Present: Frank Taylor; Chairman, Gerry Casiello; Vice Chairman, Joseph Ventricelli, Ben Gordon, John Shaban and Amy Atamian
Absent: Marshall Sanford and Gary Miyashiro
Also Present: Tom Gormley, ZEO and Dennis Tobin, Assistant ZEO
REGULAR MEETING
Chairman Frank Taylor called the regular meeting of the Redding Zoning Commission
to order at 7:30 p.m. Mr. Shaban was seated for Mr. Sanford.
1. Lombardi II of Georgetown, 22 Main Street Georgetown
The applicant was present and explained that their proposal is for a ground level deck for the purposes of outdoor dining. No parking spaces will be lost for this deck. Flowers will be put around the deck when it is completed. As part of this proposal, they will also be enclosing the dumpsters.
The applicant assured the Commission that there would be no roof or walls for this deck and also indicated for summer outdoor dining only.
MOTION: Mr. Shaban made a motion to approve the site plan submitted by Lombardi II of Georgetown for seasonal outdoor dining on a ground level deck. Mr. Casiello seconded the motion and it was carried unanimously.
2. Joel Barlow High School
The neighboring property owners were present and stated that at one time the field has been a septic field and there was no real use of this field. They further indicated that the buffer which currently exists was put in 25 years ago and it was for the purposes of screening from the high school, which is some distance away from their home. It is inadequate for the fields as they are being used now.
Art Poltrack, Joel Barlow representative, was also present and indicated that he was told that the cheerleaders would be moved to the softball field to help alleviate the concerns by the neighbors.
The Commission requested that the school demark the area of use, which shall be at least 25 feet off the property line as well as moving the cheerleaders. The Commission also agreed that traffic cones would suffice as a marker. Mr. Gormley will follow up.
Redding Zoning Commission 7-26-06
Minutes Page 2
3. Curt and Candace Benyei, 29 Giles Hill Road
Tom Gormley explained that he had received complaints by Mr. and Mrs. Richardson regarding the work on the Benyei property. Mr. Gormley did a site inspection and also issued a cease and desist order based on the work taking place. Mr. Gormley also explained that there was concern by the Richardson’s as there is a large diameter pipe on the property line, which is going toward their property.
Ms. Benyei was present and indicated that they are having a privacy fence installed professionally. Photos were presented to the Commission. She has had all the dead and dying trees removed and additional trees will be planted. Ms. Benyei also indicated that the bumps and valleys were filled in.
Ms. Benyei also indicated that there had been a drainage swale for 30 years which was designed by the federal government. The purpose is to receive runoff from the upper driveway. New rip rap has been installed and the pipe put in. She also obtained an additional permit on July 10, 2006, to extend the loop in the driveway. In order to do this, she needed to cross the swale, which is the purpose of the pipe. A detention basin has also been installed. She feels that she has improved the situation and no water will to onto the Richardson property.
Ms. Benyei also explained that the fifteen inch pipe that currently exists could not handle the recent heavy rains and she has actually lost her front yard to this. Silt was cleaned out from the pipe, but water still went over the pipe in a subsequent storm. She continued to explain that she feels she is taking water from other properties.
Mr. and Mrs. Richardson were present and submitted photos to the Commission. They stated that the grade has been raised along the property line and the stone wall is now acting as a retaining wall. They are also concerned as they feel this is an extensive earth moving activity.
Ms. Benyei stated that she has had no dirt brought in, the dirt has only been moved around on her property.
Photos presented by the Richardson’s showed dirt piled up near the stone wall. Mr. Taylor stated that the area appears to be raised up.
Mr. Richardson presented photos of the fill being brought in.
Mr. Taylor explained that the finished grade must conform to the site plan before she can go any further.
Ms. Benyei explained that occasionally she has six horse trailers coming in and they can not get out, which is why she installed the loop for the driveway. Mr. Taylor reminded Ms. Benyei that she explained during the public hearing that she would only have hay delivery coming and going.
The Commission requested that Mr. Gormley inspect the property and anything that does not conform may need to be removed.
Redding Zoning Commission 7-26-06
Redding Zoning Commission 7-26-06
Minutes Page 3
Dan Conlin of 41 Giles Hill Road was present and commented in response to Ms. Benyei’s comment of water coming from other properties onto her property. He indicated that his driveway did get re-paved, but it is exactly what was previously there. It is no bigger.
The Commission also requested that Mr. Gormley contact Mr. Keene, who is doing work for Ms. Benyei, and ask if anything was brought onto the site or what was moved around on the site.
Ms. Benyei’s Attorney was also present and stated that if something does not comply, they will file an amended plan.
Mr. Taylor indicated that the only work to be done is for the purposes of stabilization.
Mr. Richardson invited the Commission on his property to view the work done on the Benyei property.
Phyllis Wasko of 33 Giles Hill Road questioned the status of the land management plan.
4. Georgetown Fire District, Georgetown, CT
Dan Conlin, Architect was present and explained that this building was once a filling station and
is now a deli. It sits on top of the Gilbert and Bennett Brook. DEP has been contacted as well as
the Stream Channel Encroachment. A letter was submitted to the Commission by the Stream
Channel Encroachment, which indicated that they have no jurisdiction on this matter.
They are five feet above the flood elevation.
The Conservation Commission has granted approval and the Zoning Board of Appeals has also
granted a variance for the addition to the back of the building.
The curb cuts will be closed off of Route 107.
There will also be an addition on the front of the building.
An easement will be needed by the Fire Department to access the Fire District Property.
The building will be taken down and the grease pits will be removed.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF JULY 12, 2006
MOTION: Mr. Casiello made a motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of
July 12, 2006 as submitted. Mr. Shaban seconded the motion and it was carried
unanimously.
COMMUNICATIONS
Mr. Taylor reviewed the communications.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Mr. Casiello made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:32 p.m. Mr. Gordon seconded the motion and it was carried unanimously.
Filed subject to approval,
Respectfully Submitted,
Dorothy Torres, Clerk
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