2006/10/10
TOWN OF BERLIN
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2006
Members Present:
Michael DeLorenzo, ChairmanGuy Hoffman
Steven SokolowskiChristina Berger
Peter F. ReganRev. Frederick Raap
James Matulis
Hellyn Riggins, Dir. Development Services
Juliet Benjamin, Secretary
Absent:
Karl G. LewisRichard Hans
1. CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman DeLorenzo called the meeting to order @ 6:30 P.M.
2. AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS:
None
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2006:
Commissioner Sokolowski made a motion to accept the Minutes of
Tuesday, September 12, 2006, as written. Seconded by Commissioner Raap &
unanimously approved.
4. NEW BUSINESS:
A. C.P. Investments/Thomas Coccomo, Lot 2/Block 107 Orchard
Rd/Berlin Turnpike – Zone Change Request – Commissioners reviewed the
submitted site plan. The Applicant is requesting that the Planning & Zoning
Commission allow a zone change from R-43 to BT (Commercial).
Commissioners stated a concern for a drive through window and exit from the
parking areas onto a residential street. Commissioners were in agreement that
a zone change of this type should be or should have been addressed to the Plan
of Conservation & Development Committee when the POCD was being put
together. This zone change request does not meet the intent of the Plan of
Conservation & Development nor the comprehensive zoning plan of the Town of
Berlin.
B. Reservoir Hills LLC – Reservoir Rd. – 15 lot Open Space
Subdivision – Coccomo Brothers, Owner, 1897 Berlin Turnpike – Site plan
review – (Total acreage 30.5 acres). Commissioners reviewed the plan for
fifteen lots and offered comments. Commissioner Sokolowski noted that the
open space as shown on the plan is almost all wetlands. Wetlands should be
excluded when compiling the number of lots within the subdivision and there
should not be more lots than allowed in a conventional subdivision.
Commissioners also noted that the 50’ wetland setback almost touches the
Conservation Commission Minutes -10/10/2006 - Page 2
back of some of the proposed houses. Commissioners concerned that the
wetlands should be protected which does not seem possible with the close
proximity of the homes. This plan should also be referred to the New Britain
Water Authority since the property is near one of their working reservoirs.
5. OLD BUSINESS:
A. USE OF TOWN LANDS – Hellyn Riggins, Dir. Development Services
reviewed the results of last weeks Planning & Zoning hearing on Broadview.
She noted that the Planning & Zoning Commission, after testimony, voted that
the land is Industrial and voted to deny all applications for housing.
Chairman DeLorenzo stated that he had had a conversation with Mayor
Salina regarding the need for a formal wetland review/buffer zone for the Town
to help protect the wetland and watercourse resources in our town.
Chairman DeLorenzo also discussed the State DEP requirement that the
town needs to designate an existing commission to act as the aquifer protection
agency for the town. The Town Council is in the process of deciding which
commission should take on this role and Chairman DeLorenzo will work with
the Town Council and other commissions to help facilitate this requirement.
Commissioner Hoffman requested that Zoning Enforcement look into the
Elton Road development project runoff problems.
B. OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION –
C. OPEN SPACE PUBLICATION – K. PIERSON, UPDATE – “STUDY OF
TOWN-OWNED OPEN SPACE, OCTOBER 1994” – Chairman DeLorenzo noted
that he had spoken with Ms. Pierson and she is trying to wrap up the Power
Point and Management Plan and is waiting for some additional information
from Commissioner Lewis. She also has to contact Town Manager
Middlebrooks regarding her contract.
D. SCHEER/TOMASSO LAND MANAGEMENT PLAN
6. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS:
7. CORRESPONDENCE:
8. ADJOURNMENT:
Commissioner Raap moved to adjourn the meeting @7:55 P.M.
Seconded by Commissioner Hoffman & unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Juliet K. Benjamin, Secretary