2007-09-20
Berlin Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes
September 20, 2007
I Call to Order
The Berlin Planning and Zoning Commission held a Regular Meeting on
September 20, 2007 in the Town Council Chambers, 240 Kensington Road.
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M..
Present
Chairman Bruce Moore
Commissioners Ronald Edelson, Kevin A. Murphy, Kevin J. Murphy, Robert Weiss
Alternate Commissioners Brad Parsons (seated), Steve Wollman (seated)
Director of Development Services Hellyn Riggins
Excused
Commissioners Carey, Kaczynski
Alternate Commissioner Terri Paventi
II Review/Acceptance of Minutes
a. August 23, 2007
Commissioner Weiss moved to approve the minutes, as presented.
Commissioner Parsons seconded the motion which carried unanimously, with two
abstentions (Commissioner Kevin A. Murphy and Commissioner Kevin J. Murphy).
III Scheduling of Public Hearings
a. Special Permit Use Application of Christian Life Church for a
Nursery School (Preschool)/Child Day Care at Lot 31W, Block 69,
496 Kensington Road Suggested Date: October 25, 2007
Commissioner Kevin A. Murphy moved to schedule the hearing for October 25, 2007.
Commissioner Wollman seconded the motion which carried unanimously.
IVOther Business
a. Review and update of matters related to the
new Sand and Salt Storage Shed
Mr. Arthur Simonian, Town Engineer, provided an update for the plans for the new Sand
and Salt Storage Shed. He reviewed a site map and GIS map showing the location of the
shed. He stated in his assessment of the needs for the department, he selected a product
for the treated salt which requires less material and, therefore, the size of the facility is
Berlin Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes – September 20, 2007 – Page 2
reduced by 30% to a 70’ x 80’ structure. The request for quotation was shortlisted to
three firms and Merit Construction, Deming Road, Berlin received the contract. Some
items, including landscaping and electrical work, were removed from the contract and
will be done by town employees. The project still has to receive approval from the
Zoning Board of Appeals for setbacks for the frontage and will also need Planning &
Zoning Commission and Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission approvals, as
well. The proposed structure will be constructed of wood and will be 42 feet in height.
The projected completion date is the Spring of 2008.
No action was taken.
Commissioner Weiss moved to move the following agenda item to be next considered by
the commission:
V Old Business
a. Fill Permit Application of Stephen Toussaint for +/- 200 c.y. of
material at Lot 5H-1, Block 12, 35 Woods Edge Court
Commissioner Kevin A. Murphy seconded the motion which carried unanimously.
Ms. Riggins stated that Mr. Toussaint was present. She stated the plan has been reviewed
by Town Engineer Simonian.
Mr. Simonian stated the plan was satisfactory.
Commissioner Kevin J. Murphy moved to approve the application.
Commissioner Parsons seconded the motion which carried unanimously.
Commissioner Weiss moved to move the following agenda item to be next considered by
the commission:
VII New Business
b. Amendment to an Approved Subdivision of Chris Pettinelli
to remove 904 c.y. of material from Lot 7-2, 295 Elton Road
Commissioner Kevin A. Murphy seconded the motion which carried unanimously.
Mr. Chris Pettinelli, 295 Elton Road, stated there is a steep elevation behind his house
and the request is to lower the grade to provide a more usable area for his family.
Town Engineer Simonian stated his opinion that the proposal will help with drainage of
the site. He stated staff comments should be considered. Those comments are:
1) Design surface swale along southerly boundary with Lot 7-3, 5’ within
and along boundary to direct all surface runoff away from Lot 7-3. Design
to include spot finish grades every 25 feet.
2) Remove 4” drain from front yard discharge onto Elton Road.
3) Stake lot corners prior to start of construction.
4) Bond for site restoration.
Berlin Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes – September 20, 2007 – Page 3
5) The homeowner is responsible to repair any damage to Elton Road due to truck
traffic from material removal.
Chairman Moore suggested that commissioners conduct individual site walks.
Mr. Pettinelli stated he had removed about twelve trees that had exposed roots from the
site because he had a concern about their falling toward his house. He stated about thirty
trees remain. He stated he had asked the developer of the site, Thomas Coccomo, if a
walk-out basement would be a viable option and was told it would be. He stated it was
his own initiative to cut the trees.
