they move forward, Attorney Elsden stated they would move to consolidate them and the Plaintiffs would also be in favor of having them consolidated. It is quicker for everyone. It takes a lot of extra time and effort and a lot of unnecessary motions to have them heard separately.
Commissioner Longhi stated there is a Connecticut judicial web site that lists the cases and it also lists all the motions and interesting things that go on according to the cases. If the general public wants to know what is going on in the cases mentioned, they can go to the State of Connecticut web site and either put in Town of Enfield or the associated commission. You can search by Planning and Zoning and you can actually look at the cases.
Commissioner Longhi stated when the Commission got in their packet information on the Villages, the Commission only received one of the appeals. It was appeal number 2682. The Commission never received the second appeal which is number 2681. Mr. Giner will provide that to the Commission.
Mr. Giner stated the Commission had asked about tag sales and it is not on the agenda but he did some research involving different towns. He took some excerpts from different towns to see what other towns are doing. He asked that the Commission read and consider this information and perhaps have a discussion at a subsequent meeting regarding what the Commission’s preference is. Commissioner Duren stated for tag sales they put up the signs on telephone poles and they don’t take the signs down. It doesn’t do much for the Town of Enfield to see old tag sale signs. If they are going to put them up, he would like to see them taken down.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
James Bailey Brislin, 43 Oakwood Street in the Sherwood Manor section of town, stated he comes before the Commission this evening to congratulate the Commissioners on reelection to new offices. He would like to ask the Commission to give serious thought this year especially to the idea of ethics professionalism and conflicts of interest as it relates to the Planning and Zoning Commission. This is an issue close to Mr. Brislin’s heart dating back to the tremendously unfair treatment of the Felician Sisters. He thinks it is something that needs to be looked at because of the immense power of the Planning and Zoning Commission. He would argue that the ability of the Planning and Zoning Commission to regulate uses in this town makes it more powerful than either the Town Council or the Board of Education. Because of that, the Commission impacts the fundamental fifth amendment rights of property owners.
Mr. Brislin stated the specific issue he brings before the Commission this evening is the issue of conflicts of interest. Traditionally, in terms of conflicts of interest, Commissioners have recused themselves only when there is either a conflict of interest in terms of a direct financial stake in an application before the Commission and/or membership in an organization with an application before the Commission. He gave the example of Mr. Lefakis recusing himself on a parcel that had something to do with his church.
Mr. Brislin suggested to the Commission that because of the role that it has to adopt a formal policy of conflicts of interest and to look specifically at the policies used by the judicial branch. He says this because they look more broadly at conflicts of interest issues such as whether or not business, social or political interests could cloud the judgment of a Commissioner or create the impression that a Commission’s judgment is clouded.
Mr. Brislin stated the fundamental issue in this case is he believes at times that Commissioners have been sloppy in how they identify or inform the public about and possibly recuse themselves regarding conflicts of interest. He gave a few examples of this. He stated if someone is the holder of an automotive dealer’s license then it is conflict of interest that needs to be revealed to the public when deliberating a case involving an automotive property. Similarly, if an attorney on retainer is representing an applicant or an abutter, that is something that should be revealed to the public and possibly the Commissioners should recuse themselves. If there is a close political alliance between a Commissioner and an applicant or an abutter, that should be disclosed and should influence whether or not they recuse themselves.
Mr. Brislin stated if you look at past hearings during this past year, there have been occasions when conflicts of interest have not been disclosed and Commissioners have allowed themselves to be subject to the appearance of impropriety when often impropriety might not be intended. That appearance to the public is very important if the public is to have confidence in the deliberations of the Commission.
Mr. Brislin concluded his remarks by asking the Commission as a body to take a look at what can be done to better deal with conflicts of interest, better avoid the appearance of impropriety and ultimately upgrade the impression that people have of the ethics and professionalism of this body which quite frankly has improved tremendously in the two or three years that Commissioner Duren has been Chairman.
CORRESPONDENCE
Chairman Duren stated the various publications were received along with a Summary of Zoning, Subdivision and POCD Referrals from the Capitol Region Council of Governments dated December 10, 2009. The Notice of Action from the Enfield Historic District Commission dated December 18, 2009 was also received.
