Redding Planning Commission
P.O. Box 1028
Redding Center, Connecticut 06875-1028
MINUTES
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
8:00 p.m. – Old Town House
Present: Diane Taylor, Chairman; Michael Bakanas; Robert Dean; Nancy King; Toby Welles, Alt., seated for D. Stroetzel.
Absent: Donald Stroetzel; Thomas Flagg, Alt.
Also present: Jo-an Brooks, Land Use Coordinator
John Hayes, Town Planning Consultant
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 8:05 p.m. D. Taylor welcomed Mike Bakanas as a full Commission member.
I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Meeting of 1/22/08
On the motion of R. Dean and the second of N. King, the Commission voted unanimously to approve the 1/22/08 Meeting Minutes.
II. PUBLIC HEARING CONTINUED
Subdivision Application #515, Charles I. Tyler, owner, Thomas Ryder, Land-Tech Consultants, Inc. (agent), 130 Topstone Road. Proposed subdivision of 33.441 acres into three lots. Received 11/27/07. Presentation 12/11/07. Site Walk 1/12/08. Public Hearing opened 1/8/08, continued 1/22/08; 2/12/08 canceled for snow. Extended 65 days.
A letter of extension has been received. The Public Hearing is continued to the next meeting.
III. PUBLIC HEARING CONTINUED
Subdivision Application #516, Frank Marini, owner, 417 Rock House Road. Proposed subdivision of 14.19 acres into two lots. Received 12/11/07. Presentation 1/8/08. Site Walk 1/12/08. Public Hearing opened 1/22/08, 2/12/08 canceled for snow. Deadline to close or extend 2/26/08.
Mr. Marini was present along with Ronald Ochman. Intervenors William and Kay Oppenheimer were also in attendance. D. Taylor noted receipt of a Notice of Intervention, which was reviewed and accepted by the Commission.
The following new letters and reports were noted and read into the record:
-2/10/08 letter from L. Zielinski
-2/14/08 letter from Mr. and Mrs. Oppenheimer
-correspondence between J. Brooks and Mr. and Mrs. Oppenheimer re: consultants
-2/21/08 letter from Mr. and Mrs. Oppenheimer re: David Scott
-2/14/00 report from David Scott
-2/12/08 memo from N. Burnham with her 2/20/05 report attached
-2/18/08 memo from N. Burnham
-2/25/08 note from J. Brooks to N. Burnham
-2/8/08 memo from N. Burnham
R. Ochman reviewed proposal details. D. Hartline has approved the septic system and the application has been referred to the State Dept. of Health. A report dated 2/14/06 from Leggette, Brashears and Graham has been submitted. D. Taylor requested all comments by Mr. Ochman to be submitted in writing.
K. Oppenheimer clarified the number of houses being proposed as compared to the previous application. W. Oppenheimer read and submitted a letter. R. Ochman responded to issues raised in the letter.
A letter from N. Burnham is pending. D. Taylor requested an extension which was submitted by the applicant. The Public Hearing will continue at the 3/11/08 meeting.
IV. ADMINISTRATIVE
1. Scenic Road Complaint: 26 Side Cut Road, Larry Liebowitz, M.D. Road traffic issues. Discussion re individual Site Walks.
L. Liebowitz was present. D. Taylor read a letter dated 1/23/08 from Dr. Liebowitz. Various traffic-calming techniques were reviewed. J. Hayes suggested a subcommittee to define and recommend options for the Town Plan. T. Welles will write a report. Discussion will continue.
2. Scenic Road Alteration, 77 Marchant Road, Anne and Robert Green. Request to restore crumbled section of stone wall, remove white wooden gate fencing and replace with additional stone wall, pillars and lights. Replace apron with Belgium block.
Anne Green was present. She reviewed her proposed alteration. A mockup will be inspected with the following parameters: 1) the wall will remain rural and farm-like and not flat and level or laid out with strings per description attached to
the Scenic Road Ordinance; the restored side will match the right north side; the existing wooden gate posts shall be restored and lowered; 2) the existing wooden post will support the gate; 3) the lantern in the tree shall be replaced for lighting. Downward lighting may be installed on the posts; 4) the top of the wall shall follow the contours of the land and shall not exceed three feet in height.
3. Letter from Anne Green re speeding on Marchant Road. Discussion.
D. Taylor read a letter re: speed and safety on Marchant Road. A subcommittee including N. King and T. Welles is being established to explore traffic calming measures to include Police surveillance.
4. Town Plan of Conservation & Development, John Hayes. Parcel Base Map, Land Use Map, Chapter 2 Natural Resources, Chapter 3 Land Use, Chapter 4 Population, Chapter 4/5 Cultural Resources. DUE.
Chapters were reviewed by J. Hayes. Chapter 5 is expected with ten days for discussion at the next meeting.
5 Road Regulations. Section on maintenance including dirt roads for Redding Planning Commission final review. T. Welles.
Commissioners will review newly received final draft for discussion at the next meeting to be presented to the Board of Selectmen.
6. Scenic Road Monitoring. Reports including signs.
M. Bakanas will assume monitoring of Limekiln Road for G. Meyer. D. Taylor will take over monitoring of Sidecut Road
7. Umpawaug Road boulders. Wood post and cable guard rail and No Thru Truck signs completed per Bruce Sanford’s memo.
Wood post and cable rails and No Thru Truck signs have been installed. Truck signs could be attached to existing signage.
8. Intersection of Marchant Road and Chestnut Woods, Designated Scenic Roads. Plans adjusted by B. Sanford, T. Ciriello and T. Welles. Discussion re Bruce Sanford’s memo.
The Commission concurred with B. Sanford’s recommendation that this project stay on hold pending completion of Simpaug Bridge construction.
9. Discussion re letter about sign at Diamond Hill Road and Umpawaug Road intersection.
Per N. Ketcham, Federal Regulations require break-away poles for stop signs and they may be black for a slight additional cost. The Regulation was reviewed and noted that this is only a requirement for roads with speed limits of greater than 25 mph. The Commission will request that roads with 25 mph speed limits retain their original poles.
T. Welles reported that Scenic Road signs have been installed on Poverty Hollow, Pine Tree, Cross Highway and Topstone Road.
V. PENDING
Reference Application #424, Lot #2, 3 Charlie Hill Road. Paul Garavel owner. Redding Planning Commission letter sent 5/7/07. Presentation 7/10/07. Timetable for remediation requested. Work not yet completed. Letter sent 1/11/08.
D. Taylor reviewed her recent inspection and remediation status which his currently idle.
VI. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
1. CT Federation 3/27/08 distributed.
2. Endangered Lands Coalition speaker available.
3. FOIA Workshop 3/11/08 attached.
4. CT Land Use Academy, 3/15/08. UConn Stamford.
5. Land Use Leadership workshops, March/April. Saugatuck River Watershed Partnership.
6. Visualizing density, Home CT. 3/12/08. Fairfield University.
Upcoming workshops reviewed. Anyone interested should contact C. Keil at the Land Use Office.
On the motion of M. Bakanas, the Commission voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 11:50 p.m.
Submitted by:
Kristi C. Reilly
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