Ms. Riggins stated she will ask the developer to be present at the next meeting.
Commissioner Weiss moved to continue the agenda item to the next meeting.
Commissioner Kevin J. Murphy seconded the motion which carried unanimously.
b. Review, in accordance with Section 8-24 of the Connecticut
General Statutes, for matters related to the Worthington Meeting
House
Ms. Lorraine Stub and Mr. Roy Wiseman, representatives for the Worthington Meeting
House Committee, were present.
Ms. Stub stated additional funding will be sought as the project progresses. She briefly
described the layout of the building. Utilities will be brought in and an elevator installed
during the current, Phase I.
Mr. Roy Wiseman said there will be exhibition space for the Berlin Historical Society
and meeting rooms will be available. The second floor will be an area of unfinished attic
space.
Commissioner Edelson moved to forward a favorable recommendation to the Town
Council for an agreement between the Town of Berlin and Friends of the Worthington
Meeting House, Inc. regarding renovations to the Meeting House and a lease agreement
with the Berlin Historical Society, Inc.
Commissioner Kevin A. Murphy seconded the motion which carried unanimously.
c. Review, in accordance with Section 8-24 of the Connecticut
General Statutes, for the design and placement of Town of Berlin
“Gateway Signs”
Commissioner Weiss noted there are no areas shown on the sign for space for emblems
for civic organizations on the signs.
Ms. Riggins stated the Economic Development Commission has selected the logo for the
signs and their locations in town.
Berlin Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes – September 20, 2007 – Page 4
Commissioner Weiss asked the following if the signs will replace current signs or be
placed in addition to them and if references to civic organizations will be shown on the
signs. He asked who would perform maintenance of the signs.
Ms. Riggins stated she would contact Economic Development Director James Mahoney
and provide those answers at the next meeting.
Commissioner Kevin A. Murphy moved to table the agenda item.
Commissioner Weiss seconded the motion which carried unanimously.
VI Requests for Reductions/Releases
a. Request of Michael P. Piscatelli for a bond release, Sage Pond
Place, Berlin Turnpike
Mr. Robert Piscatelli, Merit Construction, was present.
Ms. Riggins stated the Engineering Department and she were comfortable with the bond
reduction.
Commissioner Weiss moved to reduce the bond to $15,400.
Commissioner Kevin J. Murphy seconded the motion which carried unanimously.
VII New Business
a. Site Plan Amendment of Mid Sun Group for a sign at
Hatchery Brook Homes, Four Rod Road
Mr. Bart Bovee, P.E., MBA Engineering, was present on behalf of the applicant.
Ms. Riggins stated Police and Engineering comments stating no concerns were included
in the meeting package.
After discussion, Commissioner Kevin J. Murphy moved to approve the site plan
amendment with the following condition:
a. The applicant will work with staff regarding any final details of the sign.
Commissioner Parsons seconded the motion which carried unanimously.
c. Site Plan Amendment of Karwowski LLC for a restaurant
at Lot 14, Block 28, 237 New Britain Road
Mr. Jack Guilmartin, Hewitt Engineering, stated the applicant had been scheduled to be
on the last Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission agenda; however, that
meeting had been canceled due to a lack of a quorum.
Mr. Craig Laliberte, Laliberte Architects, Ivoryton, CT, provided a brief overview of the
project. He showed the commission a picture of a building in Poland which is the design
Berlin Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes – September 20, 2007 – Page 5
of the building which the Karwowski’s prefer. Mr. Laliberte said he would bring the
picture back to the next meeting and did not submit it for the record. He stated the
proposed interior of the building is 6,400 square feet. The loading area will be located
behind the building. He stated catering will also be done at the site. A ground sign with
exterior illumination is proposed.
Commissioner Kevin A. Murphy moved to table the agenda item to the October 25, 2007
meeting to allow the applicant to attend the Inland Wetlands and Water Courses
Commission at the beginning of October.
The meeting adjourned at 8:15 P.M.
VIII Commissioners’ Comments
IX Director’s Comments
X Communications
XI Adjournment
Respectfully submitted,
Frances M. Semnoski
Recording Secretary