Mr. Giner brought up the letter from Stefan C. Ralph and he asked if the Commission wanted to handle it under Correspondence.
Commissioner Sarno made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Ballard, to modify the agenda and add Mr. Stefan C. Ralph’s request to Item 17. Other Business and take it out of order and consider it at this time. The motion was approved by a 7 – 0 – 0 vote with Alternate Dumont voting.
Mr. Ralph, 13 Jefferson Street, appeared before the Commission regarding his request to run a personal training studio out of his home. He is currently a member and active duty officer in the Massachusetts National Guard. While he was in Iraq he started what is called cross fitting, a type of exercise program. He sought an affiliation with the organization and he is a Level 1 cross certified trainer and he is also a national strength conditioning association personal certified trainer. He would like to get a special use permit if it is necessary to run a small personal training business out of his garage. Garage gyms are small and cater to small group classes. With the space he has, if he were to convert his garage, it would be no more than two to four people at maximum. He has looked at the zoning laws and felt this could qualify as a home occupation. The position of his house on the corner of Jefferson Street and South Road would not disrupt the flow of traffic. There is not a constant flow of customers but there is a structured time schedule with three classes per day. Mr. Ralph stated he can fit two additional cars in his driveway to minimize the parking on the street. He is looking at a maximum of four cars and he can park those cars on his front lawn just as if he had friends over. The hours he is looking to do the school would not disrupt the flow of traffic or his neighbors.
Chairman Duren asked about the next step. Mr. Giner stated the use doesn’t quite fit the home occupation listed in the ordinance. He read from the home occupation section of the ordinance. There’s no clear indication regarding such a business. Mr. Ralph asked to come to the Commission for an opinion. Mr. Giner did not feel comfortable issuing a home occupation permit without getting the Commission’s advice on whether or not they think this falls within what would be considered customary or incidental to a residential neighborhood.
Commissioner Longhi asked who Mr. Ralph is certified from. Mr. Ralph stated cross fitting is run by affiliation and he has been approved for affiliation. One of the criteria for becoming an affiliate is being a Level 1 certified trainer. That was a two-day seminar that he attended in Beverly, Massachusetts. It focused on the nine foundational movements of the cross fit methods. It was an intensive program. He is also a national strength conditioning association certified personal trainer. They are the gold standard in the fitness industry.
Commissioner Longhi asked if it is weight training, fitness training or a combination. Mr. Ralph stated it is a combination. Cross fitting is hard to describe but the best way to do it is lifting a lot of heavy weights. It is applicable to anyone and they also incorporate gymnastics and some short distance running. He is always there. He would never let people train if there wasn’t a coach present.
Mr. Giner stated the regulations allow for administrative approval with no changes. Under Section 4.30.10 it states if no changes to the property are required, including any increase in arrangement or layout of parking areas, and only residents of the premises are employed, then the office of Director of Planning and/or the Zoning Enforcement Officer may approve home occupations or professional offices. Such approvals shall be reported to the Commission monthly. If any persons who are not residents of the building are employed, then a special use permit is required. Mr. Ralph stated he will be the only person employed.
Mr. Giner stated normally this would be approved as a home occupation but because it did not quite fit into the definition in the ordinance, he wanted to make sure the Commission agreed that it was incidental to residential.
Commissioner Sarno did not feel this requires a special use permit and that it can be handled administratively. She thinks this falls within the realm of personal trainers going to homes and doing training. She doesn’t feel it would be a disruption to the neighborhood.
Commissioner Dumont asked if Mr. Ralph has spoken to his neighbors about this. He has stated if there are two to four cars, he may have to have a couple of the cars parking on the lawn. Mr. Ralph stated he has not spoken to his neighbors but he is making an assumption regarding parking. He has had company over and his neighbors also have multiple cars at their home. This end of Jefferson Street is kind of wide and if he felt it was going to be disruptive, he would go talk to his neighbors.
Commissioner Falk stated Mr. Ralph mentioned running and aerobic exercise. He asked if any of this is similar to the military. Mr. Ralph stated in no way would it involve formations or cadence being called.
Commissioner Falk asked if this is all done inside with nothing outside. Mr. Ralph stated in talking about running, they do short duration sprints about 400 to 800 meters. That course can be laid out with a web site called Map My Run.com. Commissioner Falk asked if people would be running in the streets. Mr. Ralph said not necessarily. There are various tracks in the area that he would use including Springfield College which is open to the public. He would probably take people to tracks because there are measured distances. They do cardiovascular normally and a good portion is done with a C-2 rower, a rowing training machine. The design of the workouts don’t necessarily involve running.
Mr. Ralph confirmed that all activities can be done within his garage or at an off site track for measured distances.
Commissioner Sarno stated this is the new up and coming training. She has read articles on the type of training that Mr. Ralph will be doing.
Commissioner Sarno made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Ballard, to allow Mr. Giner to administratively approve the request of Stefan C. Ralph for a personal training studio and to note that it falls within a home occupation. The motion was approved by a 7 – 0 – 0 vote with Alternate Dumont voting.
DISCUSSION OF BY-LAWS
Chairman Duren stated he would like this discussion of By-Laws to be added to the next agenda.
DISCUSSION OF GOALS FOR THE COMING YEAR
Chairman Duren saw a need to revise the zoning map because it has to be done to comply with the Plan of Development. The Commission should take a look at the maps and the regulations.
Discussion and Recommendations on the Budget for the coming year
Mr. Giner stated Commissioner Longhi had asked for expenditures to date and it is before the Commission. He stated the proposed budget is the same as for this year with one slight change. He took $200 out of printing and reproduction and put it into food and food related items. He noted if the Commission wants to host another Business After Hours, the additional money was necessary in that account.
Commissioner Longhi asked what is the fiscal year. Mr. Giner stated the fiscal year is July 1 through January 30.
Commissioner Longhi noticed under recording tapes and pads, there is a mistake. It states it is $1,000 and then only $500 was carried down for the total and it should be $1,000. Mr. Giner stated that was an excel mistake.
Commissioner Longhi stated on the last page is the Soil and Conservation Service for $1,200 and the APA membership. She asked what are these. Mr. Giner stated the Soil and Conservation Service does ERT reports for the town. They will review if there are questions on site plans with respect to soil and erosion controls. They help fund the environmental review teams. Mr. Giner stated the service has been used when there have been lapses in staff to review plans. When the town didn’t have a wetlands officer, they were able to call on them for a review. Mr. Giner stated the APA membership is the planning magazines and the materials the Commission receives.
Commissioner Longhi stated on the seminars, training and workshops where did that fall into under the actual expenditures. It didn’t seem to match up to the accounts. It said there was a 300 series. Mr. Giner stated 322 and it is under professional development. Mr. Giner stated we haven’t spent anything this year under that category. Mr. Giner stated APA is getting more into CD training and they are putting a lot of their workshops on CD’s which may be something the Commission might want to consider.
Commissioner Longhi asked what time period did the sheet Mr. Giner gave to the Commission tonight cover. Mr. Giner stated July 1 until today. It is a half year.
Chairman Duren asked if any of the Commissioners had recommendations for the coming year.
Commissioner Ladd stated he notices that as long as he has been on this Commission the item for the recording secretary has been the same amount of money. Mr. Giner stated raises are controlled by the Town Council but the Commission can suggest raises.
Commissioner Ladd made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sarno, to suggest to the Town Council that the salary be increased for the Commission’s recording secretary. The motion was approved by a 7 – 0 – 0 vote with Alternate Dumont voting.
Commissioner Longhi stated she had asked for the actual year budget from one year to the other so that she can compare the two. She asked that Mr. Giner get her a copy of that.
OLD BUSINESS
a. SPR#1486 – Modification of Plans previously approved to place one exterior metal cage for propane cylinder exchange at Walgreen Pharmacy located in a Business Local (BL) District at 2 Shaker Road, Map 64, Lot 70; Walgreen’s, Applicant; Blake Investments, LLC, Owner.
Chairman Duren stated from the diagram presented, the bollards are back into the parking area. He further stated the Fire Marshal said it was alright and he asked if that is referring to the bollards in the parking lot. Mr. Giner stated he had sent the applicant’s revised plans and the Fire Marshal responded to them in Exhibit 20.
Chairman Duren stated it was suggested that if they don’t put the bollards in the parking lot that those parking spaces get signed for compact cars only so the back sides weren’t sticking out. Commissioner Ladd did not know if four inches would make a difference because those spaces are about a car length and a half anyways. Chairman Duren suggested putting signs about compact cars on top of the bollards. He did not know who made the original suggestion about compact cars. Mr. Giner stated it was Fire Marshal Censki. Mr. Giner stated that could be added as a condition. Commissioners Falk and Ballard did not feel such signs were necessary. Commissioner Ladd noted it seems like the Fire Marshal is happy with the application without the signs. Before it was a foot and a half into the parking lot and now it is only four inches.
Commissioner Sarno made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Ladd, to waive the full submission requirements of Section 9.10.2 for SPR#1486 because the Commission finds that the information is not necessary in order to decide on the application’s conformance with these Regulations. The motion was approved by a 7 – 0 – 0 vote with Alternate Dumont voting.
Commissioner Sarno made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Ladd, to approve SPR#1486 – Modification of Plans previously approved to place one exterior metal cage for propane cylinder exchange at Walgreen Pharmacy located in a Business Local District at 2 Shaker Road with the following conditions:
General Conditions:
1. This approval is for the specific use and structures identified in the application. Any changes in the nature of the use or the structures will require new approvals from the Enfield Planning and Zoning Commission.
2. All applicable Building and Fire Codes must be complied with prior to the issuance of any permits.
3. No additional signage is approved as part of this application. Any signage must comply with Town of Enfield Zoning Regulations.
4. By acceptance of this permit and conditions, the applicant and owner acknowledge the right of Town staff to periodically enter upon the subject property for the purpose of determining compliance with the terms of this approval.
The motion was approved by a 7 – 0 – 0 vote with Alternate Dumont voting.
Chairman Duren stated traffic access is adequate. Safety is addressed with the installation of the bollards. Having the bollards will continue the type of landscaping that they have in that type of building and they are much better looking than the jersey barriers.
OTHER BUSINESS
a. Request by Stefan C. Ralph for a Personal Training Studio
This item was covered earlier in this agenda.
Chairman Duren stated the Commission has two committees that are active and on future agendas a report from those committees should be added.
Commissioner Ballard stated the Policy Review Committee will be meeting on Monday. She was watching the Inlands Wetlands and Watercourses meeting and the Chairman thought it was a good idea that the P&Z was doing this policy book. He appointed two people to join Commissioner Longhi and Commissioner Ballard so they can incorporate what this committee is doing. Commissioner Ballard stated they are about half done. Commissioner Longhi stated before we finalize anything, we wanted to make sure that the two policies go along with each other. Mr. Giner stated it should be more of a department policy. Chairman Duren asked that the Policy Review Committee update be a continuing item under Other Business.
Chairman Duren stated the second committee was signs which Commissioner Falk was going to work on with Commissioner Longhi. Commissioner Longhi stated February might be a good month to work on this.
Mr. Giner asked if the Commission wanted tag sales on their agenda under Other Business for discussion. Chairman Duren stated put it on the agenda and the Commission can discuss it. He saw a need to have the Commission’s enforcement officer back as an enforcement officer and not doing other things.
Mr. Giner stated under the Planning Department budget he did put in for a part-time property maintenance inspection person. One of the things under discussion is how to consider blight issues and whether fines will be instituted. This part-time person would go out and write reports and follow up with whatever enforcement action was required. Chairman Duren stated the Zoning Enforcement Officer shouldn’t be doing that. It used to be done by the Building Inspector.
Chairman Duren brought up clothing boxes which have been growing in number and should be addressed. Mr. Giner stated letters are going out to property owners regarding these boxes.
Commissioner Ladd asked who is responsible for repairing the street lights. He stated there is an ornate one directly in front of the Hazardville Fire Department which has been broken for six months. Mr. Giner will inform the proper party. He thinks it is Public Works.
Commissioner Ballard asked that Mr. Giner find out the schedule for the Economic Development Commission.
Receipt of Applications
There were no applications to be received. Mr. Giner asked about the next meeting agenda. Commission members felt it would be a good time to discuss the Commission by-laws. Mr. Giner stated a full copy of the Plan of Development will be available for that meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Sarno made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Ballard, to adjourn. Following a unanimous vote, the Commission adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
___________________________
Peter Falk, Secretary
Enfield Planning and Zoning Commission
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